Milsurp After Hours

Now why didn't I buy a muzzle loader before.
I bought myself a percussion Hawken Woodsman rifle in cal .45 a couple of weeks ago and I love it.
I bought the Hawken because it was relatively cheap.
I didn't want to buy a more expensive ML rifle just to find out that I don't like it.

I bought the Hawken for use on the 50 meter range, but I'm 100% sure that I will buy myself another ML rifle next year for use on the 100 meter range.
What I would love to own is a percussion Kentucky, Shenandoah or Pennsylvania rifle in cal .45.
Ardesa(Traditions) has some very nice rifles, but the Kentucky has no set trigger, so I guess that leaves the Shenandoah and Pennsylvania rifle.
The main difference between these two rifles is that the Pennsylvania rifle (145cm) is about 8" longer compared to the Shenandoah rifle(125cm)
Then there is the price difference off course.

Check this German site.

http://www.vorderlader-shop.de/index.ph ... list=KAT23

I'm sure that I will buy one of these rifles next year.
I'll keep you all posted.

Met vriendelijke groet,

Martin

Martin.
Click on the Pedersoli page on that site. Trust me, you can't get better than those and it gives you lots of time to save up...................you wouldn't regret it I promise you

Duncan,

Can you tell what the difference in quality is between Ardesa (Traditions) and Pedersoli rifles.
The price difference is huge.

Ardesa Kentucky in cal .45: € 250,-
Pedersoli Kentucky in cal .45: € 585,-

Ardesa Pennsylvania in cal .45: € 468,-
Pedersoli Pennsylvania in cal .45: € 720,-

Ardesa Shenandoah in cal .45: € 376,-
Pedersoli Alamo in cal .45: € 715,-

The twist of the Pedersoli barrel is 1:48 and the Ardesa barrel has a twist of 1:66.
I want to keep shooting roundballs, so I guess the 1:66 twist is the one I need.

There is a difference in barrel length too.
It varies from 840mm to 1050mm


I'd love to buy a rifle with double set triggers, which means that I will take the Kentucky rifle of my wish list.
I'm leaning towards the Ardesa Pennsylvania rifle.
It has set triggers, a 1022mm barrel and a twist of 1:66.
Total length is 1450mm ( a little over 57 inches)
No need to hurry though.
I turn 50 next year.
Maybe I'll buy myself a present.

Met vriendelijke groet,

Martin

I have no opinion about the difference between Ardesa (Traditions) and Pedersoli rifles and leave that for the person you asked to offer his comment. The really premo Italian maker is....or used to be... Uberti. The only Pederosli guns I have are pistols and they seem perfectly functional. What I have from Traditions, USA, and made in Spain by I don't know who, work fine too... two rifles.

I have three BP rifles with set triggers and a Kentucky and two others without the set triggers. Although the idea of the set trigger allowing you to squeeze off a more precise, steady, shot is probably valid to some degree.....for me it is the smallest part of the accuracy sum. The balance of the rifle, the twist, the load, and above all ..... the eyes and skill of the shooter are all more important. But the only way to find that out is to get your hands on one without a set trigger and try it out and see what you think.

I think if you put them side by side you will see the difference. I have to say that I am probably biased because I have shot both makes and contacted both makers for information and Pedersoli were much the better company.
That said, Robert is right to say that it is down to the shooter to decide.
I will send you a DVD by Davide Pedersoli which will certainly inform you of the company and it's attitude. Let me have it back please when you have seen it. It is in Italian but with English, French and German sub-titles.
Another plus for Pedersoli is that they produce a Black Powder Magazine which is free as a download. Have a look here. http://www.davide-pedersoli.com/guns-fo ... i.asp?l=en
I don't doubt that if you have any technical questions Pedersoli will be happy to answer them.

DuncaninFrance wrote: I will send you a DVD by Davide Pedersoli which will certainly inform you of the company and it's attitude. Let me have it back please when you have seen it. It is in Italian but with English, French and German sub-titles.

Duncan,

The Pedersoli DVD came in today...........FANTASTIC.
I've watched half of it today and love it.
Will check out the other half tomorrow.
I will mail it back to France ASAP.
Thanks.

Met vriendelijke groet,

Martin

No rush Martin. Copy it to your hard disk and you can watch it over and over

OK, I copied it to my hard disk Duncan.
I will mail the DVD back to you in the coming week.
Thanks again, I loved to watch it (all 5 times )

About my new addiction........if I don't win the lottery in the meantime I will buy the ARDESA Pennsylvania rifle.
I found one in a German gun shop that specializes in muzzle loaders.
It will take a couple of months before we drive over, but the owner assured me that he has more then one in stock.

Here's a link to the Pennsylvania rifle.

http://www.vorderlader-shop.de/index.ph ... ct=A001880


Met vriendelijke groet,

Martin

Hey Martin, what are friends for?