Need help with black powder rifle

[Sparkey]

Need some advice on a basic black powder rifle. I am looking to pick something up learn how to use it and become proficient with it for blackpowder deer season. I have no idea who makes a decent gun and what I should be looking for I know I can't use a break open style. But other then that I have no clue. Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks

 

[hunter46spring]

You cant go wrong with a Thompson Center. They are a great value. You have to decide what type of BP rifle to buy....Modern in line, percussion cap, flint lock? unless you are determined to go the more traditional route a modern in line would be my sugestion for ease of use and accuracy
_Hunter

 

[MisterHappy]

Best bet is to ask around your Club, if you have one. A fair bit of BP "tech" is best passed down one-on-one, and an experiened BP shooter can reduce the learning curve.

I second Hunter's opinion of T/C, too.

Have fun!

 

[MARINE96]

Look into the Thompson Center Omega line. The basic work horse model is a great rifle.

 

[JohnFH]

Just as an FYI, any one interested in learning to shoot black powder/muzzle loader rifles is more than welcome to join me at my club in Colebrook CT

 

[flugie]

I just happen to have a Thompson Center .50 cal White Mountain carbine im looking to sell.PM me if interested for details...

 

[Sparkey]

Johnfh Thanks for the offer I will probably take you up on your offer when I decide on a gun. Thanks everybody else for the input

 

[Taipan01]

The state has a good amount of courses to offer, free of charge, on many aspects of outdoor activities besides the basic hunting course. I've taken many of them and their pretty good as both a refresher and basic/starting knowledge. I never see them mentioned in these threads. Anyway, heres their link of courses and time/locations:

http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/education/hed/hed_course_schedule.htm

Unfortunatly, they only have one more black powder listed this year in September but it'd be a drive for you as it's up in Andover and starts at 7:00 on multiple nights. If you could swing it, I'd suggest you take it and if you do, make sure you sign up for it on line or it may fill up on you and you'll be s.o.l.. The map and compass is another good one if your orientering skills are a bit rusty. Anyway, hope this helps.

 

[mac1911]

I came into a omega 50cal, easy to use, I fired 3 shots @ 100yards with 180g and 2 pyrodex pellets. Followed the directions and put all 3 shots in the black ring of a SR-1 target off the bench. I was surprised the sights where set as well as they where.

 

[Woodstock]

One more vote for the Thompson Center line. I recommend stainless barrel, fiberglas stock, unless you really dig cleaning. Just be sure it complies with the MA rules & regs. A good dealer will help you. Also, most clubs will have a bunch of black powder guys who would be glad to help you.
The BP season is my favorite - fewer hunters, cooler weather, no bugs, maybe some snow.

 

[pupchow]

I'd gotten started with black powder last season to extend my hunting opportunities, and chose the TC Omega Z5. The Omega handles very well for me, even if it does carry some heft towards the muzzle end -- that was one of the comments I recall from the feedback I'd received on here. A fundamental characteristic of shooting black powder is cleanliness, or rather lack thereof. My TC Omega's configuration makes cleaning it about as painless as can be. And with cleaning the bore between every shot, that ease is realized frequently. With the right tools, that task is a simple affair in the field.

http://www.tcarms.com/firearms/omega_z5.php

I find the whole BP thing to be very engaging, and it's brought new excitment to the sport for me. One surprise for me was how accurate and easy to shoot this rifle is (I'd be tempted to carry it during shotgun season, if I weren't for that Savage 220f calling my name). The experience has me thinking I'd like to try a more traditional setup at some point.