Finished My SMR Build

[TDM]

Except for some touchups and polishing my .45 SMR is fully assembled and ready to shoot. I’m pleased overall but I started getting a little sloppy towards the end. Namely, while careful to chase the pin holes to get ride of sawdust and oil, I missed the middle barrel lug hole and blew out a piece of maple tapping the pin through. No excuse for it. Was able to patch it but I know it’s there. Anyway live and learn. I’ve been posting the build process every few days on the “What Muzzleloading Stuff did you do today” thread. Figured we already had enough separate SMR build threads.

 

[painter]

Nice work.

I'll never tell the blunders I made while building mine, but if it makes you feel better I did way worse.

 

[TraderVic]

Very nice ! Looks like a fine shooter. The late Ketland locks are attractive.

 

[Mark E. Prickett]

Beautiful gun.

 

[Andrewmtnman]

You did a beautiful job!

 

[JEBMs]

Fine looking rifle, I know you will enjoy it

 

[dave_person]

Hi,
Is that a Kibler kit? Nicely finished.

dave

 

[TDM]

With the help of @Togo who made some points on my rear tang screw I determined that I had in fact installed the wrong bolt. The kit came with 2 extra bolts which at a glance all looked the same size as the others and the all have a he same thread size. But one of the extras had a slightly smaller head and slightly shorter length. Now it’s correct and looks much better top and bottom. Thank you Togo.

 

[TDM]

Hi,
Is that a Kibler kit? Nicely finished.

dave

Yes Dave, it’s a Kibler. Thanks.

 

[Jim K]

Very nice! Mines not perfect either but I love it. I’ve put a few dings in it while squirrel hunting but that’s why I got.

 

[Toneloc]

Great job! Beautiful rifle. Congrats.

I’m about 3-4 days behind you on the same rifle and caliber. 2nd coat of permalyn sealer just went on. My color looks similar, but looks like you have quite a bit more curl. What grade stock did you go with?

Cut all my pins to length today and blued the shiny ends. Going to try my first coat of full strength permalyn tomorrow. Thanks for posting about clearing the holes before driving the pins. I blew mine out with the blow gun before the seal coat, but didn’t think about the finish that will undoubtedly build up.

 

[Old-Duckman]

Sweet!!

 

[TDM]

Great job! Beautiful rifle. Congrats.

I’m about 3-4 days behind you on the same rifle and caliber. 2nd coat of permalyn sealer just went on. My color looks similar, but looks like you have quite a bit more curl. What grade stock did you go with?

Cut all my pins to length today and blued the shiny ends. Going to try my first coat of full strength permalyn tomorrow. Thanks for posting about clearing the holes before driving the pins. I blew mine out with the blow gun before the seal coat, but didn’t think about the finish that will undoubtedly build up.

It’s the extra fancy maple. I’ll be touching up my pin ends along with other touch ups tomorrow. Thanks.

 

[Togo]

Turned out great, one additional thing I did to my SMR was adding a toe plate, I was worried about the stock getting damaged.

 

[TDM]

Turned out great, one additional thing I did to my SMR was adding a toe plate, I was worried about the stock getting damaged.

I actually bought a toe plate but decided against it. Prefer the look without.

 

[brushyspoons]

I really like how you finished the stock, there's lots of figure but it doesn't distract from the lines of the rifle. I also like what you did to the steel, you've got me second guessing my plans to brown the barrel and furniture on my mountain rifle.

 

[TDM]

I really like how you finished the stock, there's lots of figure but it doesn't distract from the lines of the rifle. I also like what you did to the steel, you've got me second guessing my plans to brown the barrel and furniture on my mountain rifle.

Thank you for that. From a historical point, browning didn’t become common until a little past the era of these SMRs. To the best of my knowledge the SMRs would have had some level of bluing, either by chemical or fire. I believe browning became popular in the 1840’s for the Hawkens and frontier rifles. But I’m not an expert on this, I’m sure others can give more accurate information. I do believe that you should finish it in whatever way you personally choose, you paid for it. Unless your trying to be historically accurate there’s no right or wrong.

 

[david w]

My first build had so many mistakes, I was embarrassed to show it to anyone. It was from a Pecatonica stock, and more work than a Kibler, but still.

 

[pacanis]

Really nice.

And the way I see it, if you shoot it it's going to get some marks. A year from now you won't even remember that little splinter.

 

[Oberst]

Had a blowout on one of my barrel ims too. Yours looks beautiful!