.50 Dixie Tennessee

[Loyalist Dave]

I got a handle on a .50 caliber, Dixie Tennessee flintlock rifle. The seller says it's not very pretty, with some woods-wear, but he and two other fellows have used it to win some matches. I told him that as long as it shoots straight and is reliable on ignition I wouldn't complain. He also said it has an L&R lock, so I think that means it has the L&R after market lock to "upgrade" the rifle from the Dixie lock. So..., I'm excited.

LD

 

[excess650]

I owned one back in the early 1980s, and foolishly sold it. I ran across another about 15 years ago, NIB, and bought it. It has been stone reliable ignition wise, so I haven't replaced the lock. They ARE muzzle heavy, but I shoot this one better offhand than any of my lighter (hunting) rifles. "Woods wear" should imply character rather than looking drug down a dirt road behind a truck.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Yeah I know right? The seller is a very well respected, older fellow, with a fine reputation for what he sells, so I am safe in taking a good look at it. He likes some fancy rifles with lots of engraving and such, and doesn't use those for "makin' meat" so right now I'm guessing that what he means is a few scratches and dings....not something that was used to pole the pirogue across a pond and put away wet. :haha:

LD

 

[kodiakmarine]

I remember well the Dixie Tennessee Mountain Rifle. I admired it but could not afford one at that time, although I knew others who had them. They had great styling and shot accurately. Congratulations on your find. :thumbsup: - John

 

[Cruzatte]

The Dixie .50 TMR was the first muzzleloader I owned. I bought it back in the early '80s. And it shot better than I could hold. And yes, I do remember how muzzle heavy it was. But reliable? Oh yeah! That rifle taught me a lot about shooting flintlocks.

 

[nwtradegun]

top load from Dixie was 70 gr. 2f

 

[nwtradegun]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4segcPzwcsk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOrox3pWKik https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0NRZL9xXAk

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Thanks RJ!

I am partial to a 70 grain load, myself, in three of my other rifles/guns. So we'll see.

LD

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

I've had 3 in the past 30-years ... 2 right-handed and 1 left-handed. All were more accurate than I could ever hold consistently, but I always tired - no pun intended - at how darn muzzle heavy they were with that straight barrel profile.

I bought the lefty with the intent to cut it back to a 36" or so barrel, whatever would work best/balance with the remaining ramrod pipes. But another lefty offered me much more $$ for it than I had into it ... so SOLD! At least I put the funds into the custom LH swamped longrifle I'm having built.

But I always found those Dixie Poor Boy rifles to be reliable as well as accurate! You'll have fun with it!

 

[satx78247]

WOW. I wish that I could FIND a left-hand TMR for sale.= I've looked for over 2 years W/O any luck whatever.

yours, satx

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

WOW. I wish that I could FIND a left-hand TMR for sale.= I've looked for over 2 years W/O any luck whatever.

Ahhh, you missed it, was sold from here ... sorry.

I do have a lefty Lyman GPR flint 54 for sale, but there is one ahead of you, however while they haven't commited ... yet, they do have 1st refusal.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Well I got a nice deal, fur sur. :wink:

As expected the seller's idea of "woods wear" was a few dings, and I had to look hard to find them. It has a very well installed L&R after-market "replacement" lock.

Not only did I get the rifle, I got a Rapine mold ordered and made into .495 because that's what this rifle likes with a .010 patch. I got a box of .495 balls, a priming horn, an antler measure in 70 grains, a couple of turn-screws, a plain full sized horn - light brown for the woods, patches, flints, a wisk and pick, and a Terry Crawford shooting bag, plus a blanket cover. :shocked2:

So, WOW she is very nose heavy compared to my 39", swamped, .54 Colerain barrel on my PA Mountain Rifle. The rifle itself is 3 lbs. heavier than my primary hunting rifle.

So I'm thinking match rifle for this one?

LD

 

[hanshi]

It's obvious to me now that you made out like a thief. :thumbsup:

 

[kodiakmarine]

I believe you are right about it being a match rifle. I think that is why Turner Kirkland went with the 15/16 barrel instead of the lighter 7/8. He wanted it to be a competitive match rifle. Every time a rifle is fired there is a certain amount of "flex" to the barrel which affects accuracy. The heavier the barrel, the less flex and the more accurate the barrel becomes. Good luck at the range! :thumbsup: - John

 

[R.C.BINGAMAN]

Hi, Stax just looked at two this week end in Chambersburg Pa. One of them has had the barrel shortened a bit, the other one is in excellent condition. both are left handed, They are at Fort Chambers black powder shop in Chambersburg Pa. The owners name is Jim I do not have the phone # handy but if you are interested p.m. me and I will contact him for the particulars. I have one in .32 cal, if not for the missus I would buy the one definitely. But I all ready have a few fine custom built lefties. R.C.BINGAMAN,AN APPALICHIAN HUNTER

 

[Black Jack]

If I remember correctly (always in doubt these days), the .50 Dixie Tennessee Mountain Rifle was originally produced with a 7/8" barrel. It was later increased to 15/16", for whatever reason I don't know. Whatever the reason, it does make for a pretty hefty rifle.

 

[varsity07840]

If I remember correctly (always in doubt these days), the .50 Dixie Tennessee Mountain Rifle was originally produced with a 7/8" barrel. It was later increased to 15/16", for whatever reason I don't know. Whatever the reason, it does make for a pretty hefty rifle.

That's my recollection, too. Mine was 15/16". I eventually cut it back to 34" and freshed it out to .54

 

[excess650]

Well I got a nice deal, fur sur. :wink:

As expected the seller's idea of "woods wear" was a few dings, and I had to look hard to find them. It has a very well installed L&R after-market "replacement" lock.
LD

We'll be expecting a range report. 70gr seems to be a ballpark load for .50s with PRB, but don't be surprised if it wants more.

 

[azmntman]

or less :wink:

 

[Beaver3365]

I have one that I bought in the 80's. Its my go to for deer. Really front heavy but a nail driver. Not a rockcrusher. If you lay her in a tree fork, she's good at a hundred.