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DanChamberlain

45 Cal.
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Fusil or Fowling piece? I like the idea of a fowler, but have a hankering for a martial weapon as well. Any opinions?

Dan
 
Either or both will do the job. I plan to use a 1rst Model Bess this spring. Used my Jackie Brown .20 ga fowler alst spring and fall. Took 3 with it. Hope to do the same this year with Aunt Bessie.
 
The only real difference, aside from style, that I know of is the weight, I'm guessing that the folwer would probably be lighter to lug around all day. But both are smoothbore so should function about the same.

As long as they are both flintlock, you've got it right no matter which you use. :rotf:
 
You could use a gun made from various musket and fowler parts to make up a "bitsa" gun as was often done in the early days. This kind of smooth bore made a good fowler and also served as a militamans"s weapon. A plug bayonet would work with this style of gun. Or you could use a fowler with the forearm cut back for a socket bayonet. Any bore between .69 and .775 would work. I think I'd go with the bigger bore myself. These guns are as versatile and useful as any firearm ever made.
 
Any smoothbore flinter from .62 - .75 is a great choice for turkeys, IMHO. Mine is a .62 French fusil and it is a joy to carry. Depending on where/how you hunt, the weight of the gun may be a factor. What got me interested in BP was calling up a nice tom for a friend and watching him shoot it with his Bess.
 
I look at a turkey gun more as a rifle than shotgun..small, tight patterns and precise aim at the head. The fowler's I see more as shooting fast moving, flying birds, etc. Of course either can work for both, but if setting the gun up for just turkeys as I'm doing now on one..just yesterday ordered a Colerain 20ga. turkey barrel..I lean to wards a smooth rifle design. I would go with the Fusil.
 
I already have a SXS percussion Pedersoli so I have the "shotgun" part taken care of. I suppose I'm more interested in a gun that could serve for close range deer, turkey and red coats. Still torn.

Building one isn't out of the question, but I'd need to have a kit where all the metal work (except for finish) was already done and the stock semi-inletted for the lock and barrel. I don't mind having to finish cast brass or cast iron, but I can't do any dovetails, drilling/tapping or threading. Know of any kits that fit that description?

Dan
 
Dan, Hoyt is fully experienced,capable,and builds some beautiful pieces. He's well qualified to answer your questions about kits. (I am not an experienced builder. Rather,I try to support the builder's community by buying from them). But I am told by builders that it is just as easy to build from scratch as it is to build from a kit :hmm:. But if you go with a kit be sure to look at Jim Chamber's kits. Top of the line stuff :thumbsup:
 
Dan..der Forester must have me mixed up with somebody else..I only built 2 kits and 1 from parts I put together from different suppliers.
That was nice of him though. There's plenty of people on this site that are good builders and much more knowledgeable about traditional muzzle loaders than me that can and will help you.
 
Dan, I have both military and fowling pieces.
I would suggest that you find a few guns that you like the look of and then put them to shoulder and buy the one that shoulders well over looks good .
you maybe suprised at how the ones that may not please the eye shoulder.
thats why I have so many...
And if you are thinking of throughing alot of lead a big bore may do you better over small ,the argument being length of shot column (widerand shorter seems better, less friction )
If you get them in close a .54 smoothrifle would do it....just gotta get them in close.
I've been told and can atest to it "they can hear you thinking and see you change your mind!!"
 
Hey, possibly I do have you confused with another Hoyt! I monitor a couple of other firearms boards,and from them know a "Hoyt" from central Florida who commands respect for his building abilities AND hunting abilities! I just naturally thought you were one and the same based on location :winking:. You sure you ain't the same? the "Hoyt" I'm speaking of is modest to a fault also :hmm:
 

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