Looking at Flintlocks

[beerman3133]

I have been looking at flintlock rifles and smoothbores. I am currently shooting a T/C Hawken in 50 cal. I am really interested in a kit, problem is I don't want to go too expensive in case I screw it up, and I am torn between sticking with the 50 cal or going to a 54. I am currently casting RB and Maxi Ball in 50.

 

[Greg Blackburn]

Right now on gunbroker, there are a couple of flintlocks, but all .50 caliber. I found an already built kit from TC in .54 caliber and got it last week (hope it's a good buy!).

TC no longer sells kits that I know of. .50 in flintlock is all I can find online as far as kits go these days. I don't know about Lyman as I don't like the look of their rifles.

Ebay, Arms List, Guns America, and gunbroker I would keep watch on...and since Pennsylvania requires a flinter, calling up all the pawn shops in the state would be one approach and before last week had planned on doing just that.

Good luck!

Greg

 

[Greg Blackburn]

http://www.cabelas.com/traditional-...l-hawken-unfinished-flintlock-rifle-kit.shtml

Greg

 

[silly goose]

I don't have any experience with the .54, but I have killed a couple deer with the .50. It does a bang up job on whitetail, I think if I bought another I'm gonna stay with the .50, even been considering a nice light .45. But keep in mind, I hunt thick stuff and 50 yards is a long way for me to shoot. If your gonna stretch yardage, the .54 will have a lot of advantage. Good luck.

 

[beerman3133]

Thank you for the inputs, this will not be a rushed decision, and I am thinking for a first build my budget will be $600 or less.

 

[BrownBear]

Don't overlook the Lyman GPR in kit form. They're available in both 50 and 54 caliber, and well within your budget limit. A lotta guys here on the site have built them with excellent results. Best of all, past threads and current advice will be really valuable.

It's a relatively "easy" project requiring only common tools and not much, if any, parts fitting. Most of the time you could assemble and shoot it right out of the box, the parts fit so well. Overall it's just a matter of shaping, smoothing and finishing to your tastes, less than 40 hours total build time for most of us.

 

[sleeperNY]

Most of the work will be metal finishing, and some wood to metal finishing. The one I put together years ago didn't need any wood removed to make things fit, just smoothed to match the metal parts. What ever you get have fun with it and don't be in a hurry.

Jim

 

[beerman3133]

Thank you very much gentlemen, I really appreciate the inputs.

 

[Greg Blackburn]

Aboslutely! Take your time and do a good job. Wood fitting is a breeze IF one goes slow and only takes off a little bit at a time.

This .54 coming to me is a kit gun, I HOPE it is decently built. Oh well, if it is not, I'll have no qualms putting a sling onto it. Later, I'll find a better example.

Greg

 

[Stubert]

I would go with a .54 It will buck the wind better, and weighs alot more. I would look at the Lyman kit also.