Muley
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Backlash Brian
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Reged: 05/20/08
Posts: 77
Loc: Selah Wa
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I am thinking of putting up the 7mm and going to the old smoke pole. I want to get a crack at the deer before everybody with Pa's old .06 is wondering through the woods. My thought was to buy a Traditions Hawken Kit and build it myself (I fancy myself as somewhat handy.) Any one tried it? It seems to be a great way to get into the sport and learn how they work. I like the thought of the more classic muzzleloader. Is there a better kit out there for the money? Thanks
-------------------- Three-fourths of the Earth's surface is water, and one-fourth is land. It is quite clear that the good Lord intended us to spend triple the amount of time fishing as taking care of the lawn.
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Ahab
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fingerLing
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Reged: 06/04/07
Posts: 40
Loc: Stanwood, WA
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I've always like TC stuff. I built three of the Cabelas kit guns for presents and they shot well. I'm not sure if Lyman offers thir plains rifle in kit form or not but they are good shooters. Next step if your couragous and handy is to get a nice roughed out (with barrel channel cut) stock and build your own. Inletting isn't brain surgery and your sure going to love shooting it. Make sure of what you want to shoot out of it prior to buying a kit or barrel. If your staying with patched round ball (is there anything else? ) the twist and riflings will be different than with mini's or Sabot's.
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Muley
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Backlash Brian
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Reged: 05/20/08
Posts: 77
Loc: Selah Wa
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Reading some of the other posts and your mention of the patch and roundball, is it better to look for something with a 1:66 twist (Kentucky) vs. the 1:45 (Hawken)? I always assumed I would shoot a saboted bullet, but would like to stay as tradional as I could without sacrificing accurate shots. Being that I'm used to a quarter size group out of a 7mm @ 100yrds, what should I expect out of a Hawken or Kentucky?
-------------------- Three-fourths of the Earth's surface is water, and one-fourth is land. It is quite clear that the good Lord intended us to spend triple the amount of time fishing as taking care of the lawn.
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CHINOOK73
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dual red striper
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Reged: 02/13/06
Posts: 303
Loc: Thurston County, Wa.
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I have a traditional TC Hawkins. I have been real happy with it. Using Maxihunter rounds with 100 grains of RS Pyrodex Select I hit a 6" steel plate every time at 50 yds. I have not hunted with it as I just can't put down the modern rifle for deer.
-------------------- B.R.D. Victim
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Muley
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Backlash Brian
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Reged: 05/20/08
Posts: 77
Loc: Selah Wa
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I'm on the eastside and cannot stand the crowds any longer. Places that I used to see maybe one or two other hunters in an entire season, now I'm seeing 10-20 a day. I hate to say it but I think the state should go to draw only hunts. At least figure out something to limit the number of people in any given area. You want to see hunting pressure look at Unit 342 during deer season. The poor road looks like a freeway. Every deer and elk for that maetter has it's tongue hang out of it's head as it bumps from one hunter to the next. I know that some sort of limit is not going to be recieved well, but something has to be done.
-------------------- Three-fourths of the Earth's surface is water, and one-fourth is land. It is quite clear that the good Lord intended us to spend triple the amount of time fishing as taking care of the lawn.
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Musicman
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Thick Tail
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Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 7616
Loc: Roy
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muley, friend had a traditional long gun(Hawkenskit). shot real nice but is really heavy...i've got a TC Thundehawk and it shoots extremely nice with an upgraded peep site. I have two muzzys, I'm considering going to ml next year, I started ml'ing in eastern wa, hunting muleys, no pun intended...gotta get alot closer but it's nice to hunt without the crowds.
-------------------- JD
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Muley
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Backlash Brian
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Reged: 05/20/08
Posts: 77
Loc: Selah Wa
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Eastern Washington huh? My neck of the woods. I will definately put a peep on what ever I end up with. Still in the R & D phase but should be getting something this next spring. Where abouts on the dry side of the mountains you thinking of going? Went out for elk to day (flinging pixy sticks) Almost finished the deal on a huge lead cow. It was a bad angle (quatring to):bang: hand to pass. I hate to lose an animal. Lots of time left in the season. I figure if I don't force a bad shot the elk gods will smile upon me someday.
-------------------- Three-fourths of the Earth's surface is water, and one-fourth is land. It is quite clear that the good Lord intended us to spend triple the amount of time fishing as taking care of the lawn.
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Longbow
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egg
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Reged: 10/21/09
Posts: 1
Loc: Hamilton, Montana
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A good cast bullet for the T/C 48 twist barrel is the LEE Real Bullet. A 240 and 320 grain, both shoot real well. I prefer the 1-66 twist round ball only, if your going to shoot trad go all the way. The accuracy of a ball is very good , keep shots under 75 yds max and you'll have no problem. Longbow
-------------------- Whatever you can do or believe you can, begin it. Boldness has wisdom, power, and magic in it. WH Murry
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