I wanted to get into ML and my local gunshop (I like to support local businesses) has one for sale with a stainless steel barrel for $160.

Is this a good ML? Should I go for a different one? Pros and cons of the gun?

I tried a search on this forum and came up with nothing.

Thanks in advance

Traditions makes a great line of Muzzle Loaders. I have a Traditions Evelution .50 The company says this gun is capable of handling a magnum load (150gr of powder). I shot a mag load and was not impressed on how it handled and how it litterly blew the primer apart. Too much back preasure. What ever you look into make sure it can handle a magnum load. Other than I love mine.

Never heard of it. The barrel is also more than likely Nickel, Not SS. $160 seems a little steep.

First off, I question whether it is a stainless barrel or a nickel plated barrel. Tradition's made three different Thunder rifles. There was a .45 caliber with a 1:20 twist that had some real accuracy issues. It was hard to find a good load for them. For that reason, if it were a .45 caliber I might pass on it. Then there was the .50 caliber Thunder rifle with a 1:28 twist. While this was not a magnum rifle it still shot 100 grains of powder and was an all around good rifle with a sabot. Then came the Thunder Magnum with a 1"32 twist I believe it was.

Is it worth $100.00? Take the breech plug out and look down that bore. Look for rust, pitting, and bad spots in there. Then look at the threads of the rifle where the breech plug goes. Look for disrupted threads, screw the breech plug in slow and "feel" if something does not turn right. There are still breech plugs out there for them. Also look that bolt over real close. Check it for wear, and rust.

What I am getting at is.. there are brand new Buckhorn Magnums at Wal Mart right now for $109.00. They have a double locking lug system instead of the single locking lug like the Thunder. That nickel finish will stain and it is not stainless. It will rust just like any other barrel. If all you want is an entry level rifle out there.. why buy used? Get new, get a warranty. Get a rifle that if something goes wrong, then you can get it fixed. Not that Tradition's would not fix the Thunder. But sometimes wanting to support the local economy is fine and good but not practical.

Thanks for the input. I decided, after lots of reading and great advice on this board to go with a TC Omega and ditch the Traditions idea.

T/C Omega was not one of the most popular rifles sold for many years without good reason. I am sure that will be a rifle that will last you the rest of your life.

For starting out it is not a bad rig. I have a Lightning bolt both in 1:28 and a 1:32 and they shoot awesome if you take care of your gun. The price is not to bad and since your starting out you can get the feel of muzzleloading. If you don't like it your not out all that much than if you went and bought a TC at 700 dollars and didn't like it. All 10 of my rigs like the Shockwaves in 250 with 100 grains of Pyrodex. All can shoot the 150 loads but why? With the 100 I get tighter patterns at 100 yards, my limit. I've taken deer at 5 yds to 70 yds and they are great. Look the gun over good, the shop should let you take it apart or have them do it and shine a light in the bore, if the bore is shiny and the breech plug and action work it's a keeper worth shooting. Here's my baby brand new when I bought her and after the years when the affliction becomes the addiction.


http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p119/gotbuck1127/gun1.jpg

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Ijust want to comment on Tradition's electro-plated nickel finish. I think that it's a durable &good quality finish. It cleans up easier than unplated steel too. The Traditions Deerhunter is plated with a tough nickel finishoutside and inside the barrel which seems to be "slicker" when loading too.
Maybe nickel offersan advantage overregular steel, and possibly even over stainlessin that respect.
Nickel offers some additional rust resistance over regular steel as well.