What is it and what's it worth, part I...

[Idaho45guy]

I inherited two muzzleloader rifles from my father when he passed. The first, I know a little about it in that he told me why he built it and what it was used for.

He built it for elk hunting in Idaho's muzzleloader season. It is in .45 caliber. Which is an oddity, since Idaho hunting regs say you have to use at least a .50 cal for elk. He took offense to that law and built this rifle for long-range hunting out to 500 yards.

I remember him telling me that he shot an elk at over 400 yards with it and was hoping that a game warden would try to arrest him so he could go to court and get the stupid .45 cal law eliminated. He never did get caught with it.

Now I have the rifle and have no use for it. I am trying to thin out his rifle collection to only rifles that I have a use for or have some sentimental value. I have zero interest in muzzleloader hunting and will likely sell this rifle. But, I have no idea what it is or what it is worth. If it's low value, then I would probably just keep it since I know the story behind it. But if it's worth a fair amount, then I'll let someone who can use it to it's full potential have it.

Here are the pictures I took of it,

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[Sasquatch-1]

That appears to be a Pedersoli Gibbs rifle, listed at Midway for $2341.99 new. It also states it is discontinued.

[Edward]

What he said ,dump your centerfire and take up muzzle loaders !!!!!!!!!!!!! Or if giving away I'm 1st in line /Ed

[Nobade]

You have the finest muzzleloading production target rifle available. He did not build that, Pedersoli did. If it were mine I would be busy learning how to manage it out on the range.

[Electrod47]

How's the Bore?

[ascast]

Elk at over 400 yards ? I think I would keep that and learn to shoot it.

[charlie b]

One of the rifles I drooled over for years. Almost bought one but my shoulder decided that it was time to quit the heavy loads.

[Woodnbow]

They’re not building anymore of those and I’ve recently seen them sell for 1200 and 1600 on Gunbroker. The deluxe version sold for 2300 new.

[WILCO]

I'd keep it.

[BLAHUT]

Give it to me ? I will use it for hunting and long-range target work ?? I shoot long - range in competition ....

[firefly1957]

To shoot game at those ranges it must use bullets do you also have his molds and loads for the gun ?

Whatever you decide others told you what it was it seems to be factory not custom made by your father could he have meant he ordered it that way for Elk hunting? I do understand his disapproval of state game laws I often wonder who the idiots are that make some regulations .

[armoredman]

That is a beautiful rifle, sir. I am sure someone will give you good money for it, but I echo what people here are saying - that is one well worth the fun of getting into the Holy Black. If nothing else, mount her above the fireplace with a picture of your father. Again, that is a beautiful and valuable rifle, and I wish you many years of enjoyment from her.

[Dante]

I owned one for many years. The very first time I fired it was at 300 yards. Five shots in a 5” group. I became my go-to rifle for long range. This was a copy of a very successful long range target rifle of the 1800’s. Very well done. They are the most popular long range target rifle which can be used in competition right out of the box.

[pietro]

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Please accept our condolence's on the loss of your Dad.........


Maybe, when he said he built it, he actually assembled it from it's take-down shipping condition.

In any event, it's a premium smokepole - I would leave it as-is & shoot the snot out of it.

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