12ga muzzle loader

[luckydawg13]

i would like to get a 12ga muzzle loader to hunt turkey with can you tell me
who makes a good one or a good kit to get or a good used one to look for
single barrel or side by side
thanks

[Rock Home Isle]

For a good quality mass production side by side muzzle loader...Pedersoli makes a great product. I have a Pedersoli light upland 12 gauge in a strait stock that was made back in the 70's, and it has really stood the test of time. I've used it on pheasants, quail, doves, rabbits and ducks. It is light, fast and fun to shoot whether at the trap range or in the field. Unfortunately this particular item is no longer manufactured  by the company. But their current 12 gauges are every bit the quality of my old smokepole. The current shotguns are made with blued barrels and can be readily purchased from either Cabela's or Dixie Gun Works. The newer models now come with screw-in chokes...so for turkey, goose...whatever you wanted to use if for, the Pedersoli would be  my top recomendation. They have gotten pretty pricey in the last several years.
 
Another option would be to search some of the online firearms auction sites looking for good quality used items. If that is an option then I would add Pietta as a brand to consider. I have a Pietta 10 gauge side by side that has heavy blue barrels and has functioned flawlessly for me. The Pietta 10 has been with me on many hunts and has accounted for many limits of ducks & geese over the years. I've even fired light loads out of it to take a few doves. Its a heavy gun and not a lot of fun to lug around in rough country for grouse and such, so that is why I got the Pedersoli light upland model. I would say that the Pietta 12 gauge model would be of a similar quality if it was well taken care of by its owner. Its a risk buying used items unless you know what to look for and how to see abuse in an item.
 
CVA used to make a great side by side 12 gauge shotgun. I believe that you could get it choked Full/Full or Improved Cylinder. The Full Choked barrels tear up wadding for me; the improved cylinder system is what I have tried to buy for several years now. If you come across a good CVA side by side that was taken care of by its owner...That would be a very good buy as well...In my opinion.

[linoww]

i would like to get a 12ga muzzle loader to hunt turkey with can you tell me
who makes a good one or a good kit to get or a good used one to look for
single barrel or side by side
thanks

I like my TC New Englander 12ga single shot.Bubba50 has a 12ga barrel only for $225 shipped that is available. It is the one that takes Winchoke pattern Choke tubes.

George

[luckydawg13]

thanks for all the info i like the looks of the Pedersoli need to go up to
my Cabelas to see if they have one. on the New Englander is this a hard gun to find

[Rock Home Isle]

i would like to get a 12ga muzzle loader to hunt turkey with can you tell me
who makes a good one or a good kit to get or a good used one to look for
single barrel or side by side
thanks

I like my TC New Englander 12ga single shot.Bubba50 has a 12ga barrel only for $225 shipped that is available. It is the one that takes Winchoke pattern Choke tubes.

George

The New Englander is an awesome shot gun. The gun is well made, reliable and has a lot of eye appeal. I'm not a fan of blued barrels on Blackpowder firearms, but for the New Englander...Yeah, I'll make an exception. My dad has both an old Belgium (1850's era) double barrel and a New Englander; between the two I learned how to shoot blackpowder smooth bores. The New Englander's a fun gun to take hunting. With its short barrel, the gun is a very fast handling firearm, quick to mount against the shoulder and smooth on the follow through.
 
The single barrel makes it a much better choice for a person that is just learning how to use a blackpowder shotgun. Pouring powder, ramming wads, dumping shot and ramming more wadding...it can get a might confusing shooting a double barrel when the game is flocking in and the shooting is fast.
 
I didn't mention the New Englander or the CVA Trapper because I thought that the OP wanted a side by side. But if a good quality single barrel is on the table as a choice...then I would recommend going to the TVM website and looking into a smooth bore. The barrels come standard in 36 " or 42 " lengths. If those choices are not to your liking then for a nominal cost they will cut the barrel to any length you desire. I have an Early Virginia Flintlock, 20 gauge smoothbore, brass furniture, & a ++P curly maple stock on order. Got an email and was just notified last Monday that I'll have it in the next 3 to 4 weeks. They wanted me to look over my order and make sure that everything was as I wanted it to be, before they started work on the gun. Great customer service.
 
Going semi custom, like a TVM, has its draw backs though. I ordered my 20 gauge back in September, so it'll be a 9 month wait if the gun arrives in May. The other downside is price. Customs and semi-customs are not cheap...but with a good Pedersoli Double going for $800.00 +/-....for a few houndred dollars more you have a gun that is custom made just for you with furnishings and in a style that you selected. 

[bubba.50]

12ga new englander guns/barrels are somewhat rare and barrels alone typically go for 300 bucks or more on evil-bay. if ya want one just for the stock/lock/trigger etc a pyrodex junky can sometimes be found at pawnshops or gunshows for less than 100 bucks. good condition shooters can be had at the same sources plus gunbroker and similar sites for 200 or less. for what it's worh and have a good'en friend, bubba.

[P.A. Myers]

Locally a New Englander may be hard to find. Online there are lots and if you don't care about the condition of the barrel, they can be cheap. A 12g NE is hard to find. EZ to assemble yourself.