First black powder rifle?

[acormack]

Hi everyone

I was looking at an early (1980's) Pedersoli Kentucky smoothbore percussion yesterday, in average condition and looks to be one of their kits finished off to a basic standard. Are these any good and is there anything to look out for, being a smooth bore I take it as long as there are no bulges or visible signs of damage on the barrel there isn't a lot else that could be or go wrong??

Any advice would be appreciated.
Alan

[greenshoots]

fancy an inline ML

i have a traditions pursuit xlt lovely rifle with the capability of shooting 44/45/50 cal lead

greenshoots

[dromia]

As you say so long as the barrel is good and not pitted and the lock works then they are good guns out to 80 yrds.

Make sure the nipple comes out easily before buying and that the flash channel is clear, usually best to start with a new nipple.

You must get the right patch thickness for the ball/bore diameters and it will need to be driven hard for good accuracy.

Goes on a shotgun certificate usually cheap and excellent value.

[swotty]

I picked up an Ardessa Hawken rifle in .54 smoothbore for £150 with wad cutter and casting tool. It was a great gun but sadly I had to get rid of my firearms for a while and haven't found anything to replace it at the moment. It even got me 3rd place in a BP rifle competition against 2 and 3 band Enfield's!! Don't dismiss BP revolvers, I have an SAA which is one of my favourite firearms to shoot.

[Dahonis]

I have an Investarm flintlock in .54 This is my first rifle in BP. I love it.
It does take a small while to get used to it. The lock time is a lot faster than some I have seen.
At 25m it will keep a group of around 1 1/2" to 2".
I'm that taken with it, I may even move away from centerfire for a wee while.