First ever high-end kit rifle.

[Shiloh1944]

That's a really nice rifle Shiloh 1944. However, there is a better way to get that rifle shooting it's best. At 25 yards your rifle, off a bench should shoot 3 shots into one ragged hole. At 50 yards it should still shoot that one ragged hole. I would stop worrying about the sights and focus on patch thickness, lubes and powder charge until you get those groups really down tight. If your eyes are old like mine then maybe shoot for one inch groups. Once you find you best loads then you can dial in the sights. Learn to make a front sight. Then make one higher and leave the height of the rear alone. For elevation file down the front sight and juggle your powder charge. Tap the rear sight in it's dovetail to adjust windage.

Darkhorse, I appreciate your input and next time to the range will work on shooting at 25 yards and 50 yards and adjusting the composition of my charge components. I would really like to be able to shoot one raged hole at 25 and 50 yards. Thanks much.

 

[Shiloh1944]

An individual on another muzzleloader forum asked me what the light colored crescent under the snail was so I thought I would share what I told him with you all as well.


It is one of my mistakes. I cut the slot in the lock plate for the snail too deep and there was a gap. I did not like the gap and did not want to purchase a new lock. I decided to make a crescent moon from brass sheet stock and fit it around the snail leaving no gap and then I sliver soldered it to the lock plate. It does not interfere with the hammer in any way. I realize it isn't original and one day may decide to purchase either another lock or if possible just the lock plate and redo it. It doesn't affect the rifles shooting accuracy in any way and in a way adds a personal touch. I will see about taking a close up photo so it can be viewed closer.

 

[Capnball]

Here is my first ever high-end rifle kit build. It is a TOTW Kit Carson Hawken kit that I bought from an individual on this site. It was a kit he ordered and decided not to build so I purchased it from him. After receiving it and looking it over I thought maybe I had jumped off the deep end. When I got into proceeding with the build there were times I was certain I had gotten in over my head, but I stuck with it. I made a few mistakes along the way but thankfully was able to correct them. My difficulty with working on a kit like this is compounded because I have a serious equilibrium problem and when it comes to tedious tasks my head begins to feel like the steel ball in a pin ball machine bouncing in all directions. I must quit for awhile until everything calms down before proceeding. Not trying to make excuses that’s just the way it is.

Many years ago, like over 30, I built two TC Hawken rifle kits, one percussion and one flintlock. The first one was a very early TC kit and was more difficult than their later kits were, but they neither one came close to this kit. I also recently did one of those old simple CVA Kentucky rifle kits that was given to me by a friend. After I started this kit, I read on TOTW’s website that the half stock Hawken rifle should never be your first kit to do, but instead should be about your third kit to attempt and I don’t think they meant TC and CVA kits. Too late, I had already started and now that I have done it, I am ready to see if I can find a flintlock kit to do. Hopefully a Hawken full stock flintlock. We shall see.
View attachment 7684

Hows it shoot?

 

[Oldbear63]

Actually, the brass crescent give the rifle a more "authentic" appearance. Probably many guns were modified or adapted like this. I like it!

 

[Zonie]

Adding that brass crescent is a good example of celebrating a mistake.
Celebrating a mistake means that rather than trying to cover it up and make it look like it should, a builder "fixes" it so that it looks like it was intentional. One example of this is sometimes found on old original guns where the ramrod drilled hole breaks out of the bottom of the forestock. Rather than trying to add a piece of wood that matches the stock, the builder installs a brass "pommel plate" which is made to protect the wood while the gun is rested on a saddle's pommel while the owner is riding his horse.

 

[XVIIc Wheelock]

You can also age the brass crescent if you don't like the contrast. Looks good to me anyway.

 

[sawyer04]

Time, patience, determination, is required and the love of crafting the wood to metal. Good job 44.

 

[Goose]

Its definitely a beautiful rifle. I think the brass crescent makes it unique and adds a bit of contrast. Well done sir!

 

[hanshi]

You did a fine job on that rifle and have no need to make excuses. I think that rifle is going to be a fine shooter as well as looking good. If you tire of the brass color all you have to do is put some cold blue on it and it will turn it black through chemical action. The finish will be tough and not wear off.

 

[Tinhorn]

Tinhorns rear sight fix-I got a piece of brass off a .308 case, and whittled it into a buckhorn and silver-soldered it onto the back of the too-dang-low rear sight, then filed it in from a leaning rest, leaning against the Chevy with the back of my hand resting on the bedrail. It lets me have a natural recoil movement, and more closely replicates offhand shots at the Rondy. I just painted this metal flat black, and used magic marker to darken it after filing for the next group. I get 2" at 40 paces with no glasses, offhand, on a real good day. With all the different targets at the Rondy Trailwalk, I'm OK with a 40 pace sight-in. Tinhorn

 

[rusty]

very nice rifle.

 

[Nutnfancy]

Real good looking gun! Nice work! I really like the non-glossy, warm, natural finish on the stock, that's how I did my T/C Renegade many years ago, no stain, just oil based finish that brings out the grain and gives it the warm, natural looking finish. Makes it look like it belongs on the frontier in the years gone by an something you can be proud of........Enjoy!

 

[Capnball]

Really nice job. I'd like to build a custom job. Period correct target/sniper kind of thing. I restored an 1861 Bridesberg or rather, saved it! I had nothing to lose fixing the gun up. It looks good and shoots pretty good but it'll be better after Bobby Hoyt brings the rifling back to life. Did you take any build photos? I'm always interested in the nuts and bolts if it all.

 

[grey8833]

As Zonie said, Celebrate the ones you can not hide. Drilled a hole for a butt plate screw off center, very badly. Cursed a lot, thought about a new butt plate, then made the hole an oval, nicely centered on the width of the butt plate, countersunk it on both sides and poured some pewter I had from a nose cap job into the oval, filed it down and polished it, HA! a fancy decoration on my brass butt plate. May engrave my initials there. Mistake? what mistake?

 

[Nutnfancy]

As I have learned in wood turning; its not a mistake, its a design change.

 

[grey8833]

As I have learned in wood turning; its not a mistake, its a design change.

HA! Will Romberg that one!

 

[grey8833]

Remember. Poor typing