How to find a good rifle similar to Mike Lange Rugrat

[Mowgli]

I had bought a Mike Lange rugrat flintlock rifle a few years back and love it. When my daughter started getting old enough to start shooting I told her she would have to buy her own gun (figured it would be more valuable to her and she'd be more likely to take better care of it than if she where just given a gun). Looking back it might have been better to get her one and have her buy it from me and/or pay for half, because she has enough money to buy one but Mike Lange has gotten out of the business.
I was wondering if anyone knew of how/where I might be able to find a rifle similar to the rugrats Mike Lange used to build or an accurate, small, relatively light and inexpensive rifle. It doesn't matter if it's flintlock or percussion.

 

[Buckskin25]

You might look for a T/C Seneca or Cherokee. I got a Seneca .45 for my hunting partner and she has killed a hog and 2 does with hers (And no it is not for sale 😊). You sometimes can find then for sale in the Classified section or Gun Broker.

 

[davidmc62]

I believe he was restocking and building from old stock production gun parts to keep his cost down. So what are you looking for specifically?

 

[nkbj]

Mowgli,
Something to explore...

The Traditions Deerhunter with a wooden stock.
Find a used one for as low a price as can. Add a barrel.
Here's mine just for example, a smoothbore fifty. The butt is a buffalo horn knife handle scale.

 

[nkbj]

And yeah, I'm another person that regrets missing out on getting a rifle from Lange.

 

[azmntman]

:hmm:

Not to disagree but I have found traditions baerrels just fine for th most part. I would agree on the rifle but add a L&R lock myself?

Also the mnt stalker type el cheapo Cabelas rifles (and Bass pro) cost $69.00 back in the early 90's and shot a good group. They are light so small charges to start. Many came with wooden stocks and are not too ugly. CVA bob cat too. Used they will/can both run ya $100-$200 these days and are on GB often.

Why not sell her yours? Then when she gets the bug and shows responsibility in cleaning etc. give her the $$ back towards a nicer rifle?

 

[nkbj]

The .50 bore Deerhunter with the 24" factory barrel really is a handy little rascal. That flinter I built with is very reliable. Got a used one in percussion for a small bore rifle project but haven't had the time to work with it much.

 

[William O.]

I had bought a Mike Lange rugrat flintlock rifle a few years back and love it. When my daughter started getting old enough to start shooting I told her she would have to buy her own gun (figured it would be more valuable to her and she'd be more likely to take better care of it than if she where just given a gun). Looking back it might have been better to get her one and have her buy it from me and/or pay for half, because she has enough money to buy one but Mike Lange has gotten out of the business.
I was wondering if anyone knew of how/where I might be able to find a rifle similar to the rugrats Mike Lange used to build or an accurate, small, relatively light and inexpensive rifle. It doesn't matter if it's flintlock or percussion.

I've got two of Mike's creations so I know how you feel. As far as getting a small, light rifle, try finding new, old stock (NOS)rifles. I found a late 90's CVA left handed flintlock for under $350 that fits that description. The other option that you might look into is buying something like the Lyman Trade Rifle and reshaping then refinishing the stock, which is on the chunky side. Finally, you can just put a "want to buy" ad in the for sale section of various forums on muzzle loading. It's a longshot but it never hurts to ask.

 

[Black Jaque Janaviac]

Cabin creek muzzleloaders offers a boys/ladies rifle, but that's semicustom.