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No reason to scratch...
...the itch.
My wife says I can have a new muzzle loader. And I don't have an itch to scratch. Nor do I have any need for another muzzleloader. I have 2 of them now that I have never even shot. Now here's the real rub. Are you familiar with Traditions PA Pellet Flintlock rifle? I have found where it is on sale for about $100 less than what Traditions sells it for. It would be my introduction into a sport that I swore I would never get involved. That being the sport of shooting flintlock muzzle loaders. Please talk me out of making this horrific decision a reality. Here's an interesting review. http://www.gunsamerica.com/blog/the-...ance-firearms/ |
It's a blast to be honest. The Lyman Deerstalker is a much better choice in Flintlocks in my experience.
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The Lyman Deerstalker is over 200 dollars more and doesn't have a removable breech plug. I like that option and the Traditions is the only flintlock I am aware of that offers it. I also believe that the adjustable single trigger assembly on a traditions sidelock is second to none.
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Originally Posted by pluckit
(Post 4045908)
The Lyman Deerstalker is over 200 dollars more and doesn't have a removable breech plug. I like that option and the Traditions is the only flintlock I am aware of that offers it. I also believe that the adjustable single trigger assembly on a traditions sidelock is second to none.
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You shouldn't buy it because...
You know you came to the wrong place to be talked out of a muzzleloader. So just post pictures when you get it. |
I wish I could help you pluckit but I've been afflicted by the rock sparkers ailment. :confused0024:
 So my advice is to just get it over with.:happy0001: HA |
I once attempted to purchase that exact rifle. I ordered the PA Pellet Flintlock 50 caliber. It has a 1-48 twist. And they shoot roundball and sabots very well from people who own them have told me. So I ordered one, the online store said it was in stock, then they emailed and said the one I ordered had been sold and were going to send me a camouflage model. I told them no thanks.. I like my rock locks natural looking.
The reason I was going to purchase one was because of the recommendations of two owners. Also, this is one that on the newer models I believe you can take the breech plug out of them for easier cleaning. But don't quote me on that. Also I have two Tradition Flintlocks. Both of them have excellent, fast locks. They are very good shooters. I instead purchased the Traditions Woodsman (better wood) in 50 caliber and it is a great flintlock rifle. I was in the same boat as you.. I had an itch and could not see a rifle that scratched it. That was why I did what I did.. This last purchase should scratch me nice and deep and keep that itch at bay. |
I was checking reviews on the PA pellet and came across this. It's a little old though. Dated 12-29-2003.
Originally Posted by cayugad
(Post 463626)
First off let me say I know very little about flintlocks. I have shot a number of them and enjoyed it. I just never had the desire to learn to tune them. All my friends who own them tell me not to skimp on the lock. An inexpensive lock I was told by them is nothing but headaches.
Tradition's Rifles on the other hand I do own. I have two of them. Both of them will shoot excellent. I was shooting one the other day in fact and it always amazes me at how accurate a round ball is. Mine are cap locks. The features of the PA Pellet flintlock is nice I admit. The 1-48 twist would shoot round ball as well as the conicals. They advertise that it will shoot sabots, so I am sure it would. How well is another question. They would have to be a small sabot to stabalize with that twist rate I believe. I was shooting sabots out of my Traditions Pioneer sidelcock with a 1-48 twist. They were 240 grain .44 caliber T/C Cheap Shots, and they shot real good actually. But I was only shooting 25 years and playing around. The idea of a max load and the removable breech plug for cleaning is fantastic. It would sure make cleaning the rifle a snap. I would not get too excited about the fact it can use pellets. I would never recommend them to anyone. Granted some rifles have two pellets dropped in them and they are nail drivers. Loose powder is still the best way to custom tune your rifle. Also I think it is the cheapest way to go. If I were shooting a flintlock I would be shooting black powder anyway. I would want the lower ignition point black powder has compared to the other propellents. And the fact it is needed for the pan. Tradition's has a great warranty, and their customer service is excellent. I had to use them once for a minor problem and they were right there to help. If the lock is good, it would be a great gun. Other good rifles out there are the Lyman Trade Rifle, Lyman Great Plains Rifle and Hunter (the hunter being my favorite), and Thompson Center Arms. But you pay for what you get most of the time. You buy a brand name and you pay a brand name price. CVA makes flintlocks but I have not heard much about the quality of their locks. One thing to keep in mind, you can always change the lock to a better lock. Which ever rifle you choose, good luck. |
Originally Posted by pluckit
(Post 4045908)
The Lyman Deerstalker is over 200 dollars more and doesn't have a removable breech plug. I like that option and the Traditions is the only flintlock I am aware of that offers it. I also believe that the adjustable single trigger assembly on a traditions sidelock is second to none.
