first flintlock

[erk]

hello i am thinking of getting my first flintlock and thinking of getting a tennessee vally muzzleloading tennessee poor boy but after that not sure how i should order it except for i want a 54 cal thanks for any info not in any hurry to order as i just had a tripple bypass last friday

 

[Spikebuck]

Welcome on your first post and best wishes for a speedy recovery.

I looked at that rifle online to see what they offered and to me the options are all personal choices. They don't offer a swamped barrel, at least they don't show that as an option, but if I was to offer one suggestion that makes a big difference in a rifle's balance and handling, it is a swamped barrel. Might be worth asking about.

 

[Turtle Dave]

I wish you all the best and speedy recovery. You are going to love the adventure of flintlocks! I bought my first rifle from them. They are excellent people to deal with. Don't hesitate to pick their brains. They can give you alot of info to make a good decision. I go along wbith spikebuck. A swamped barrel makes a big difference. For me, i like the southern rifle. Again, best of luck.

 

[silly goose]

I'd not rule out tip curtis, if I were you.

 

[Tom Compton]

I like my .54 that’s kind of a cross between an English Sporting Rifle and a Hawken (32” barrel). But I’m crazy about my .36 and .40 long rifles w 42” straight barrels.

Length pull needs to be specified. Its easier to shoot a gun with a LOP that’s a little short than one a little long.

Length of the barrel needs to be specified. I have handled a few swamped barrels and found them to not hang well as an offhand rifle and this goes along w specifying barrel length. As does your recent medical issues (lighter may be best). You need to get what YOU like.

My suggestion is to find some ML activities within a couple of hours, go, visit, meet folks and handle different rifles. Or make a trip to Dixon’s in PA, they’ve got a lot of MLs in stock to fondle er I mean handle.

TVM has a good reputation. Kibler and Tip Curtis are also excellent options.

Enjoy the journey and I wish you a quick recovery,
TC

 

[54ball]

Get a Colonial VA or Pa type if you go 54 Caliber.
I have a .54 Gillespie NC rifle that many would consider a Po Boy. It and especially I like 70grns of 3f. Any more, say 80 of 3f or 80 to 90 grains of 2 f , the rifle is not enjoyable.
Those slim Southern rifles will thump you with hunting charges. Not so much on the shoulder or upper arm but in the cheek.
A 50 would be more suitable. That little bit does make difference.

Now before folks start talking fit....the rifle fits me well, really well. It's a joy at 70grns....any more and I start to feel it. Keep in mind most of these were 40 to 48 caliber.

 

[Don Steele]

Re-read the response from 54ball. He reveals some wisdom about rifle "Style" vs./ caliber.
If you're sure you want a 54 caliber...look at some of the Pennsylvania schools. Isaac Haines for example.
On the other hand, if you want this new rifle to be a Southern style, I'm also going to recommend that you look at smaller calibers.
Just personal opinions and worth what you paid for'em.
A fellow showed up at my club last month with a brand new, unfired TVM "Southern style" rifle, in 54 caliber. He had just got it from TVM. He's not an experienced shooter of traditional muzzleloaders. I tried to engage him in a conversation about patch/ball/powder choices but he didn't need any of that. He was pre-convinced he would be shooting 100 gns of powder, and he did...but not for long. :surrender:
Haven't seen him back. :idunno:
Good Luck, whatever you choose.

 

[Grenadier1758]

So much depends on what you will want to use your rifle for and how will that use support your recovery from the bypass surgery. Do you want to wait nearly a year for a rifle?

A road trip to a supplier such as Dixon's (Dixon's Muzzle Loading) in Kempton, Pennsylvania might be in your travel plans. There you should be able to handle several styles and weights to determine what would be most comfortable for you.

 

[BigBoreBLR]

I hunt with a 54, I also have a tvm kit I'm building.

Straight barrels, get a 36 inch. My kit was a 13/16th's 42 inch in 45 cal. Was too nose heavy, I chopped it down to 36.

Early lancaster and Virginia or a dickert style will have a bigger and not so.crescent shaped butt

 

[Spikebuck]

Early lancaster and Virginia or a dickert style will have a bigger and not so.crescent shaped butt

I didn't get into this in my initial post because it sounded like the style was already chosen. But since so many people have brought it up, I would also say from my experience that the wider, flatter buttplates on styles like the Virginia are FAR more comfortable with larger bores and heavier charges. My Virginia's have become my favorites...I have three.

That said, you don't have to shoot 100 grs in a .54. Assuming you can get a good group, you can load down to 70 grs and still have plenty of killing power. So a comfortable load in a gun with a thinner crescent buttplate is possible.

 

[Black Hand]

A swamped barrel is the way to go - long, straight barrels are far too nose-heavy. Not to mention, the swamped barrel is more appropriate for the period.

 

[BigBoreBLR]

I think tvm had rate of twist options. A faster twist will shoot a roundball better at lower speeds.

1 in 56 would be much better than a 1 in 66 inch or a 70 for a mild shooting 54.

 

[Gene L]

TVM only offers swamped barrels in two lengths...one in 42" and I don't remember the other. They're Rice barrels, and you can research that further on your own. I prefer a .50 caliber myself.

As for cardiac bypass surgery, I've had it three times. Got well all three times. If you order now, you'll probably be fully recovered before it arrives.

 

[erk]

thanks for all the replies i have been shooting a tc hawkens 50 cal cap lock since the late 80s and know about how to fine the right load and patch thickness what im looking for was info on the tvm looks like a nice one was thinking of the cabelas frontier but for a little more $

 

[RHensley]

There are many things to think about when getting the first rifle. First You have already decided on the cal. 54 is a good cal. I have owned many. I've built 12. I don't know how old you are or how strong but I now have a 42 in barrel 1 inch across the flats. It is heavy. I've used the rifle for 30 years and now will build a 45 to take it's place. Trigger pull. If the rifle is too long can you get it cut down. Can you do it your self. I would suggest that before you buy research as much as possible. From the post I've read here that these folks are pretty knowledgeable in this subject.