Which mountain rifle?

64Springer · Jan 24, 2023

lbothell said:
Do you have one of these? If so what do you like about it? From what Iv seen they are pretty accurate for sure

I do not have a Traditions Mountain.

Several Traditions Kentucky rifles built from kits though. And never a manufacturing problem or lock problem or barrel problem with any of them.

A lot of negative comments about Traditions on the internet. Very few of them true. Are they true representations of real Kentucky rifles? Not by a long shot. That's why I jokingly refer to them as Kentuckyish rifles.

But they perform very well and at a very nice price.

BP Addict · Jan 24, 2023

The Mountain Rifle was the epitome of CVA's design and engineering. It's the best-balanced rifle I've ever put to my shoulder. The earlier models had barrels marked "Made In USA" which purportedly were from Douglas. I've owned several that were made in Spain with the 1-66" Round Ball Twist. They're extremely accurate.

I read somewhere that while they were not an exact copy of any historical piece, they were patterned after the Vincent Ohio Rifle.

They show up occasionally on Web-based Auctions. The Gun Works in Springfield, Oregon has four in their shop right now. You'd need to call them as they are not currently listed on the website; 541-741-4118. I believe they're all 50s. I'm not a big fan of factory locks but the Maslin-style Percussions are pretty smooth and easy to cock. A little polishing may make them a little faster.

If you wanted something that would shoot both Round Balls and Conicals well, Traditions makes one almost identical to the CVA but with a 1-48" barrel twist.

Good Luck!

Walt

Greyrider · Jan 24, 2023

When you talk of mountain rifle is that a hawken style or something like a frontier pedersoli style. I’m not sure what is a mountain rifle. Lot of rifles fall into those styles

lbothell · Jan 24, 2023

BP Addict said:
The Mountain Rifle was the epitome of CVA's design and engineering. It's the best-balanced rifle I've ever put to my shoulder. The earlier models had barrels marked "Made In USA" which purportedly were from Douglas. I've owned several that were made in Spain with the 1-66" Round Ball Twist. They're extremely accurate.

I read somewhere that while they were not an exact copy of any historical piece, they were patterned after the Vincent Ohio Rifle.

They show up occasionally on Web-based Auctions. The Gun Works in Springfield, Oregon has four in their shop right now. You'd need to call them as they are not currently listed on the website; 541-741-4118. I believe they're all 50s. I'm not a big fan of factory locks but the Maslin-style Percussions are pretty smooth and easy to cock. A little polishing may make them a little faster.

If you wanted something that would shoot both Round Balls and Conicals well, Traditions makes one almost identical to the CVA but with a 1-48" barrel twist.

Good Luck!

Walt

64 and Walt thank you for the replies!! Just the kind of information I was looking for!! I do remember reading that the CVA mountain rifle was there flagship gun so thank you for confirming that! Also the traditions is a nice gun as well so this gives me two options!

lbothell · Jan 24, 2023

Greyrider said:
When you talk of mountain rifle is that a hawken style or something like a frontier pedersoli style. I’m not sure what is a mountain rifle. Lot of rifles fall into those styles

So these pictures are off the internet they are not mine, but I will use them to represent what I’m looking for. Both these guns in the pictures are cva ones a mountain rifle the other is the hawkens. You can see the mountain rifle is just a little longer then the hawkens and has two pins in the stock compared to one.

BP Addict · Jan 24, 2023

Greyrider said:
When you talk of mountain rifle is that a hawken style or something like a frontier pedersoli style. I’m not sure what is a mountain rifle. Lot of rifles fall into those styles

It's kind of a vague description, often used when discussing half-stock heavy barreled Percussion guns of the expanding west. Also called "Plains Rifles".

Then there are the Southern "Mountain" rifles made in Virginia and Tennessee. These were full-stock rifles in either Flint or Percussion.

Because I started this hobby back when the "Hawken" resurgence was en vogue, I usually relate it to those in my first paragraph.

Walt

lbothell · Jan 24, 2023

BP Addict said:
It's kind of a vague description, often used when discussing half-stock heavy barreled Percussion guns of the expanding west. Also called "Plains Rifles".

Then there are the Southern "Mountain" rifles made in Virginia and Tennessee. These were full-stock rifles in either Flint or Percussion.

Because I started this hobby back when the "Hawken" resurgence was en vogue, I usually relate it to those in my first paragraph.

Walt

Yes it’s kinda weird bc so many people when referring to the “mountain man” rifle are talking about that hawkens style let’s say Hollywood made famous rifle. And in turn that’s what I’m talking about hahah maybe I should have just said half stock rifles that’s my fault

BP Addict · Jan 24, 2023

lbothell said:
Yes it’s kinda weird bc so many people when referring to the “mountain man” rifle are talking about that hawkens style let’s say Hollywood made famous rifle. And in turn that’s what I’m talking about hahah maybe I should have just said half stock rifles that’s my fault

When you mentioned CVA, I just got the impression that was the one you were interested in.

The CVA Hawken Rifles aren't bad either. According to their 1990 Catalog, 1-48" barrels were an accessory ONLY, so the prior years would have been 1-66". There is a two-digit date code on those in front of, and separate from the serial number; 83, 85, 87, etc. These are also very accurate and the 28" (vs. 32") barrel makes them lightweight and easy to shoot. Sometime in the 90s, they went to the 1-48" twist, maybe to compete with T/C.

