I need help narrowing down my flintlock rifle choices

[Eagle1]

I'm looking to by my first flintlock rifle, but my head is spinning with all of the different options out there. From reading the forms it seems a rifle with a quality lock is going to save me from a lot of headache. I'm willing to spend more than than the 500. cheap rifles, but don't really want to spend 2,000. either. I see a lot of people suggesting the Kibler kits, but I'm not sure I want to go with a kit at this time. I'm thinking a used Kibler, Tennessee valley or similar? What guns should I avoid?
Thanks,

 

[Grenadier1758]

There are some Pedersoli rifles that may meet your needs. All muzzleloading rifles have become hard to find, but searches have uncovered some at some of the lesser used vendors. All new flint locks will require some tuning to achieve optimal performance. Traditions maybe require the most tuning and some of them will still have weak main springs. You should be able to find several good quality flint lock rifles for $1,200 to $1,600 in the used market. It takes some searching. Look at the pedigree of the parts. Good parts will provide good results.

 

[Johnny Tremain]

Go with the kit, dont cares whos. Production guns are a pig in a poke buy. some get good ones, some get no so good ones. I had a piece of dung one. I repaired it more that shot it. Mine was a Pedersoli, never again.
Built one in 2005, nd Ill have it the rest of my days, and my grandsons days too.

 

[jackpine54]

I think you're on the right track with a used Kibler, if you can find one. My advice would be to figure out what it is you really want first. If it's the Kibler then look for a used one, get a kit ordered or order one in the white. However you do it, get what you want the first time or you'll be wishing you did later on. Buy once, cry once but have what you want. Just my take on it.

 

[EC121]

First decide what caliber you want. Then the barrel length and type(swamped or straight). Mostly targets or hunting? Then consider that the parts for any handmade gun are about $1000. That will likely be the base price. Then add some labor. Your budget might buy a new-made plain stocked rifle or maybe a used rifle with a little decoration. Most later rifles are smaller calibers. The early guns are usually a larger caliber.
If you nice nice, you don't buy twice!! After deciding the caliber a Kibler will give you three choices of style.

 

[tgfrench]

Put out a want add for a rifle. There are more than a handful of active muzzleloaders in Utah that might have just want you want for a reasonable price. A plus would be not having to depend on what you see online being able to meet with the seller and put your hands on it before trading off your hard earned cash.

 

[Eagle1]

Thanks for the replies. I will watch the used market and also look into the kits a little more. I'm a little scared to dive into the kits, I'm worried they will exceed my ability. It appears the Kibler woodsrunner might be a little easier for a beginner, but there is quite a wait on that one. Does anyone know the twist rate of the Kibler's? Can you shoot both conical and round balls out of it?

 

[EC121]

No conicals. Grooves are too deep. Also the twist is wrong.
Actually you can shoot anything that will go down the barrel, but hitting a target is optional!

 

[olskool]

go ahead now and get one of each of everything, cause you will sooner or later,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[NorthFork]

I would suggest an Investarms flintlock as your first. Relatively inexpensive and reliable.

 

[Eagle1]

go ahead now and get one of each of everything, cause you will sooner or later,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Your probably correct. I bought my first BP gun(1863 Springfield) 2 months ago and love it. Now i want more.

 

[TDM]

I'm looking to by my first flintlock rifle, but my head is spinning with all of the different options out there. From reading the forms it seems a rifle with a quality lock is going to save me from a lot of headache. I'm willing to spend more than than the 500. cheap rifles, but don't really want to spend 2,000. either. I see a lot of people suggesting the Kibler kits, but I'm not sure I want to go with a kit at this time. I'm thinking a used Kibler, Tennessee valley or similar? What guns should I avoid?
Thanks,

@Grenadier1758 explains it well. There are a number of completed rifles that would fit your budget. Pedersoli makes nice guns. And slightly cheaper are the Investarms rifles, which are fine too as @NorthFork mentioned. They’ll all need some lock and trigger tuning to reach potential. Certainly can’t go wrong with a Kibler.

 

[1BadDart]

If I were buying a used rifle, I'd want to look at it in person and would recommend taking a bore scope to check out the bore. There are however a few members here that I'd buy from based on their reputation. Unfortunately shooting sports have a large number of shysters who'll sell you junk and smile the whole time.

From what I've seen the Kibler kits are a paint by numbers deal, everything is inletted, drilled and fitted. Choose your wood and metal finish and go to work.

As mentioned, the parts to build a quality rifle will cost close to $1000. Having built my first rifle earlier this year I'd guess I have in excess of 100 hours in it. The next one will go faster..............I hope.

 

[rich pierce]

All good advice. I’d never buy a used gun unless it is front of me, where I can shoulder it, dry fire it and check out the bore.

 

[Critter Getter]

My first flinter is a Pedersoli Blue Ridge ( same as the Frontier) It has been a great first flintlock. Doesn’t cost an arm and a leg and has been reliable. Used Frontiers can sometimes be found for an even better value. Greg

 

[springfield art]

Go with the kit, dont cares whos. Production guns are a pig in a poke buy. some get good ones, some get no so good ones. I had a piece of dung one. I repaired it more that shot it. Mine was a Pedersoli, never again.
Built one in 2005, nd Ill have it the rest of my days, and my grandsons days too.

Kibler kit is the way to go for newbies. Others require way too much knowledge or skill.

 

[MedicMike3762]

All good advice above! You have a very realistic budget that will get you a very nice flint. Like other have said you can’t go wrong with a kibler! Easy to build and the locks are some of the best around they look great, they are expertly designed the geometry is perfect! They are hard to beat. You can also hunt the classifieds good deals can be had for sure but you have to be fast as the don’t last long. My advice is just make sure they have bore photos or are willing to get them to you when you ask. As others have said set some ground rules for what you intend to use it for and pick your caliber based on that. I personally think that’s not that important……because you will buy more BP rifles soon after this one!!!

 

[Eagle1]

Thanks for all the input. I was hesitant to go the kit route, but the Kiblers don't look to hard after watching some build videos on YouTube. I'm leaning toward getting the Colonial Kibler kit. The Kibler's must be pretty good! They seem to have a cult following in the muzzleloading forms. I was contemplating getting a used gun, but I'm not sure I want the risk associated with that. I guess I probably need to get my caliber decided on before I get to far. Back to the research!