Narrowed down to percussion, here's what I think I want.

[Ozz]

So, based on my limited experience, I've settled on 1:48 twist rifle. My thinking is that since this is my first rifle, I should get something that can shoot round ball as well as other types of ammo.

My son has a Hawken rifle in .50 with double set triggers 1:48. We've been shooting it a good bit and learning as we go.

My question is, who makes the better locks and triggers? I'm looking for a factory built gun in the $400 - $800 range.

Also, I'm looking to modify this rifle for a ghost ring to replace the rear blade. I've seen some Pedersoli rifles with this sighting arrangement that aren't dedicated target rifles but they are 1/24 twist here> Pedersoli Hawken

So is it really a big deal to fit a peep sight to these traditional looking but shorter hunting rifles? Or should I buy something like the Pedersoli and give it a go with some patched ball?

Thanks,
Paul

 

[Griz44Mag]

I have put the Pedersoli Ghost sight on several of my traditional guns.
No big deal - and for us old folks with not so good eyesight anymore - a perfect solution.
I took it one step farther - I tapped the ghost ring and use a Williams peep in the hole.
These are adjustable for windage and elevation.
Several sizes available - I use a big hole for hunting and a very small hole for target shooting.
The 1:24 twist is pretty much going to be a dedicated conical shooter, the 1:48 is good to go with either, but not ideal for either.
Since I shoot pretty much everything with roundball, I prefer the slow twist (1:60 or higher)
Pick your venue, and chose accordingly. I use peeps or ghosts on many of my guns and love them.
https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/883/1/RS-DP-GRS

 

[Ozz]

I have put the Pedersoli Ghost sight on several of my traditional guns.
No big deal - and for us old folks with not so good eyesight anymore - a perfect solution.
I took it one step farther - I tapped the ghost ring and use a Williams peep in the hole.
These are adjustable for windage and elevation.
Several sizes available - I use a big hole for hunting and a very small hole for target shooting.
The 1:24 twist is pretty much going to be a dedicated conical shooter, the 1:48 is good to go with either, but not ideal for either.
Since I shoot pretty much everything with roundball, I prefer the slow twist (1:60 or higher)
Pick your venue, and chose accordingly. I use peeps or ghosts on many of my guns and love them.
https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/883/1/RS-DP-GRS

Thanks Mr. Griz. Funny you should say that because after I posted, I thought that the longer sight radius on some of the more traditional rifles would be well served with a peep sight. I'm gonna look into that.

By the way, in this price range, who makes the best locks?

 

[Phil Coffins]

In your price range and wanting a peep sight I would give strong consider a Thompson Center rifle. The “Hawken“ or Renegade are solid well built rifles that are drilled and tapped to except a tang mounted peep sight. You can find them used in good order in shops or on the net.

 

[tenngun]

The Great Plais rifle would be my pick. In your price range, cheaper as a kit and very simple

 

[leadhoarder]

Lyman peep sights are available for both the Lyman and TC rifles. The Lyman GPR is only available in a slower twist or a faster twist. One for conicals the other for PRB. The TC renegade and hawken come in 1:48.

I own a renegade with a Lyman peep installed and it is a tackdriver.

 

[Griz44Mag]

In your price range and wanting a peep sight I would give strong consider a Thompson Center rifle. The “Hawken“ or Renegade are solid well built rifles that are drilled and tapped to except a tang mounted peep sight. You can find them used in good order in shops or on the net.

One drawback - these are older rifles, and as such will need parts and repairs.
TC parts are no longer available. Some replacement parts can be found on fleabay - but those parts run at a premium now.
As mentioned above - a Lyman Great Plains would be an excellent choice.
It's a good basic rifle, parts are available and not at a price gouging level.
They are easily upgraded with locks and triggers that won't break the bank.
Barrels are readily available if you want to do quick swap caliber changes.

Now - this is coming from someone who owns several TC rifles, and several other brands.
The common Pedersoli rifles are excellent for the money - The Frontier models are under 800 and are very good shooters, with parts readily available should you need them.

 

[gabedard]

Look at Pedersoli Scout at Dixie gun works

 

[leadhoarder]

One drawback - these are older rifles, and as such will need parts and repairs.
TC parts are no longer available. Some replacement parts can be found on fleabay - but those parts run at a premium now.
As mentioned above - a Lyman Great Plains would be an excellent choice.
It's a good basic rifle, parts are available and not at a price gouging level.
They are easily upgraded with locks and triggers that won't break the bank.
Barrels are readily available if you want to do quick swap caliber changes.

Now - this is coming from someone who owns several TC rifles, and several other brands.
The common Pedersoli rifles are excellent for the money - The Frontier models are under 800 and are very good shooters, with parts readily available should you need them.

I am fairly new to the muzzleloader game but it seems to me the all the parts that could break have aftermarket replacement options. Lock, triggers, etc. Consumable parts like nipples will always be available.

 

[Griz44Mag]

I am fairly new to the muzzleloader game but it seems to me the all the parts that could break have aftermarket replacement options. Lock, triggers, etc. Consumable parts like nipples will always be available.

(Try to buy a tumbler for a TC lock)
Yes, you can replace the lock -
Yes you can replace the trigger -
And when you are done - will still own an old gun with a 30-50 year old barrel, a common plank for a stock, - one that is neither supported or even close to authentic.
For the same amount of money - you can buy a basic rifle - with ongoing factory support when you need it.
Nipples are akin to lead, powder and flints - expendable supplies. Not part of any equation.
That said - I do own several TC rifles. I use them and enjoy them - but would not recommend them to a new owner. And THAT was the question. And I also think that a current model of a current manufacturer is a lot better way to start a new owner on a journey of enjoying a black powder hobby.
I recently bought a New, unfired, no box, 24 year old rifle that has a broken fly spring. But still an active manufacturer.
If that had been a TC - there would be no part and no source for that part, the option being 170.00 for a new lock.
(Back to - yes - you can buy a replacement lock for the TC)
The new spring cost $11.00 - shipped - fresh from the factory.
Do you understand the question - what would be the best rifle for a new to the sport owner?
The TC is a good rifle - but IMHO - a new to the hobby owner would be better off with something else.

