Customizing the Traditions Kentucky rifle kit

Boatncamp · Jul 21, 2020

I just picked up a Traditions Kentucky Rifle kit .50 cal / flintlock and I was wondering if other people had experience with customizing these. I have not built a kit in 40 years and as I look at the ones that I did back then, they are not very good. Just retired and so I am planning on working on this through the fall and early winter, taking my time. Just wondered what people would recommend adding. Also, does anyone make a one piece replacement stock for these? Got the kit for a steal from a guy who was given it as a gift and had no desire to pursue black powder / flintlocks so investing in some add-ons will not break the bank. My plans are to do some practice on this one and then buy one of Tracks Willits Brown Bess kits next year. Thinking about adding a patch box, perhaps a thumb piece, and some other stock inlay. Any constructive thoughts? I know these are not historically accurate kits but for $200 I am just looking for some practice.

Thanks,

Woody

Phil Coffins · Jul 21, 2020

There’s a few threads here on building these kits. Some did a fair amount of improvements others just got them to shoot. Do a search to find them as some have pictures that are helpful.

Tumbledown · Jul 21, 2020

You came to the right place.

I have built 2, one percussion, one flint. Look up my posts here for details on what I did. With some effort, they can look pretty nice, and are good shooters for the money.

old ugly · Jul 23, 2020

JB67 said:
You came to the right place. I have built 2, one percussion, one flint. Look up my posts here for details on what I did. With some effort, they can look pretty nice, and are good shooters for the money.
View attachment 37524 View attachment 37525

question. do those rifle kits have a two pc stock?

Phil Coffins · Jul 23, 2020

Phil Coffins · Jul 23, 2020

Another tread on this kit.
https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/traditions-kit-modified-build.112396/

Boatncamp · Jul 27, 2020

Thank you Phil and everyone else.
I am checking out various things to add some flash to the kit that are on TOW.

Eager to start it, but summer here in upstate NY is too short so the projects around the house come first.

Woody

bang · Jul 27, 2020

Other than adding some filler to stock seam they built pretty nice.

Ajgall · Aug 1, 2020

I built one with a southern mountain style patchbox. I think it turned out ok.

Boatncamp · Aug 3, 2020

Yes, I am thinking that I will add a patch box of some design if not just for the added practice of inleting. That along with some stars at the barrel pins and perhaps something on the wrist. I will have to check out the nose cap to see how much metal can be removed to to match a thinning of the forestock where it meets the barrel. Thanks to all that have shared

Woody

Nutnfancy · Aug 3, 2020

I would say when it comes to building a kit no matter what kind it is you are limited only by your imagination. Its your gun, do what you want. I just wish when I built my T/C Renegade 30+ years ago I would have done something to it. But like some I just wanted something to shoot.

awreis · Sep 29, 2024

Tumbledown said:
You came to the right place. I have built 2, one percussion, one flint. Look up my posts here for details on what I did. With some effort, they can look pretty nice, and are good shooters for the money.
View attachment 37524 View attachment 37525

How deep were you able to make the recess in the stock for the patch box on the flintlock?

Banjoman · Sep 29, 2024

Ajgall said:
I built one with a southern mountain style patchbox. I think it turned out ok.

I’d like to do this to my Kentucky.

Tumbledown · Sep 30, 2024

awreis said:
How deep were you able to make the recess in the stock for the patch box on the flintlock?

I went about half an inch, but could have gone a bit deeper.

bldtrailer · Sep 30, 2024

mhuffman217 · Oct 3, 2024

Boatncamp said:
I just picked up a Traditions Kentucky Rifle kit .50 cal / flintlock and I was wondering if other people had experience with customizing these. I have not built a kit in 40 years and as I look at the ones that I did back then, they are not very good. Just retired and so I am planning on working on this through the fall and early winter, taking my time. Just wondered what people would recommend adding. Also, does anyone make a one piece replacement stock for these? Got the kit for a steal from a guy who was given it as a gift and had no desire to pursue black powder / flintlocks so investing in some add-ons will not break the bank. My plans are to do some practice on this one and then buy one of Tracks Willits Brown Bess kits next year. Thinking about adding a patch box, perhaps a thumb piece, and some other stock inlay. Any constructive thoughts? I know these are not historically accurate kits but for $200 I am just looking for some practice.

Thanks,

Woody

I ordered a 3/16" thick piece of beech and matched the grain best I could and used it replace the brass stock spacer. I will add pictures as the process continues

ChuckJonesWagon · Oct 3, 2024

Tumbledown said:
You came to the right place. I have built 2, one percussion, one flint. Look up my posts here for details on what I did. With some effort, they can look pretty nice, and are good shooters for the money.
View attachment 37524 View attachment 37525

WOW!! You did a very nice job on these!!

Tumbledown · Oct 4, 2024

ChuckJonesWagon said:
WOW!! You did a very nice job on these!!

Thank you! I've since done a 3rd as a half stock.

Trot · Oct 5, 2024

The best way to improve these is not so much add to but to take away. Shaping the forend and lock panels are a must!

ChuckJonesWagon · Oct 5, 2024

Trot said:
The best way to improve these is not so much add to but to take away. Shaping the forend and lock panels are a must!

Yes....it's the old gun builders saying....if you think you have removed enough wood, remove some more as you're not done yet.

Customizing the Traditions Kentucky rifle kit

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