choosing a longrifle

[glrerun]

I am looking to have a longrifle made for me, but looking for some feedback what maker I should purchase from.

I have a 12" to 12.1/2" pull so I am probably looking for a semi-custom piece.

Currently thinking of a TVM Iron Pennsylvania Rifle in .32 with a 36" or 42" barrel.

Would like to consider other makers, but I my budget is in the $1,000 to $1,500 range.

What are your suggestions or ideas.

 

[KansasSmokePole]

I would keep looking at the classifieds on this forum as well as on the Contemporary Longrifle Association website. There are several extremely talented builders out there. I bought an Andreas Albrecht inspired .58 cal longrifle last year from Andy Hodgkins of Black Dog Arms of Vermont. He is a true artist in my opinion and he was a pleasure to deal with.

 

[hanshi]

TVM is an excellent choice as is keeping an eye on the classifieds. Gently used rifles make a good purchase.

 

[roundball]

If new I'd recommend TVM.

Also as a side note...be certain of your intended uses before deciding on a caliber. The tiny .32cal is very limited in what it can do...while a .40 still offers a lot of the same small caliber benefits, it has much greater flexibility in ways it can be used.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Roundball is quite correct. You have a limited budget, so consider what happens a couple of years from now when you decide to try for deer, and find you need at least a .45 in your state? You can load down the .45 for small game and targets, you can't legally use a .36 even with conicals when the caliber minimum is .40 or .45.

Look at swamped barrels, and consider 38" as well as 36 and 42. I was looking for a swamped 42" for my rifle needs. What I found had a 38" swamped barrel and I couldn't be happier.

After you consider quality components, the rest is aesthetics. Frankly, I think "iron Pennsylvania" is a contradiction in terms. I think Pennsylvania and Maryland rifles are in brass, and Southern rifles can be in iron... I also think that tractors are green and pickup trucks are red... :haha: ...but guess what...it's not my rifle, so do what you want. If it shoots well, nobody, not even I, will give you a grief over it. :wink: I saw a feller about twenty years ago with a pretty crude rifle at the fall BP shoot at Fort Frederick..., he took home a nice prize. Saw him again at a private shoot...he took home a nice ham.... so much for looking crude eh? :wink:

LD

 

[Rifleman1776]

Caliber is your choice, but, as others have said, the usefullness of those tiny balls is very limited.
With the budget you are working with, the classified ads here and elsewhere might be your best bet for finding something you like. For custom builds another $500.00 will probably be needed.

 

[stinkyfeet]

I agree with the others i have a 32 and its cheap and easy to shoot but you are very limited on what you can do with it, and sometimes the smaller caliber guns won't move a target on a woods walk and be counted as a miss. I love the 45 cal and would be my single choice it I could have only one. You can go up in charge and use conicals and hunt large game with around 70 grains of 3f, scale done to 20-40 grains on squirrels, and I stay around 50 for targets, it will buck the wind better as well. Others have said to watch the classified ads but chances are you will never find one in your LOP usually that short of a LOP become hand down weapons for kids.

 

[MSW]

Roundball is quite correct. You have a limited budget, so consider what happens a couple of years from now when you decide to try for deer, and find you need at least a .45 in your state? You can load down the .45 for small game and targets, you can't legally use a .36 even with conicals when the caliber minimum is .40 or .45.

Look at swamped barrels, and consider 38" as well as 36 and 42. I was looking for a swamped 42" for my rifle needs. What I found had a 38" swamped barrel and I couldn't be happier.

After you consider quality components, the rest is aesthetics. Frankly, I think "iron Pennsylvania" is a contradiction in terms. I think Pennsylvania and Maryland rifles are in brass, and Southern rifles can be in iron... I also think that tractors are green and pickup trucks are red... :haha: ...but guess what...it's not my rifle, so do what you want. If it shoots well, nobody, not even I, will give you a grief over it. :wink: I saw a feller about twenty years ago with a pretty crude rifle at the fall BP shoot at Fort Frederick..., he took home a nice prize. Saw him again at a private shoot...he took home a nice ham.... so much for looking crude eh? :wink:

LD

(emphasis added)

he's right: tractors are green and trucks are red. milk comes from cows and eggs come from the back end of a chicken ...

For what it's worth, I would look to a .45 if that's going to be your only rifle forever, with no chance of another gun. ever. ... no, really ...

if you will never hunt deer, stick to a .40, but if there's any chance that you may someday want to turn Bambi into little white packages, go with a .45, and while I'm crashing about dispensing advice willy- nilly, I would look for a swamped 38 inch barel.

free advice, and no doubt well worth the price!

 

[roundball]

There's a like new .40cal in the classifieds with a shorter than normal LOP at 13 & 1/4"...Been listed for a very long time...don't know how you measured your LOP...but maybe you could make that work

 

[glrerun]

All great ideas. I have been hunting with conventional firearms all my life, but am new to black powder. I currently own a CVA Hawken .50 that takes conicals well, so this will not be my only gun. I would rather shoot RPB.

