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Thread: Does anyone still make a good USA made muzzleloader?

  1. #1
    Boolit Grand Master


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    Does anyone still make a good USA made muzzleloader?

    I am not a traditionalist, and am not biased for inline vs other types of ignition muzzle loaders. My main purpose is deer hunting, but I shoot them year round. I used to use an H&R huntsman, before I bought my current T/C Impact. Both are fine, USA made muzzleloaders that you can buy for a good price. I also have a Knight TK2000 12 gauge that I love. I'm interested in another rifle, but with a slower twist. I have no interest in shooting sabot's at all. Thompson Center still has a bunch of inline, fast twist guns, but nothing else. I'd be all over a Knight bighorn if they came with a 1:48 twist barrel. Other than that it's a bunch of imported guns until you get to the custom guns. Even if I looked past the fact its imported, Traditions wants $300 for their deer hunter? Not a chance! Is there any muzzle loader, of any kind, slower twist barrel, made in USA (or equivalent, you know the ones), and is priced reasonably?

  2. #2
    Boolit Mold
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    Mega ,
    With the price point you set I would think your best route would be a used rifle from a gun show .
    Most muzzleloaders around here have taken a big hit .
    Seems like only black plastic sells . If it's a 50 cal. I would go with a 60 or higher twist .
    Longer sweet spot when developing a load .
    Just my .02
    Steve

  3. #3
    Boolit Buddy waarp8nt's Avatar
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    You can sometimes find used T/C traditional guns worth the money. White makes muzzleloaders from traditional to inlines...mostly custom, sometimes they have a "blemished" section that can result in huge savings...might be worth a look.

    I have read early knight mk85 were as slow as 1in48 and as production went on the were 1in28. I don't know this for a fact. The mk85 were top notch stuff; timney trigger, B&C stock and GM barrels.
    Last edited by waarp8nt; 01-05-2018 at 09:22 PM.
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  4. #4
    Boolit Grand Master


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    I've had my eye on the T/C hawken, too bad they don't still make it. I just took a quick look through white rifles, they might be an option in the future. I'm not looking for dirt cheap, but I'm not paying $300 for an import. I'd consider $600 if I liked it. The thing that scares me about used side locks is that there is almost no way to check out the bore. You can kind of get a flashlight in there, but you don't get to really look over a gun in a gun show setting. Private sale is better, but is kind of rare to see one. A gun shop would be best, but I simply have never seen one for sale. I live right by track of the wolf, and all their stuff is high priced, although I keep drooling over some of those sxs percussion shotguns.

  5. #5
    Boolit Master

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    Quote Originally Posted by megasupermagnum View Post
    The thing that scares me about used side locks is that there is almost no way to check out the bore. You can kind of get a flashlight in there, but you don't get to really look over a gun in a gun show setting.
    https://www.buffaloarms.com/muzzlelo...-larger-rmc616

    Pick up one of these if you are going to shop for used muzzleloaders. Drop it in and take a gander. Works like a charm.
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  6. #6
    Boolit Grand Master


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    That tool looks handy. Thanks for the tip!

  7. #7
    Boolit Grand Master
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    I'd go with the gun show route, pawn shops, too. Find an acceptable smokepole from all outward appearances and then send it to Bob Hoyt to make it whatever caliber & rate of twist you want. The man makes magic. If the gun is OK at some lower price, another $150 ?? for the barrel work will give you a new gun -- more or less. Best of all you choose the caliber and twist rate for the type of boolit you want.

  8. #8
    Boolit Master
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    Mega, Try williams gun sights website in there used gun section they have a couple of pages of used muzzleloaders. Last time I looked they had several knights & older T/C's and there pricing is pretty reasonable. I have gotten a couple of hard to find rifles from them in the past.

  9. #9
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    Nothing wrong with the traditions sidelocks, that's all I own now days. Building another kit right now.

