I suspect a number of folks are switching over to in-lines because quite a few sidelock blackpowder rifles are showing up on the used gun racks around here. Previously, Pennsylvania had a flintlock-only deer season after Christmas for bucks or does. Several years ago the Game Commission added an additional muzzleloader season in October for antlerless deer. In the October season, one can use a flintlock, percussion or in-line. My preference are the sidelocks so I have been able to scarf up a few lovely flintlocks for not much money. All the best...
Gil

Howdy Gil. If i'm not mistaken in PA you can use a inline during the shotgun season as well in the special reg areas. Here in MD if you push the bullet down the barrel you can use it , scopes what ever you want to use. I love my inline.

I would be concerned with a used muzzle loader having some pitting in the bore. Alot of people really screw up their guns by not cleaning and maintaining them. Its much harder to destroy say, a Rem700 30-06 by not cleaning it...

It would be alot different however if I were buying from someone I knew, knew did proper maintainance.


-DallanC

What ever happened to "primitive hunting"? Inlines are modern rifles....!!!

Bushmaster wrote:

What ever happened to "primitive hunting"? Inlines are modern rifles....!!!

They are all "modern" anymore. Show me a Muzzle Loader with flat springs rather than coil springs and then we can talk Primative IMO that is the biggest revolution

In all seriousness inlines were created in 1734 in Germany which means they predate the "Hawkin" by over 100 years. There was also a cartridge based rifle around that period made for a Prince of some sort.

Dallan,
You raise some great points. I check over used muzzleloaders like they were possibly counterfeit money. The bores are critical and I use a bore light and cleaning patches to verify the condition. To be sure there are rifles that were abused or neglected and show that perhaps Windex, hydrogen peroxide or just some oil were inadequate in cleaning up a blackpowder rifle.

On the other hand, this year I bought several muzzleloaders that appeared to be unfired. The frizzen on one was not scraped by the flint, another was still in the box with the hang tags on it. I take each used muzzleloader apart, coat the wood inside and out with boiled linseed oil and clean the bore with hot soapy water, hot water, dry patches and oil patches. All the best...
Gil

DallanC,
Believe it or not,there are still quite a few sidelocks on the market with leaf springs,the CVA and Traditions being two examples.I shoot competitively with flintlocks and can state with no reservations that serious competitors prefer them to coil springs.They are quicker than coil springs. The downside is they are more prone to breakage.I have over 2000 shots through my 40 caliber with a Siler flintlock {leaf spring} without a problem and I rarely hear of a breakage among other shooters.L@R lock company actually makes replacement locks for TC and Lyman that use leaf springs for improved reliability and less lock time.I love my TCs but there is no question the Siler lock is faster. I believe the biggest reason TC and Lyman use coil springs is reduced cost and less fitting. Sorry to shoot down your argument,just thought I'd let you know.I dont have anything against inlines but you wont ever catch me with one!!

GilMartin, I hope you swab out the oil from the bore prior to fireing if you use pyrodex or black powder, The petrolium reacts with the sulfer and causes rust and corrosion faster than normal.
Just alittle Info I thought you folks might benefit from.

A CVA Hawkins 50 cal. precussion from a kit got me started. Spent many hours down the road from you, Gil, with that gun. What a nice way to spend the day, and cheap! Box of round balls, patches, powder horn and a range with at most a couple of guys equal a relaxing day. That was a good shooting gun! Still have it but think I screwed up the barrel. That said, I took my first (and only) deer last year 3rd day of MD's muzzleloader season with an inline, also a great shooting gun. Gil, do you go to the gunmakers fair at Dickon's? Had looked into building a flint lock but never did it.

Crackshot,
Yes, I swab the bores with dry patches prior to loading and clean the rifle after every use. All the best...
Gil

RPM1031,
I have been to Dixon's and other gun shops in the area. There are plenty of decent places to look over the used gun racks. All the best...
Gil

Used inline prices have dropped way down in Vermont. With everyone wanting break action muzzle loaders. Used Knight in lines prices are so low that most gun shop's won't take them in on trade, because they don't want to insult the guy trying to trade it. I picked up a like New Knight MK85 blued brl, highly figured wood stock for $100.00 I needed it like hole in the head, but it a well made gun and too nice a gun not to buy for that price.