Traditions .50 caplock questions.

[JimG]

I've been looking at BP rifles lately, both modern and traditional. Would prefer something traditional but am considering them all. Found a Traditions brand .50 cal caplock w/1 in 48" twist barrel. I'm pretty sure it's new and unfired. Has a couple very tiny dings in the stock. Looks alright (crude to a degree but ok) other than that. The shop wants $150 for it. Not sure of the model but it has a thin glued on? (no screws??) hard rubber butpad, wood stock, 1-48" twist, .50 cal, case hardened colored caplock, the barrel and other hardware is blued (no shiny brass other than the wedge plates on either side of the stock and the front sight), one barrel wedge. Does not look like a 'kit gun'. Single trigger. Steel trigger guard. huge buckhorn type rear sight. That's about the best in detail I can give. Any ideas or suggestions here? I simply cannot afford a Lyman GP or T/C Hawken or a Pedersoli. However I don't want to buy this and have to buy another in a year or two because this is a 'junk' gun. I know the old adage of you get what you pay for. If I go modern it will likely be a NEF Sidekick in wood with blued steel, no stainless for me. That will run me about the same in cost. BUT I was wanting a good RB rifle and the fast 1-28" twist of the Sidekick will not be conducive to that. At any rate anybody own or have owned a Traditions caplock? If so what's the good, bad and ugly on them? Thanks in advance.

[JimG]

Looked up Traditions website, looks like an older version of the 'Deerhunter' model.

[slayer]

For about $10 more, you would be better served with the Sidekick. Unless they take $100 or less for the Traditions, I would pass. Jack.

[savageT]

JimG,
I have a Traditions caplock in 50cal.  This is the second one, as they exchanged the first that was a Cabela's/Traditions 50cal. caplock w/ 1:48 twist.  I was never able to find a decent load for the first rifle so I sent it back to Traditions....they agreed!  Long story short, they told me they would replace it with something similar but a little newer model w/o the wedge pin.  This has a removable breach plug.  This one has a tight bore, but I've found the accuracy and consistancy to be excellent once I started using Powerbelt's and loose triple 7 powder.

Jim

[lostid]

Boy,, That's a tough call Jim. And I'm from the olde school.
 The 1-48 is not all bad. Traditions arms are not all bad. But for 150$ secound hand?, and wanting/needing too learn the nuance of Black Powder Round ball shooting? I'd nix that gun.
 Like another poster said, if you can get it for a hunney,,we'll all help ya make it shoot good. But, that's not really a good beginners gun for that price. I spent 25 less than 150 for a new traditions hawkin "lefty" for my son, with a 1-66 twist just 3 years ago. So don't buy just because you can! Thanks fer checking in first,,your at least thinking and doing research. Hat's off to ya!  

[JimG]

Well I went ahead and bought it anyhow :roll: . Here's why- Even though I enjoy shooting my NEF's/H-R's and the Sidekick likely would of been a fine gun I have really wanted a traditional caplock or flintlock for years. I have the ability to 'tinker' a little with guns and the thought of having to work with this gun a bit does not scare me. NO and I mean NO gun dealer has had a single traditional BP gun for the last couple of years now as the modern inline craze has taken over the market here. This has also boosted the retail prices on BP guns and BP powder considerably. I also live in IL. We have some stiff and idiotic gun laws compared to the ret of you. IL, CA, and MA gun owners are not 'free' as the rest of the country is. I have to fill out a 4473 form and show my "FOID" card (gun owners card) to buy anything short of a Daisy Red Ryder BB gun. In IL every thing is a firearm unless it's .177 and shoots slower than 700 fps or is a bow and such is subject to a waiting period and a background check and the 4473 form (except for air rifles over the .177/700fps which then you only have to show your "FOID" card to purchase them). My point being is that guns here cost more than elsewhere (yes I've checked) and unless it the latest and greatest, most dealers don't bother to stock OR even order such guns. I was told last year by a dealer that he won't even order a T/C traditional BP gun because it was not worth the hassel. We don't even have gun shows here (if you know of one let me know!!!)! As the state police want background checks on every firearm transaction now at gun shows (even private citizen to private citizen).  Soooo..... I'm tickled to death that I've even found a traditional BP rifle! If it's a servicable model then that's even better. After doing much reasearch on the net I've found that generally speaking Traditions flintlocks are not worth buying unless you want to replace the lock. However their caplocks are usually OK. Not great but they are a servicable, reasonably accurate gun. So I can only hope that I can work up a load for a round ball or Maxiball type loadings and that it does not break after the first shot! :roll:

[JimG]

Oh and I can't pick it up till monday 10:00 am. Even though it was paid for at 10:00 am saturday. So I'll pick up some Pyrodex RS (no such thing as black powder here, I'll have to order some) and some of the other needed stuff like powder measures and a ball starter and some caps and patches and such and see if I can't make some smoke next week.  :grin:

[Gun Runner]

JimG, bought my son in law one for Christmass several years ago. He had never shot B/P. Took him out and let hime make some smoke and bang. Adj. the sights and had him shooting pyrodex "RS" and a patched ball. At 50 yds he was hitting  cans pertty regular. Just for sport I cast my own R/B and maxi boolits. Have a tap-o-cap for making my own caps (midsouthshooters) He learned that shooting B/P dont miss cause its a long time till the next shot is ready.
Was trying to get a B/P deer hunt in last eason with sever of his friends but at last min. they thought it was to much trouble. It was their idea for the hunt.

Gun Runner

[slayer]

How do you guys get Pyrodex to go off consitently in your side cappers? My Renegade hates it. Maybe try the Hot Shot Nipple and CCI #11 Magnum caps? Jack.

[lostid]

So I can only hope that I can work up a load for a round ball or Maxiball type loadings and that it does not break after the first shot! :roll:

   Ok ,,I'm in,, I'll help. when ya get over that "new gun gotta shoot it" part, and the cleaning and lube and the patch size advise from all the different people gets old,,check in again. I'll help ya tune that lock,clean the bore, set the pin and file the sights. Patch, Lube,Powder and Ball;? Oh ya,, but you'll need to get some shooting done first,, :-)

[spitpatch]

My, my, my, what an ego mr. Lostid has! To assume every one elses advice will get old and his is the only one worth taking. I'd be willing to bet between the contributors here, there has been more years of bullets shot than Mr. Lostid has been alive. "There is saftey and wisdom in the counsel of many, and only a fool takes the counsel of a few". (the Holy Bible). This is not to abase Mr. Lostid's knowledge......he may very well be good, but to imply that he's the only one who's got Knowledge is arrogant and wrong.