  10. #10
    Boolit Master
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    TVM. Matt's rifles aren't $300 but they're excellent. I'd buy one of his before I'd ever spend the money on a Traditions. There's others out there but the names evade me at the moment.
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  11. #11
    Boolit Buddy
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    If you want US made that's fine but there is absolutely nothing wrong with an Italian Invest Arms import.

  12. #12
    Boolit Master
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    You don't need to buy an expensive drop in light. Just go to the fishing section and buy either a yellow or green float light. They will fit down to .32 cal.

  13. #13
    Boolit Grand Master

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    I have a couple of used T/C hawkens in 50 Caliber starting at 350. In like new condition but real quality is costly parts for a good custom gun are $700 or so. Cheap is as cheap does.

  14. #14
    Boolit Bub GoexBlackhorn's Avatar
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    Do a Google Search on Doc White. Or go to gunbroker.com and do a search on used White muzzleloaders. Most of em' were built to shoot conicals.

  15. #15
    Boolit Master quail4jake's Avatar
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    Don't bother with Lyman, CVA or any low budget traditionals, especially flintlocks...you will:
    If you can budget it try custom makers with a really great lock, L&R, siler etc. Take a look at Dixon's Muzzleloader shop in Kempton, PA, if you can ever make a trip there they can show you a whole new world of traditional muzzleloading. And yes, all American made! Bring money, maybe mortgage your home...

  16. #16
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    " Does anyone still make a good USA made muzzleloader? "

    absolutely, but nowhere near what yer looking to spend, for your shooting intentions.

    i'll add - there is nothing at all wrong with some of the offshore trad muzzleloaders - IF you know which ones, and IF yer not looking for a zip gun. i have more than a few handmade onshore USA built trad muzzleloaders, but my .54 GPR is my go-to fun trad ml. it's all about knowing stuff ...
    Last edited by rfd; 01-06-2018 at 04:38 PM.

  17. #17
    Boolit Buddy StolzerandSons's Avatar
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    There is no reason not to know what the bore looks like on a used Muzzleloader these days. You can get a 7mm(.275") USB Endoscope for under $20.00 from amazon.
    https://smile.amazon.com/Fantronics-...ds=bore+camera
    It's not the highest resolution but for looking in the bore it is high enough. More money will get you smaller diameter and higher resolution.

    Hope that helps.
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  18. #18
    Boolit Master scattershot's Avatar
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    Since we’re on the subject of bore lights, here’s a freebie. Take an empty .38 special case (nickel works best) and drop it into the bore upside down. Then shine a light in there. Works like a charm, amd you probably have an empty case and a flashlight already. For my money, you can’t beat a T/C. They don’t make them any more in sidehammer persuasion, but good used ones can be found.

    Don’t overlook Pedersoli, either, they make fine rifles.
    Last edited by scattershot; 01-07-2018 at 07:55 PM.
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  19. #19
    Boolit Master
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    "Reasonable price" means what? Less than $500, less than $1000?

    I stopped looking at "made in USA" many years ago. We made model airplane kits and shipped all over the world. If folks in those other countries said "I'll only buy made in the UK" or similar we would have lost a ton of sales. Spanish or Italian made guns are great for me, as are Brazilian, German, etc. I do like to support good companies, wherever they are in the world.

    PS my last Dodge truck was made in Canada.

  20. #20
    Boolit Master quail4jake's Avatar
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    If <$1000 is reasonable, take a look at Pedersoli and Armi sport...not USA but easy to work with to improve. Old T/Cs are around and usually in the $500 range, easy to recrown and lap the bore if corroded. If <$5000 is reasonable consider one of the custom makers; Jim Chambers, Allen Martin and many others, if you go that route you'll never be disappointed. I have the last rifle Richard Mann made, completely unique and a pleasure to fire. If >$$$ is reasonable, well then God bless ya, Laddie!
    I look at muzzle loaders as a base platform to start, then incrementally improve to get what you want, same with accessories but these poorly made cheapos (Lyman, CVA etc.) there is just nothing to work with, usually it's a chore just to get enough spark to get 50% flash in the pan.....lame.

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