Beginner Shotgun Kit

[BarryOnly]

Hi Everybody,

Been reading the builders forum for a couple months, trying to get a feel for what it takes to build a BP gun. I want to build a shotgun, not a rifle, but I have only found one supplier who sells shotgun kits, and they are way beyond my price range. Does anybody know where I can order a shotgun kit that is around the same price as the beginner rifle kits? Also, if not, can I use a smooth bore barrel with any of the beginner rifle kits.

Thanks.
Barry

 

[Bountyhunter]

You dont say what your budget is. A number of good makers have kits for NW Trade Guns and Fowlers. These guns have 20 ga barrels and fire either ball or shot. They start around $450 for the kits. Some of them are available in 16 ga and 12 ga for a little extra money.

 

[big bore 75]

One big question to ask what type of shotgun? single shot , side by side, flint or percusion? he eaisest first time would be a pecussion,. bb75

 

[BarryOnly]

Sorry about the lack of details. I was hoping to find a single barrel 12 gauge shotgun kit, flint or percussion doesn't matter as it will be my first gun and I will likely upgrade in the future once I know exactly what I want. I was hoping to find something in the $250-$300 price range like the hawken rifle kits sold by dixie gun works.

BTW, for difficulty level, how difficult is a level 2 gun to build. I am pretty good with my hands, but I have no knowledge of BP guns and know nobody to help me if I run into problems.

Thanks again.
Barry

 

[big bore 75]

unfortunatly the price range your looking at most likely your not going to find a new kit, you might find a used gun for that, but if you can contact tennesse valley manufactureing.
Jack sells a poor boy fowler kit for $410.00 it's in 20 ga but with a little perswaion I betyou can get it in 12ga. the lock is a large Siler and that can be converted to percussion, I'll bet Jack can take care of you.
I lost my web site for the nortwest co. that makes trade guns I think they were in the 500.00 range not sure some else might have a web site try Jack you won't go wrong. bb75

 

[aragorn]

Try Jim Chambers or Track of the Wolf. They call shotguns fowlers. But you won't get anything from them in your price range, I think.

 

[BarryOnly]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Since I will have to exceed what I was hoping to spend, I am strongly thinking of grabbing the pedersoli 12ga. double barrel kit from DGW. It is going for $450, and I think the 2 different chokes will be more versatile.

Does anybody have any expierience with this kit or gun? It is rated a level 2 build and I have no previous experience, but I am pretty good at figuring things out.

 

[big bore 75]

I have and they are fairally straight forward,with instuctions, I just wish I kept the 4 I had have fun and if ya ave problems just ask. bb75

 

[44-henry]

You could build a single barrel halfstock fowler for that price if your a good scrounger. Back in the 80's Muzzleblasts had an article on building one of these using a modern shotgun barrel blank supplied by Dixie Gun Works and a back action lock. It all depends on how authentic you want to get, Track sells a half octagon fowler barrel in their catalog for under $150 that should work. If you made a lot of your hardware you could still probably make a decent style fowler for your price range if your good with your hands. You could also make an extremely nice double gun for that price range in either flint or percussion if you bought William Brockways manual on building double barrel shotguns, the key is you have to make a lot of your own components.

 

[jdixon]

I have one of the these Pedersoli SXS's in 10 ga. w/ the choke tubes. Very nice gun. Can't comment about the kits as I bought it from Cabela's a few years ago. Its a great gun for turkey hunting, have used it on dove believe it or not, just loaded it way down. Would be O.K. for duck hunting, though as with any BP shotgun, effective range is limited. IMO it is a little too heavy for any kind of upland bird hunting where you are walking and carrying it all day. I believe doing that with this gun would wear a normal man out.

 

[hawk]

Berry
Try Loyalist arms and repair.
They are in Harrietsfield,Nova Scotia
:hatsoff:

 

[BarryOnly]

Thanks everybody.

Alexander - I appreciate the advice, but I know almost nothing about firearms as I've only ever hunted with a bow. I am sure that I will get into it, and as I did with bow building, I will quickly progress into making all of my own parts, but until I know what what any of those parts are, I am going to stick to a kit. Otherwise, I am sure that the savings will quickly evaporate if I try to do it from scratch. I do read a lot and will look into getting that book.

BB75 - Thanks. Its comforting to know that I am not going to get in over my head. Once I am shooting the first gun I am sure that I will meet others in my area that will be able to help me.

J.R. - I looked at the 10ga model, but it has a modified choke where the 12 has an improved cylinder. Since I will be using this gun for rabbits and partridge, I would like one barrel that scatters a little more, so I think that the 12 would be a better option. As for the weight, I am a little bigger and stronger than average so I don't expect to have any issue with a 7 lb gun.

Hawk2 - Thanks. I had every intention of checking out the local merchants before I started ordering away. I've been out of province for the last 6 weeks, so I've been doing my research over the net to kill time. I am home now, so I will check out loyalist this week.