Black Powder Rifle

steelhead_fishn · 05-28-2002, 08:04 AM

I'm looking at getting into black powder hunting. Does anyone have any suggestions for a decent entry level black powder rifle for deer and elk?

Thanks,

Jeff

Don Becker · 05-28-2002, 04:36 PM

If you're going "traditional", I don't think you can beat (nor go wrong) with the .50 Hawkin that Cabela's generally has in their catalog for about $189. My partners and I have hunted for deer and elk with "smokepoles" for years (we also hunt with centerfires . . . 'just depends on what hunts we apply for/draw) and that is exactly what my brother did when he decided to join us a few years back . . . . in fact, he's still hunting with that rifle. I have NO OPINION re the inlines. You can spend a lot more money, later, if you decide you like smokepole hunting . . . . . Don

[ 05-28-2002, 05:38 PM: Message edited by: Don Becker ]

TheRogue · 05-28-2002, 05:32 PM

Remembering of course, that Oregon has switched to much more stringent rules for the "traditional" smoke poles. Open ignition, no pellets, no sabots. Factor that into whatever you look at!!

kyle

sliverpicker · 05-28-2002, 06:36 PM

I bought one of Cabelas .54 cal Hawken's several years ago. Shoots great, and the workmanship is very good for the price. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another!

kenai · 05-28-2002, 07:32 PM

Take a look at the Lyman great plains rifle. It comes in 50 and 54 cal. It also comes in a hunter version with a faster twist for sabots. Cabelas used to sell these for around 350.00 and you wont find a better smokepole for the money.

JCJ · 05-28-2002, 09:21 PM

The Lyman Great Plains rifle is fine for whatever we run into around here.I would get the 54 cal. which will work for deer or elk.If you are going to do any shooting at any roundevous in the area,then get the slow twist,better for round ball.Its an excellent out of the box rifle.just put the fixed sights on it, which they have in the box, rather than the adjustable ones.Best price I have seen is out of Mid South s******* supply in Tenn.Look at their web page for it.Last year I got one for 268 delivered to the front door.

Lured In · 05-29-2002, 02:17 PM

I have the Sporsterized Hawken from Cabelas in .54 cal and love it. I got a .50 cal CVA percussion for a buddy and its got a camo composite stock, black barrel and 1 in 28" twist. Shoots conicals (not sabots) real well, but a little shaky on round ball. Personally I would go with 1 in 68" twist for round ball if I could do it again, but the 1 in 48" for the Hawken is pretty versatile.

Fish-n-finn · 05-29-2002, 02:54 PM

My dad and I bought two kits from I believe CVA back when I was 12 years old. We had a good time building the 50 cal. percussion guns and a lot of fun shooting them. Still have them both but I have not used them hunting for many years.

Don Becker · 05-29-2002, 09:08 PM

Both my .45 Kentucky and my .50 Mountain Rifles are CVA . . . . the .45 Kentucky has tipped-over several deer since I assembled it from a kit some 23 - 24 years ago. The .50 was factory assembled . . . it has yet to see blood . . . but, then, I haven't hunted black-powder for Elk that many years and, as I mentioned in my earlier post, I also hunt centerfire (7mm.06 and .308 Norma magnum).

crabbait · 06-03-2002, 08:53 PM

I applied for a black powder tag this year. I heard that Thompson Contender makes the best rifle. Any thoughts? Anyone using one?

JCJ · 06-03-2002, 11:44 PM

Yep T/C makes an excellent rifle but as stated previously my vote goes to the Lyman GPR.Get it in the 1 in 66 twist for round ball and it will get the job done for you.I would go 54 cal. as it will work for deer and elk.Best prices Mid South Supply.

JCJ · 06-04-2002, 12:02 AM

Lyman Great Plains Rifle in 54 cal. at www.midsouths*******supply.com about 287 for the finished gun or about 240 for the kit. [img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img]

HarpMan · 06-05-2002, 07:13 AM

Austin & Halleck 50 cal.!!!!!

Timber · 06-06-2002, 06:03 PM

I have a cabela's .54 hawken and it shoots fine. I also have a .54 remington inline it shoots awsome. do yourself a big favor and please don't hunt with round balls I shoot a 388gr. maxi I make. there is no comparrison in ballistics or effects on a elk. Tim

bllelk · 06-06-2002, 11:09 PM

Luthian- I'm not going to tell you what rifle may be best for you. But do let me say, "keep your powder dry!" Over the years I've had mis fires from using year old percussion caps, leaving the rifle charged over night, not firing a cap before loading to burn out the oil, rain, snow and last year bringing the rifle into my truck after hunting in severe cold, where it warmed up, then going out again in the cold. Black powder and pyrodex soak up misure like you can't believe. Masking tape over the muzzle is only the beginning. Good luck, it's fun. The best elk hunt I ever went on was where everyone got a shot and nobody touched a hair.