BPS |
I note.. on my Tradition's Woodsman Hawkens rifle, the frizzen is upgraded. If that accounts for the excellent lock time. My hunting buddy shoots a Traditons Kentucky model with the standard frizzen and I shot that, and never had any problems with it.
My two Lyman Rifles are excellent rifle. Their flintlocks are fantastic! Enough said. Just good locks. |
You look a little itchy to me, pluckit :D
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Originally Posted by cayugad
(Post 4046175)
I note.. on my Tradition's Woodsman Hawkens rifle, the frizzen is upgraded. If that accounts for the excellent lock time.
I still have the Traditions Trapper (flintlock) pistol that my wife gave me for Christmas new in the box. I was initially going to have her take it back after examining it because I considered the lock to be poor quality at best. I then decided because it was a gift that I should keep it. The frizzen opens much harder than it should, and pretty much needs to be pushed open so the lock time would be anything but fast. On ALL of my T/C flintlocks the frizzens open with minimal pressure until they reach the point where they literally "flip" open with an audible snap. I'm quite capable of disassembling the lock and deburring, stoning and polishing the bearing surfaces to smooth things up and make it operate smoothly, but that would void the warranty. Had I bought it used, that would have been the first thing I would have done. The hammer is misaligned with the frizzen to a point where the flint would have to be shifted to the right in the jaws farther than I thought deemed necessary, and there's not a lot of grip surface with those tiny jaws to be moving the flint off center much. Lastly, this lock would require small pistol flints and as stiff as it is to open, I didn't forsee them lasting very long. Although I haven't tried calling them, I contacted Traditions by email and never got a response. I never filled out the warranty papers but the gun is still NIB and never fired so if I do sell it, the buyer still has a full warranty. I may try to contact them again, but I doubt they'll do much about it, their locks are massed produced and probably all pretty much the same. The only other option I considered was sending the lock out to be retrofitted with better components but I don't believe the gun is worth that expense. It's a shame because it is a beautiful gun and it's now legal for us to use ML pistols of .50 or larger (percussion or flint) in our respective muzzleloading seasons for deer. BPS |
OK, I will probably get jumped on about this as there are exceptions to every rule.
There is no reason why a 1 in 48 twist won't shoot sabots if a bullet the right length is used. I tried it myself and figured out that a 180 grain 200 grain and 220 grain had the length potential to shoot. Now I never matched the 1 inch and less groups I get when I am shooting well with my 1 in 28 twists but 2 inches is a reasonable group for hunting where shots are normally under 100 yds and I did get 2 and 2.5 inch groups. |
I was going to go ahead and order it tonight but it went off sale today. Lucky me. Now I can go back to saying I'm not going to get involved with flintlocks.
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Originally Posted by pluckit
(Post 4046416)
Lucky me. Now I can go back to saying I'm not going to get involved with flintlocks.
Just be patient. As I stated earlier, there are good deals out there to be had. Maybe it's better that you don't jump the gun and buy something you may regret later. Do some snooping around and handle some of the different manufacturers models. Maybe you know someone that owns several flintlocks that you could spend some time shooting with. Visit your local gunshops and ask if they would be willing to give you a call if they take in a good clean used rifle you may be interested in. You have some time to work with before hunting season rolls around again. BPS |
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