side by side smoke pole

[MountainWalk]

any one ever shoot own or handle a double barreled muzzleloader? been looking at a few on gunbroker.

[RG]

I haven't but it seems to me that somewhere back in the cobwebs of my memory I remember they used to make a .58 caliber.  It may have been called a Kodiak Double Rifle.  You can only load one barrel at a time for hunting though I believe.

[MountainWalk]

well, it can be charged, but not capped. but no matter.. thinking of using it during modern gun. yes, the kodiak. saw one online. made in 50 54 58 and 72.  id sure take a 50 but im a glutton for punishment so id dearly like the 72.

[RG]

I can't imagine the .72 has much range, that's got to be a really heavy ball.  I'd probably go with the .54 if I had a choice, I've had nothing but great performance out of 220 grain .54 roundballs for 30 years.  I'm sure they all get the job done though.  If you buy an old muzzleloader be careful that the barrel isn't corroded out.  If they are taken care of they last a really long time, Both of mine are 20 years old and good as new.  If a gun isn't cleaned after being shot with blackpowder it can be ruined in less than a year.

[whacker1]

picked up a couple, they were very heavy to handle.

[MountainWalk]

how true. i shoot an older hawken 50. read ya on the soap and water.  understand your drift on the range, but where i hunt mostly, it's mostly a 150 to 100 yard max deal. besides, plan on getting closer. have owned side by side shotties for some time and love doubles. cant afford one in smokeless but there seems to be a few deals on blackpowder used.  nah.. i LIKE the 72, but hells bells id settle for any legal cal.   btw in my hawkin im using the heavy buffalo bullets over 85 grs. standard number 11 caps.

[MountainWalk]

mr whacker, what did  ye do with them? still own them?

[RG]

I'm sure the Kodiak rifles shoot well, they were victims of the inline revolution probably.  The gun I use the most is an early Hawken style full stock flintlock.  It has a 32 inch green mtn .54 barrel and shoots better than I do.  I use 90 grains of fff goex and a .20 patch around a .535 round ball.  That load shoots holes that touch each other at 50 yards and is right in there as well as I can shoot iron sights at 100 yards.  This year it busted the front leg on an elk and still got into his heart.  He went 5 steps and tipped over.  I've killed two other elk and probably four muleys with it. I also have a .50 Tennessee Mtn rifle in flint.  It has a 41 1/2 inch barrel and shoots really tight too.  I shot a mule deer with it a few years ago, it worked fine.  I get a little better velocity with the longer barrels.  They are both heavy, near 10 lbs, but they are very steady for an offhand shot with the weight out front like that.  I built both of them from Track of the Wolf parts.

[MountainWalk]

im not so trusting with frizzens and pans and ingneius rocks!  my hawken is a plain jane off the rack model. only change is new rear sight. hunted black powder waaaay back in arkansas. did it for the first time in ages this year and im so hooked.   aye,i agree. i like the front weight feeling for off hand shooting. thanks brother..   the one im looking at close like is an older cva 50

[RG]

Good luck with the search!

[whacker1]

mr whacker, what did  ye do with them? still own them?

No just handled them at the gunatorium before the owner passed and the kids closed the business.  2 octagon barrels made it extremely forearm heavy, much more than a double barrel shotgun. It looked awesome, but not for me

[whacker1]

I see how my post was confusing.  By picked up, I mean handled.  I never purchased any.  sorry, poor choice of words on my part

[Serious Redneck]

I got a percussion double 12 ga. with 32 " barrels.  Made in India in 1974, very cool gun, hand checkered grips and forearm.  Very fun to shoot.  You can still get the double rifle, I think pedersoli makes/sell (prob. bought the Kodiak rights, they look identical to the old ads) them.  I remember the old kodiaks were supposedly sighted for both barrels to have the same POI at 75 yards.