Buying Your First Rifle

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It seems like everything is getting more and more expensive, and for those just starting out, there is the temptation to shop by price alone. Right now, there appear to be a lot of muzzle loaders available at some inviting price points, but purchasing one could be a mistake, especially if you plan on doing any rendezvous shooting.

Many states have black powder hunting seasons, and for many hunters, it affords some addition woods time before the regular season. Not long ago, it was common to purchase a muzzleloader with the absolute minimum of features, and in some cases were equipped with plastic stocks instead of the more traditional wood. Times change, and today there are so many modern refinements that a mountain man from the 1800s would not recognize the modern muzzle loader (MML). Scope sights, modern synthetic stocks, primer-driven ignitions systems, and special barrels have pushed the performance of these modern muzzle loaders to levels approaching those of modern cartridge firearms. It stands to reason that if hunters want to “make meat”, they will want every possible advantage to ensure success. These modern features disqualify them from use in a black powder rendezvous. Here's why.

Sights: I seriously doubt than any 21st century hunter goes afield without a scope. But in the 1840’s environment, scopes did not exist. Trappers relied on front and rear open sights, and in the case of the smoothbore shooters, a single front sight. Shooters are required to have open front and rear sights on their rifles and pistols, and a single front sight on their trade guns.

Modern Ignition Systems: Most MMLs have In Line Ignition, a system where the flame from the percussion cap or shotgun primer goes straight into the powder charge. Traditional side-mounted percussion locks force the cap’s flame to make a 90 degree turn inside the drum, theoretically delaying the ignition. In-line ignition systems did exist, the cylinder of a percussion revolver being the most common. Muzzleloaders must reflect the technology available prior to 1838.  Underhammer and side hammer (mule ear) muzzleloaders would be acceptable for shooting at rendezvous under this stipulation. Also, avoid flintlocks. They can be too distracting when they decide to get fussy.

Bullets: One of the big advances in modern hunting muzzleloaders is the introduction of the sabot slug. Here a relatively heavy, pointed projectile is encased in a plastic capsule, or sabot, which takes the place of the traditional linen patch. The bullet itself is much heavier than the convention round ball used in an 18th century muzzle loader. SVML rules stipulate that only patched lead round ball may be used.

Barrel Twist Rate: For those new to shooting, barrels with spiral grooves cut in their bores  are “rifled”. The grooves rotate the bullet as it travels down the bore, imparting a spin as it travels towards the target. The rates are expressed as “inches per revolution”, or how far down the barrel the bullet must travel in achieve a single revolution. Twist rates for barrels designed for round ball tend to be slower, often one turn in 66" to one turn in 72". Barrels designed to shoot sabot slugs may range from one turn in 20" to one in 36". Shooters shouldn't shoot patched round ball in one of these fast-twist barrels, as accuracy will not be at the same level as a slower twist barrel. You may encounter a rifle designed for sabot slugs, most notably the discontinued Lyman Great Plains rifle, which may look "period correct" on the outside but are bored to shoot sabots. If memory serves, the barrels are clearly marked, so if your shopping around, be careful.

Buy Or Build? It was once common to find that muzzle loading rifles  could be purchased either completely finished, or in kit form. From what  have seen, very few were properly finished, and some are actually painful to look at. Now if you skill with hand tools is better than average, you could either buy a new kit, or if your lucky, fine a poorly assembled one at a garage sale. If you have the time, you could eventually turn this sow's ear into a silk purse, but you'll be investing hours of your time. It is my opinion that you should buy a completed rifle if for no other reason that if you take good care of it, it will  hold much of its value it you decide to sell it. 

One Possible Purchase: For whatever reason, traditional muzzleloaders with round-ball twist barrels are getting harder to find. My all time favorite, the Lyman Great Plains rifle, is now imported through Pedersoli for about 30% more than before. Perhaps the niche market for muzzle loaders is dominated by hunters who demand all of the modern upgrades for their hunting rifles. While there are some kits available, I found a Traditions .50 caliber Kentucky rifle, assembled, for $506.00 and it is available here. 

One final note. Muzzle loaders are NOT consider firearms, and do not require an FFL to purchase. They can mailed directly to the purchaser unless there are shipping restrictions where you live. 

Update: April 3, 2023: Apparently Dixie Gun Works still carries the Investarms .50 Hawken. When I checked, the selling price was $550.00. You can check it out by clicking here.