I originally was thinking about a .45 but everything I read led me to believe that a .45 is anemic for deer hunting and anything over.36 is too destructive for small game. I did not realize that a .32 would be too light to move a target and would not hold up to the wind.

My thoughts were to get a small game gun and then later invest in a .54 for big game. Maybe I should rethink towards that .45 class

Good point about the Pennsylvania rifle being brass, I really like the iron furniture, but I do want to be HC

 

[galamb]

A 45 is only "anemic" for deer if the user is used to using a 7 MM Rem Mag.

I have been using a 40 for a number of years and have not lost a deer shot with it - there are many CF shooters than can not say that.

If you can only have one rifle it should be a 45. Since you already have a 50 then a 40 or 45 is an "ideal partner".

 

[Col. Batguano]

And a 7mm mag is anemic compared to a bazooka. Even elephants have been killed with a .22 lr, so it's all about shot placement. LR's and PRB's are just not as efficient as modern stuff in the killing department, so shot placement is more critical.

 

[Wes/Tex]

And a 7mm mag is anemic compared to a bazooka. Even elephants have been killed with a .22 lr, so it's all about shot placement. LR's and PRB's are just not as efficient as modern stuff in the killing department, so shot placement is more critical.

Good ole Batguano's comments can't be stressed enough. Shot placement is THE key to success. As mentioned above, some do well with a .40 but I've seen some spectacular failures with that caliber from poor shooting and usually don't recommend it for deer...due strictly from past experience with low time hunters who don't have a clue to where a deer's heart and lungs are really located. Have seen similar poor results with .45 and .50 caliber guns as well, so it's not just the .40's fault, though larger calibers can somewhat overcome bad shot placement...but never rely on that!! We all have our bad days, but aiming at a game animal should't be the start of one! :thumbsup: It's like the advice of getting to Carnegie Hall... "Practice, practice, practice!" Shot placement is the key to success...first, last and always!!!

 

[BigBoreBLR]

I know someone who breaks the law in NY during muzzie season.

He uses a 40 cal with much success. A officer saw it once. He was too interested in the rifle itself to bother with the bore size.

45 is fine. Easier on powder and lead than 50.

A shorter LOP also effects the comb, atleast in the shotgun world it does.

If going custom, get fitted in person.....

 

[hanshi]

I'll have to throw in with the .45 guys. It has always been my favorite and has taken the most deer for me. It's very effective on deer and loaded down isn't out of reason for small game. For targets it can't be beat. I have three and that should tell you something. My favorite is a TVM late Lancaster. I highly recommend TVM for a custom rifle. They're not a costly as you might think,

 

[azmntman]

I highly recommend TVM for a custom rifle.

Is this the same CO that has "Matt" working? Saw a prior post about a problemo not dealt with if it is? (I have no advise one way or the other but as I too may soon think custom wanna make sure, I am keeping a list)

 

[Flash Pan Dan]

I have had less than satisfactory dealings with Matt’s TVM shop, but nothing but praise for Tip Curtis. Give him a call and he can fix you up with exactly what you are looking for and well within your price range.

Tip Curtis Frontier Shop
4445 Jernigan Rd.
Cross Plains,Tn.37049
615-654-4445
Tip Curtis email [email protected]

 

[Spikebuck]

My thoughts were to get a small game gun and then later invest in a .54 for big game. Maybe I should rethink towards that .45 class

Another option to do small and large game would be a smoothbore.

 

[54ball]

I have a 12" to 12.1/2" pull so I am probably looking for a semi-custom piece.

Some thoughts and facts...

There is more to gun fit than length of pull.

Length of pull is the most forgiving aspect of fit.

For instance on rifles I have owned, one was an inch too long by traditional LOP. It handed beautifully and was a pleasure to shoot. On the other hand a gun I had built with the specified LOP, I find it a struggle to find a good anchor point for my cheek.

Since LOP can be so forgiving, it also can be one of the the lesser factors in fit.

Rifles are more forgiving than shotguns as far as fit.

So since length of pull can be a lesser factor, I urge you to try as many rifles as you can. Go to shows shops and shoots. If your close visit someone like Tip Curtis who has a large selection.

13.5 inches gets you into the average LOP. Before you plop down the money blindly, try many different lengths and stock designs.

PS
TVM may not be a good option for you. If you do indeed need a "custom fit". I do not think they can easily adjust the drop, comb line and other factors in fit. Sure they can shorten their standard rifle, but like I said there is more to it than that. Try as many rifles as you can. Talk to the builder like TVM and see if they can Truly fit one to your specs.

 

[glrerun]

is there a way to get measured for fit. I have thought about getting fit with a try-gun several years ago, but conventional shotgun fit is much different than a longrifle fit I am sure.