 

[Ozz]

Look at Pedersoli Scout at Dixie gun works

Can this rifle be fitted with peep sights?

 

[Griz44Mag]

Can this rifle be fitted with peep sights?

I see no reason to think it would be a problem.
There is a tang screw - for the front of the sight - and the back screw is pretty darn easy to drill and tap or even drill shallow with a pilot and use a wood screw on.
The scout is available in .32, .45, and .50 caliber. It seems to be limited to a 1:34 twist though... (Conical territory - more expensive to shoot)
I have not shot one of them, but I like the looks!

 

[Ozz]

I see no reason to think it would be a problem.
There is a tang screw - for the front of the sight - and the back screw is pretty darn easy to drill and tap or even drill shallow with a pilot and use a wood screw on.
The scout is available in .32, .45, and .50 caliber. It seems to be limited to a 1:34 twist though... (Conical territory - more expensive to shoot)
I have not shot one of them, but I like the looks!

Ah, I didn’t notice the twist.
So if I understand correctly, l can mount a peep on most any Pedersoli rifle.

 

[Griz44Mag]

Ah, I didn’t notice the twist.
So if I understand correctly, l can mount a peep on most any Pedersoli rifle.

The way the Pedersoli Ghost sight is made - it can be mounted on pretty much any rifle with some drop at the wrist.
It mounts with 2 screws. I usually use the forward screw (the tang screw) and either drill and tap another hole or drill a pilot hole in the stock and use a small wood screw. Some of Pedersoli guns are already drilled and tapped for this sight.

 

[Grenadier1758]

With @Griz44Mag's approach, you will likely need a longer tang bolt.

Almost any rifle can have a peep sight mounted. Its all a question of how much drilling and tapping will be required.

 

[flashpoint]

(Try to buy a tumbler for a TC lock)
Yes, you can replace the lock -
Yes you can replace the trigger -
And when you are done - will still own an old gun with a 30-50 year old barrel, a common plank for a stock, - one that is neither supported or even close to authentic.
For the same amount of money - you can buy a basic rifle - with ongoing factory support when you need it.
Nipples are akin to lead, powder and flints - expendable supplies. Not part of any equation.
That said - I do own several TC rifles. I use them and enjoy them - but would not recommend them to a new owner. And THAT was the question. And I also think that a current model of a current manufacturer is a lot better way to start a new owner on a journey of enjoying a black powder hobby.
I recently bought a New, unfired, no box, 24 year old rifle that has a broken fly spring. But still an active manufacturer.
If that had been a TC - there would be no part and no source for that part, the option being 170.00 for a new lock.
(Back to - yes - you can buy a replacement lock for the TC)
The new spring cost $11.00 - shipped - fresh from the factory.
Do you understand the question - what would be the best rifle for a new to the sport owner?
The TC is a good rifle - but IMHO - a new to the hobby owner would be better off with something else.

Well said Griz. That became apparent to me when I tried to find a rear sight for my .45 Seneca. I finally did but it took a long time and it cost me around $80.

 

[Blitz]

(Try to buy a tumbler for a TC lock)
Yes, you can replace the lock -
Yes you can replace the trigger -
And when you are done - will still own an old gun with a 30-50 year old barrel, a common plank for a stock, - one that is neither supported or even close to authentic.
For the same amount of money - you can buy a basic rifle - with ongoing factory support when you need it.
Nipples are akin to lead, powder and flints - expendable supplies. Not part of any equation.
That said - I do own several TC rifles. I use them and enjoy them - but would not recommend them to a new owner. And THAT was the question. And I also think that a current model of a current manufacturer is a lot better way to start a new owner on a journey of enjoying a black powder hobby.
I recently bought a New, unfired, no box, 24 year old rifle that has a broken fly spring. But still an active manufacturer.
If that had been a TC - there would be no part and no source for that part, the option being 170.00 for a new lock.
(Back to - yes - you can buy a replacement lock for the TC)
The new spring cost $11.00 - shipped - fresh from the factory.
Do you understand the question - what would be the best rifle for a new to the sport owner?
The TC is a good rifle - but IMHO - a new to the hobby owner would be better off with something else.

And how often do these springs break ?

Buzz

 

[ord sgt]

recently bought a New, unfired, no box, 24 year old rifle that has a broken fly spring. But still an active manufacture

I have never heard of a fly spring. A fly, yes. A spring, certainly. The fly fits into the tumbler, usually associated with double set triggers. Then there is the sear spring, the mainspring and on a flintlock, the frizzen spring.
Please help me understand the part that you describe as the "fly spring".

 

[Griz44Mag]

I have never heard of a fly spring. A fly, yes. A spring, certainly. The fly fits into the tumbler, usually associated with double set triggers. Then there is the sear spring, the mainspring and on a flintlock, the frizzen spring.
Please help me understand the part that you describe as the "fly spring".

A very reputable individual on this forum has informed me that the spring that applies tension to the frizzen - is properly named a "fly" spring.
First time I had ever heard that - but I have not been into flints until the last couple of years.

 

[Grenadier1758]

Most I think would have called that the feather spring.