Custom builders

[bstarkey]

Greetings all,
I'm new to the forum and previously solicited info about a muzzleloader for hunting. I got some good feedback on a few factory made models. If I decide to go the factory route, it will most likely be a percussion Lyman GPR in 50 cal.

However, I'm a big fan of custom longbows and knives and in sticking with the tradition of supporting craftsman, I have been looking at a few custom models on Track of the Wolf's website. I honestly don't mind spending the money for a quality rifle. But, just like bowyers and bladesmiths, there are always those to avoid and those that are hot. There are a few particular flintlocks I've got my eye on. I'm not sure how folks feel about publicly posting builder's name so I'll refrain. Are these rifles usually tuned and ready to hunt?

I'm seriously considering having TVM build one, but would first like to explore my options. Are there any reputable custom builders that someone could recommend?

Thanks,
Bob

 

[Homesteader]

Well, I'm not shy about mentioning a name. And that name is our own Roy Stroh.

I've been shooting black powder since the mid '70's, and it was always good. A little while back I decided I wanted to try a truly quality gun, and several guys recommended him to me. I contacted Roy, found he really worked with me and cared about making the gun I wanted, and I've now got a functional work of art that I will treasure until my final day on the planet. I had no idea just how much better a quality custom arm is over a production piece. Night and day.

And as for how I feel about my experience with this particular builder: I'm having him build me another right now. Top notch all the way.

I'd highly recommend a custom build whether with Roy or one of the other builders. Just nothing like it.

 

[tnlonghunter]

TVM rifles are great - though it's worth knowing (in case you didn't already) that there are 2 TVMs. One is Tennessee Valley Muzzleloading, I think owned by Matt Avance, and one is Tennessee Valley Manufacturing, owned by Jack Garner. My rifle is one of Jack Garner's and it's great. I don't believe you could go wrong with one of his.

Have you considered a "kit" that you build yourself? With some time and a lot of patience you'd get your custom rifle at a fraction of the total cost for getting someone else to build one.

Having said that, there are lots of really good custom builders. Just depends on what you want to spend. I don't personally know many of them, so I'll let others submit names.

One that I do know is a guy named Steve Davis, down in Centerville, TN. He's my parents' neighbor, and makes amazing rifles. They're something like $7,000, but worth it if you want to spend the money. Unfortunately, he doesn't have a website, but if you're interested, PT me.

Another option is Tip Curtis' Frontier Shop, just north of Nashville (the actual location escapes me). He's got lots of rifles in stock that are "in the white" (built, but without stain and finish) that you can finish yourself. They're very nice, too. I've been to his store and handled them. Since your location is SE Arkansas, you could pretty easily make the drive to Tip's shop and pick one out.

Finally, also since you're in Arkansas, there's Danny Caywood. I don't know him, but Steve Davis is a friend of his and swears by his work. So do lots of people here.

 

[rabjr]

Pretty much anything I'd have to say would echo what Homesteader said as I am lucky enough to own three one of a kind custom Roy Stroh guns. His is the only one who's work I have seen up close but there are others worth looking into here as well like Mike Brooks and Birddog6 just to name a couple. :thumbsup:

 

[MikeC]

Can't go wrong with Roy Stroh or Mike Brooks. I own one from each. Check their websites each has some guns for sale that may suit you, or email them about a build.

 

[John Tice]

Roy Stroh built me the Hudson Valley Fowler on his website. His work is outstanding and its the best made, best blanced and best shooting gun I've ever handled after shooting flinters for 20 years.

 

[RJR]

Bob, Don't get in a big rush to have a custom gun. Make sure of what you want and what will work best for you first; fit, weight, caliber, barrel length. As far as a builder, you won't have to look far. Just hang in the builders forum and you will find some of the finest builders in the country (might as well say world, as there aren't many places where our guns are still built), we've got the best ones. Most importantly, ask questions to find out what you want.

 

[tnlonghunter]

I would heartily second DEADDAWG's advice. A custom rifle is a wonderful thing, assuming it is custom made to your real needs and wishes. Otherwise, it might be nice but not quite what's best. So while I'd be willing to pay several thousand dollars for the right rifle from the right builder, it assumes that I know exactly what is the right rifle for my needs.

That's why I suggested the idea of "kit" from TOTW, Jim Chambers, Pecatonica, or others. If you can, handle or even shoot lots of different rifles, then maybe do a semi-custom kit (even have someone else put it together for you if you're not comfortable building yourself). If that works well, then you may be happy as is. Or it might just send you down the road to being ready for a full custom later. But like DAWG says, go slow and have fun doing it.