Walt

lbothell · Jan 24, 2023

BP Addict said:
When you mentioned CVA, I just got the impression that was the one you were interested in.

The CVA Hawken Rifles aren't bad either. According to their 1990 Catalog, 1-48" barrels were an accessory ONLY, so the prior years would have been 1-66". There is a two-digit date code on those in front of, and separate from the serial number; 83, 85, 87, etc. These are also very accurate and the 28" (vs. 32") barrel makes them lightweight and easy to shoot. Sometime in the 90s, they went to the 1-48" twist, maybe to compete with T/C.

Walt

I think your right about the 1:48 twist, I know the traditions is a 1:48 twist to that’s something to consider! Wish traditions had more calibers then just 50 in their “mountain rifle” line

BP Addict · Jan 24, 2023

lbothell said:
I think your right about the 1:48 twist, I know the traditions is a 1:48 twist to that’s something to consider! Wish traditions had more calibers then just 50 in their “mountain rifle” line

Back in the day, there were many different calibers. 32, 36, 45. 50, 54 & 58. Now it seems that the Industry Standard is 50. Traditions does make a nice little 32 called the Crockett. It actually looks like a Vincent!

Walt

Trot · Jan 25, 2023

Ah, if it is a halfstock plains rifle you are after, I'd look at the Investarm rifles as well. I haven't seen one yet that wasn't an excellent shooter. Just personal preference, but I like them much better than the old CVA Mountain rifles.

BP Addict · Jan 25, 2023

Trot said:
Ah, if it is a halfstock plains rifle you are after, I'd look at the Investarm rifles as well. I haven't seen one yet that wasn't an excellent shooter. Just personal preference, but I like them much better than the old CVA Mountain rifles.

Good Advice!

When Lyman stopped having them manufacture their GPR, they smartly took it upon themselves to call it a Gemmer Hawken and market it themselves. With the 1-60" barrel twist it's as accurate as the Mountian rifle. It also closely resembles the Hawken Brothers Iconic rifle.

About 10 years ago, I went with the older CVAs for three reasons, 1) They had the 1-66" Round Ball twist, 2) They didn't have "Please read Instructions before use" on the barrel, 3) Parts were still available through Deer Creek Products.

If I had it to do all over, I would have purchased a GPR & matching pistol in the 80s before the legalese was added. I tried and couldn't find an older one but there were plenty of Mountain Rifles about.

Walt

Paul Nelson · Jan 25, 2023

Trot said:
Ah, if it is a halfstock plains rifle you are after, I'd look at the Investarm rifles as well. I haven't seen one yet that wasn't an excellent shooter. Just personal preference, but I like them much better than the old CVA Mountain rifles.

I love my Investarms flinter .54 cal

Hawk54 · Jan 25, 2023

Any Hawken or Mountain style rifle in adequate caliber (to me a .50 or .54) will be just fine for hunting. Just pick one you like the looks of, fits you, and will be comfortable carrying.

fishmusic · Jan 27, 2023

lbothell said:
I appreciate all the information! I think half the fun is reading and just soaking in as much info as I can! I do like the CVA as stated before. Again I’m not looking for another custom gun just a production gun, and it doesn’t have to be period correct as stated before. By mountain man rifle I’m more or less referring to the “type” or style of gun and not what a mountain man would use per say. I like that they tend to be a little longer then a hawkens. Maybe what I should do is just post on the classifieds and see whAt comes up hahaha

The Traditions should be a good kit but let the stock acclimate to your weather. A friend of mine built one and the stock dried out in the summer and some cracks opened up. Seal the wood as part of the finishing. I have a CVA in percussion that is very accurate and a godd and reliable shooter.

lbothell · Jan 27, 2023

fishmusic said:
The Traditions should be a good kit but let the stock acclimate to your weather. A friend of mine built one and the stock dried out in the summer and some cracks opened up. Seal the wood as part of the finishing. I have a CVA in percussion that is very accurate and a godd and reliable shooter.

Actually just purchased the CVA Mountain rifle in percussion, now wondering if I should convert it or leave it?

Dale Allen Raby · Jan 27, 2023

Old Hawkeye said:
Until the mainspring breaks, which they have a reputation of doing quite often! Then all you have is an expensive club. As mainsprings are not obtainable, it will remain a club for a very long time.

... unless you go out to the smithy and make a new spring. It CAN be done.

Mtman725 · Jan 27, 2023

I'll second the CVA mountain rifle, more of the plains era being cap rifle's, but good lines, they shoot, if you can find a Big Bore in 54, that's not been to beat. Or one of the early ones that's stamped Made USA, in 50. Good hunting rifle's.

fishmusic · Jan 27, 2023

lbothell said:
Actually just purchased the CVA Mountain rifle in percussion, now wondering if I should convert it or leave it?

My opinion is to leave it. It has a drum that is inter-threaded with the breech plug. It can be done but not by me. A qualified gunsmith or a replacement barrel if you want to convert.

64Springer · Jan 27, 2023

Leave the CVA Mountain as is.

Percussions go bang when flintlocks may not.

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