First Build with a Couple of Pictures

oldschoolhunter55 said:

a job very well done. . thanks for showing.and a very nice buck too!!!!!

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James Holler said:

thank you! I killed that buck with an old .58 caliber antonio zoli. That gun has killed a pile of deer.

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James Holler said:

It was raining on me off and on, but luckily a 60 grain charge of FFFg produced fairly tight groups. I only ran a patch through it twice and the consistency far surpassed my expectations. I shot the group I am pictured with at 45 yards and it was the first group I have ever shot with a flintlock rifle. I ran a fouling shot prior to shooting the group, and I was very pleased with that group. I moved back to 100 yards and shot a 3 shot group to round out the day. 1.5" at 100 is something I never thought possible. Thank you all for unknowingly giving me advice through this process. I am beyond pleased with the performance so far.
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oldschoolhunter55 said:

wow weee!!!! that's some nice shooting. congrats. very well done. thanks for sharing

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James Holler said:

Thank you sir!

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James Holler said:

This is the first time I have ever posted here in the group, but I have been following along intently over the last 2 years learning a lot and using that information on my first build. She has plenty of flaws and mistakes, but I just see them as opportunity for improvement on the next one. I left it in the white for now as I work up a load and hunt with it for the remainder of December here in South Carolina. My plan is to rust blue with Laurel Mountain in January if I don't grow to love the bare metal.

She has a 42" Colerain .54 caliber swamped barrel 1-56" twist
Chambers Lock
I found a piece of curly maple I liked and made the stock from that.

I will be working up a load on Tuesday, so I will post an update on how she performs.

Once again, thank you all for the education.

Jamie Holler
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Flint1 said:

What part of Lancaster County you are in? I live in Mt. Pleasant across the river from Charleston but am originally from Kershaw. Graduated from Andrew Jackson in 1976, The Citadel in 1980, then in the Army. Moved to Mt. Pleasant after resigning from The Army. I just inherited a couple hundred acres from my mom I share with two cousins, a little in Lancaster County but the bulk in Kershaw County.

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bpd303 said:

I say if that is your first rifle build ya done good. It's a fantastic rifle and I would be proud to own it.
I also like my ram rods to have a little tension so they don't slid out under recoil, been known to add a little wood to tighten them up. I also like in the white as it will age into a beautiful grey just keep it oiled.

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Flint1 said:

What part of Lancaster County you are in? I live in Mt. Pleasant across the river from Charleston but am originally from Kershaw. Graduated from Andrew Jackson in 1976, The Citadel in 1980, then in the Army. Moved to Mt. Pleasant after resigning from The Army. I just inherited a couple hundred acres from my mom I share with two cousins, a little in Lancaster County but the bulk in Kershaw County.

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James Holler said:

Hey man! I am not far from you. I live in between Lancaster and Kershaw. I hunt out your way on some public ground. My wife went to Buford, but I am originally from Rock Hill. I lived in Mt. Pleasant for 4 years in undergrad and played baseball for CofC. Ended up going back to medical school and graduating from MUSC in 2016. Such a small world.

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James Holler said:

Hey man! I am not far from you. I live in between Lancaster and Kershaw. I hunt out your way on some public ground. My wife went to Buford, but I am originally from Rock Hill. I lived in Mt. Pleasant for 4 years in undergrad and played baseball for CofC. Ended up going back to medical school and graduating from MUSC in 2016. Such a small world.

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Flint1 said:

Sure is. The army was like that. Serve with someone in an assignment, and a couple years later run into them again in another assignment or TDY trip. I've actually lived in Mt. Pleasant since 1987. My daughter was finishing kindergarten while we were in California so I resigned to keep from moving her around every 2-3 years. The night my daughter graduated high school I told my wife I could go back into the army and she emphatically said no you're not. Early next month will be 4 years since my wife passed away. She is buried in the Kershaw city cemetery. I try to get up there as much as possible, but not often enough for me. Once my cousins and I divide the land I may have someone come out with a bulldozer and push up some backstops at 25,50, and 100 yards to make myself a small range. I just heard today this weekend will be the last time our club shoots on our range because the land is being sold. I may have to build myself a range on my own land.

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