Hello from the tail of the Selkirk Mountains.

[Walaw717]

I am new to this and in the process of building my first muzzleloader.

I grew up on the Appalachian Plateau. I have hunted, fished and rough camped since I was a kid. I have a wandering mind. Boy Scout, Professional Art-Historian, Psychotherapist, Law Enforcement Officer, Wildfire Fighter, Equestrian/horse trainer. Of Scots descent from a family that fought in every American war since 1763. Semi-retired now (which means I actually hated retirement and am back to being a full-time Psychotherapist instead of an administrator.) After I stopped training horses and left southeast New Mexico, I needed a new hobby, so I decided to build historic rifles and punch holes in "paper." Greetings. Will Law

 

[Ponderosaman]

Welcome from AZ. Quite a bio. It will be fun getting to know you.

 

[thomas]

Welcome to the forum.
Thomas

 

[Old Timer 48]

Welcome!

 

[Codger Craig Wilcox]

Will, sounds like you have tried as many professions as I have. You will find our sport/hobby/avocation fun and rewarding. Very friendly bunch here - most ML forums are. Good advice given freely for you to use or not use, mostly the former.
I encourage you to go through various "sub-chapters", they are excellent for learning. Some, like which lube to use on your patches, will get quite long, with all sorts of things being used and being sworn to as "the best". Taken with several grains of salt, they can be interesting.
Once again, WELCOME!

 

[Eterry]

Howdy from the Great State of Texas and welcome to the forum.

 

[Omahkapi'si]

Welcome from Alberta.

 

[deerstalkert]

which end of the Selkirks is the tail end?
anyway welcome from a fellow Selkirk dweller.

 

[Walaw717]

which end of the Selkirks is the tail end?
anyway welcome from a fellow Selkirk dweller.

the south end - the less tall end

 

[deerstalkert]

Ah! welcome from about 120 miles north

 

[Walaw717]

Ah! welcome from about 120 miles north

so you in Canada, Idaho or WA?

 

[nit wit]

Welcome from Maine
Nit Wit

 

[Daryl Crawford]

Welcome from the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania. Sound like you might fit in real well here.

 

[deerstalkert]

so you in Canada, Idaho or WA?

right on the border in the great state of Idaho USA

 

[Eutycus]

Howdy and Welcomefrom Texas!

 

[Walaw717]

I signed up for this because as I am getting together the materials for this build, I am doing research and wanting to make this as authentic as possible; I am sure many of you have taken the same approach. Currently, the original .50 Hawken online images are few and far between and not always good details. I want to get everything together before I start and have a clear plan. I have been thinking about stock color and stains. Any thoughts? I am not touching this kit until I have thought this through completely and have a plan to work toward. I am already seeing that I have to change the shape of the front of the stock and the rod pipe and cap on the kit I bought. So I am here for advice good and bad and will sort all that out. I am sure you all will help sort it out. Thanks ahead for your help.

 

[deerstalkert]

Advice you WILL receive! and it surely will be good and bad.
there are some master craftsman that lurk here and you will be able to filter the gold from the dross.
i am about where you are in experience with authenticity but others will give you directions.
The Hawken shop has some good pictures.

 

[Loja man]

Welcome to the forum!!

 

[Mtman725]

Howdy from SW Montana

 

[moose23]

Welcome from Beaver County PA