Caliber Opinions. First Build

[MSW]

my free advice:

.54, then a .40, followed by a .62 smoothie

You can never be too thin too rich, or have too many flintlocks

Make good Smoke!

 

[Are. M.]

Kibler Colonial .54 with a walnut stock should ship soon enough. Thanks for all the feedback. Time to go to school.

 

[Are. M.]

It came.

 

[Bighorserider]

The bigger the caliber the more power and lead you need. 50 is big enough for any game in the US except elk and grizzly bear. 40 or 45 will kill targets as well as a 62 and they have way less recoil so are more pleasant to shoot.

 

[kemart17]

I'm getting close to ordering a kit. Flintlock for sure. Lancaster or Colonial style. I haven't decided which kit or from whom, but that's not the point of this thread.

My question is, .50 or .54.

I'm not too concerned with historically correct calibers, but if I can get close, which one would it be? I'm leaning more toward the .54 because balls/patches are pretty easy to find, and I've never owned a .54, I read that the swamped .54's are lighter and are balanced better than the .50's.

Hit me with the facts.

-RM

.58 bigger is deffinently better

 

[Snakebite]

There are only two calibers. .54 or .40.
Lancaster .40 because it's a sweet shooter. A .54 ought to be a hunting rifle.
That means you need at least two rifles to get started.

Could not have said it better.

 

[Are. M.]

Barrel has been draw filed and placed in its channel after removing very little wood from the tang and bolster area. Trigger plate is installed as well.

 

[jarentz]

Looking good! keep us posted on the process.

 

[Are. M.]

It's been suggested that I replace the brass screws on the patchbox cover with countersunk, flat head steel screws. I used these because they were on hand and they're the brass equivalent of the round head screws on the buttplate. I have a cacameme scheme, though, to peen the rounded heads over to permanently affix it to the wood.

Thoughts?

 

[JCKelly]

Your gun.
But if you want it to look at all authentic, loose all of those brass screws. Brass screws were not used, At least not on any old gun I have looked over since Ike was a happy golfer.

 

[Grenadier1758]

@JCKelly is correct. Steel or iron screws were used. Oval headed slotted screws were used to fasten down those items that were not nailed down. Do a simple flame blue on the screw heads and your patch box fastening will look much better in my opinion. Then those screw will be consistent with the butt plate screws and the patch box latch.

 

[Are. M.]

Thanks for the input JC and Grenadier.

 

[Pa-brushbuster71]

Here’s a picture of my beautiful girl! View attachment 44654

That is a beautiful Gun.

 

[Magungo1066]

.54, no contest. Not a shoulder buster, but packs the wallop of a ford bronco. I have a beautiful .50, but I rarely shoot it over my .54. The difference in recoil is marginal, and the .54 hits much harder at range. Anything the .50 can do, the .54 does better. Futhermore, .54 has a cool factor that the .50 just cannot rival. I am going on a Black Bear hunt next August, and my .54 will surely come along for the ride. P.S. I just realized that your rifle has already arrived...Good choice and happy shooting!

 

[Are. M.]

Imma let y'all sneak a peek.

 

[SchwartzStock]

50

Once I was out of town and out of 54 caliber balls. Unable to find anything but 45 and 50 caliber made me wonder if I made the wrong selection for my flint Hawken.................

SS

 

[zerosprk]

Imma let y'all sneak a peek.

I like the carving you did on the stock. Did you do what came to mind or is there something out there that you used for inspiration?

 

[Are. M.]

I like the carving you did on the stock. Did you do what came to mind or is there something out there that you used for inspiration?

Thats a good question.

I started by looking at a bunch of pictutes of a bunch contemporary and original of rifles. I took that and ran with it. No real style, I just drew what looked good and felt balanced.

 

[Are. M.]

A couple of pictures for your enjoyment. I'm happy with my simply carved contemporary longrifle. It shoots good. A tad low at 35 yds, but I feel half of that is me. Shreds patches too. Gonna take the ol scotchbrite and smooth those rifling edges. Any other tips from the pros?

 

[Grenadier1758]

Usually the front sights on a new rifle are too tall and the gun will shoot low. This allows for some leeway as load development takes place. Its not entirely you. @Are. M.