 

[hanshi]

There are quite a few good builders out there who can make up what you're looking for. TVM (there are actually two; Tennessee Valley Mfg. & Tennessee Valley Muzzleloading) is a good place to start. My experience has been with the latter one (Matt Avance). A custom muzzleloader from TVM is not as expensive as one might suspect. The quality is unsurpassed. The advantage of a custom is that it will be built to your lop and other specifications. A factory gun is not that much less than what you'd pay for a one of a kind custom.

 

[bstarkey]

Lots of good advice. I've thought of building my own, but lack the work space, tools, supplies and some of the knowledge, and especially time may lead to some frustration. I also see it as a learning experience. I do intend to hunt with the rifle this hunting season. However, I do see sometime down the road that I think I may like to eventually build a rifle.
Bob

 

[MikeC]

I do intend to hunt with the rifle this hunting season.

That may be a problem if your looking for a custom scratch build. Some of the better builders have at least a 12 to 18 month wait to just begin the build, depending how elaborate of a build your asking for it could be another 2 months before it's in your hands.

 

[J.D.]

You might try the contemporary makers blogspot to see what some of the better makers are doing.
http://contemporarymakers.blogspot.com/

While blog doesn't solicit sales, you can contact makers whose work is illustrated there.

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

A fine custom rifle will be pretty much ready to go. You may have adjust the sights and work up a load, but that holds for any rifle you buy including the mass produced ones.

You need to be sure of your needs first of all. But a nice custom rifle will hold is value and appreciate in worth over time--it's a good investment. And it wil give you a measure of pride of ownership that a ready won't. Uniqueness is a tangible asset of the custom gun.

Talking with the builder can help you refine your desires down into a solid choice. We have several fine gunmakers right here on the forum that can help you make an informed choice and then build you the gun, too. You will not be sorry that you went with the custom rifle. You may soon regret buying the ready made and if you try to sell it, you will surely lose money on the deal.

 

[jimmytheshank]

What exactly are you looking for in a rifle? And by that I mean, what style, what wood, what era? Stuff Like that. Are you looking for any particular school? Like say a Lehigh, or Lancaster rifle?

 

[bstarkey]

I do have my heart set on a custom, perhaps not entirely custom built in a literal meaning. I'm leaning toward the Southern and Tennessee style rifles, either 45, 50 or 54 cal. I don't plan on hunting anything larger than deer in the near future. Nothing too fancy, preferably a nice piece of curly maple or even cherry, and a few embellishments. I've seen some pretty pricey stuff out there, but would sure hate to invest too much too soon. Especially since this would be something I'm learning with. My preference would be something with a good fit, finish and performance first. My budget is a max of $2,500 give or take a hundred. I saw a few used and new rifles for sale on TOW and a few other sites, but was curious about the makers.
Bob

 

[thewho66]

Take a look at Caywoods site found in the links section of the forum and see if you like them or not. They would be considered semi- custom and you can gett one fore around 2000.00 the largest cal. is .45.

John

 

[RJR]

Take a look at the ones Roy has on his site.
http://www.roystroh.com/custommuzzleloaders54

I really like the TVM Rifle, but it ain't going to happen for quite awhile. Got to get back to work first, then start saving my pennies.

 

[hanshi]

If you want a nice custom Southern or Tennessee rifle, a poorboy version from TVM is around $1000 give or take. If you want upgrades including wood, swamped barrel, carving & such you have enough $ put aside to get that too. There are some builders who build only a few guns per year and they are works of art and cost like it. There are also quite a few in between. At no time in history since the early 19th century has there been such a supply of gifted longrifle makers in the US. You are on a glorious quest. Contact several who operate within your price range nad take your time making a decision. Call and talk with them over and over. If they can't or won't talk with you, either you can't afford them or you wouldn't want their work.

 

[tnlonghunter]

Tennessee and Southern rifles are generally considered relatively plain by comparison to lots of other school of longrifles (few, if any, carvings, inlays, engraving, etc.).

That being the case, you can get a REALLY nice semi-custom Southern or Tennessee rifle for your price range. Caywood's is a gorgeous example. I've only seen a few pics of Roy's but they look awesome, too. I doubt you'd go wrong with either one.

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

Given your budget, buy the best you can. Talk to Mike Brooks or Roy Stroh. Both are here on the forum. You can get a custom tailored gun that you will be happy with for the rest of your life from these guys. The Caywoods are essentially production guns of semi-custom quality at custom prices. Seems an easy choice to me. I'd go with a .50 caliber at the very least but Mike or Roy will definitely offer you sound advice on this matter.