jim bridger hawken as first build

[fleener]

last week a list member asked if I would post pictures of my first build the JB Hawken.

I used a tapered barrel from mark dehaas in .54 cal. The lock has been replaced with a Bob Roller lock.

There are plenty of mistakes in the rifle. I wished I had someone to tell me to get two sets of screws. These are buggered up from taking in and out. The lock plate I let the browning get too aggressive and pitted it. The breech plug/barrel fit has a ring around it from the anti seize grease.

It is a heavy cuss, at almost 12 lbs, but it balances and holds like a dream.

The rifle has been well used and has quite a few battle scars of a working rifle. I have shot quite a few targets and deer with it.

This rife is a very good shooter.

I used the best stock that TOW had when I ordered it. It helps draw your eyes off of the mistakes....

I have often thought about going back over the rifle and cleaning up some of these things, but it is like me, not perfect, and I don't know if I will ever correct these errors.

Fleener

 

[Swamp Rat]

Flenner really like the finish can you tell me what you used?
Also I like the pitted look.

 

[fleener]

aqua fortis on the stock, cant remember what I put over it to seal it.

Wakon Bay browning agent.

due to the pitting on the lock plate and the dings in it makes it look a little older than it really is.

Fleener

 

[Flint311]

I'd leave it as-is! It's your gun and, obviously, by your post, you know it inside and out. It's personality is a part of you and I'd say it looks great! :thumbsup: Don't look for "production" gun attributes after you built it! :hatsoff:

 

[necchi]

I'm not one of those Hawken specialists,
But it looks darn good to me :thumbsup:
You got the cheek pared down real nice, panels look good
Where there any problem areas you ran into?
Looks like a tuff to fit butt plate!

 

[Damon]

Looks better than some factory guns, I would be proud if I were you.

 

[wattlebuster]

I like it :thumbsup: :hatsoff:

 

[agill]

Very nice! :hatsoff:

 

[fleener]

the butt plate was not too bad. For me it just takes time. I can be very impatient person. I know when I get to that point with a gun build that I need to simply put it down and walk away.

a few years ago I was building a shooting box using box joints. Never tried cutting them before. When it came time to put the box together it was not going good. I had glue running everywhere and the box joints were not working out so good. I got mad and started shooting screws into to pull it together. That really looked great in a nice walnut box. I cooled down, took the screws out, knocked it apart, washed the glue off and let it set on my work bench for a year before I got around to doing it right.

fleener

 

[Bobby James]

Really nice, good job.

When I first seen your pictures I thought it was a museum antique. Very nice.

 

[Metalshaper]

NOW, Ask him how he got his Rondezvous name of "Snapper"!!!! :blah:

 

[Bobby James]

NOW, Ask him how he got his Rondezvous name of "Snapper"!!!! :blah:

How did you get your Rendezvous name Snapper.

This ain't going to get me hurt is it?

 

[gard72977]

I am the one that ask for the pics. I was interested in building the full stock TOTW Hawken. The lock looks great with the pitting. I would be very happy with that being my first build. As long as it comes out better that any factory built rifle I would say it is worth it. Great job!

Looks like you used all top shelf parts. Can I ask why the lock was replaced with a Bob Roller lock?

 

[fleener]

two different stories. First one is that it was due to me having perhaps with this rifle ignition problems and having to snap several caps to get it to fire. The other is that I snap my rifle to my shoulder and fire it fast.

Snapper aka Fleener

 

[fleener]

I am not a good builder and it takes me a while to get one done. I am a firm believer to build with the best materials that are possible and that I can afford. If I am going to spend quite a few hours working on a rifle it aint going to start as a 2x4 of pine.

Bob Roller is an interesting fellow and I have had the pleasure of meeting him a few times. Bob is certainly not a young man and I always wanted one of his locks. I have had him make 2 English sporting locks for me, one for this hawken and a left handed one for a Vincent rifle for my son.

Bobs regular locks are not much more than a L & R or a Davis. His sporting locks are at least double the price of a factory lock.

Are his locks that much better? Not sure that I can say they are, but I do like them, and I like things that are a little different.

At the time I changed out the lock on the hawken, I was doing quite a bit of target shooting with this rifle, and was looking for anything that gave me a little step up in accuracy. Cant say it helped, but it did not hurt either.

I would buy another Roller lock.

Fleener

 

[kemart]

nice gun!!!! be proud of it even if you think it has a couple warts!!!!!

 

[gard72977]

nice gun!!!! be proud of it even if you think it has a couple warts!!!!!

I thought about making him a offer!!!

 

[Metalshaper]

two different stories. First one is that it was due to me having perhaps with this rifle ignition problems and having to snap several caps to get it to fire. The other is that I snap my rifle to my shoulder and fire it fast.

Snapper aka Fleener

The cap snapping is what "I" remember :haha: but it was also that he and that damn rifle was snapping all the strings he had set up at 15 yrds or so, just for fun...

Respect Always
Metalshaper

BTW, Fleener is really a damn good shot!! :hatsoff: