Muzzleloaders now

[AZbpBurner]

When I was a kid in Ohio, I'd often go with my Dad to the OGCA shows.

A renowned builder, William Buechele was almost always there, working on a current rifle, or selling one he had just completed. He did premium work, had his rifles selected for NRA presentation to US presidents and dignataries, and commanded a premium price for his work. Nevertheless, he once mentioned that he builds his guns for the love of the craft, and not for the 35¢ per hour he makes doing it.

 

[Vaino]

William Buchele's book..."Recreating the American Longrifle" was an invaluable source of info when building the first few LRs.

His LRs were "works of art".....Fred

 

[Rifleman1776]

Sure like many things in life, the black powder sport is becoming a hobby for the rich.

Not so sure that is correct. But starting out in any new avocation/hobby is usually very expensive. Try photography, remote aircraft, scuba diving, whatever. A big outlay of cash is required. I have never met a rich rifle builder. I make and sell items from my woodworking shop and have trouble getting minimum wage back from my efforts.
As for rendezvous dying. My club quit having ronny because of low attendance. That is another 'expensive' avocation. Lodge, blankets, clothes, etc can be very costly. Wanna do it, expect to pay.
Personally, I tried to offset expenses by making things I could sell. At times it worked fine.

 

[cynthialee]

Muzzle Loading may not be a pursuit of the landed gentry, but there is a certain amount of privilege to being able to own and shoot these guns.
More and more places become off limits to shooting. Rifles, powder, lead, caps, flints, possibles bags...and on and on....these things cost money. Money for such things come from our expendable cash. I certainly hope no one here is spending the rent money on the hobby.

We are privileged to be able to have the disposable income to pursue this hobby.
Even if it all is to put meat in the freezer and it actually saves you money to use your rifle (like me) you have to come up with the cash for hunting licenses, permits, gas to get to the hunting spot, all up front.
Dirt poor folks don't hunt with BP. They certainly don't drive to the range and spend an afternoon and good money burning powder for fun.

We are lucky to be able to pursue our hobby.

 

[Snakebite]

I hope no one takes offense. Sorry but I don't really feel privileged to have or do the things I do. I kind of feel like I earned them thru hard work (23 years in the US Army) and continuing to work to this day providing support for our Soldiers and our country.

I don't think it's a privilege to pursue our hobbies, as far as firearms, it's actually still a right, at least for now. It's just a shame we are attacked for what we enjoy.

Most people are in the position they are due to the choices they make. Our country is still the greatest in the world and there are opportunities there, they aren't always easy but they are there.

Don't mean to rant and I'll get off my soapbox.

 

[MSW]

warning ... ff

Snakebite, I agree. With no intent to be disrespectful to Cynthialee, I always bristle at any implication that I have nice things because I'm "privileged," or that others who do not have nice things are "less fortunate," and that my having nice things somehow deprives others.

This kind of rhetoric plays right into the whole LibDem agenda that anyone who has managed to get anywhere in the world has done so because they're 'gaming the system,' or that they have some unfair advantage, or that they're lucky to have a 'rich uncle.'

that is complete :bull:

Well, I got into college because I had good grades and decent board scores, and I got those good grades (and the attendant scores) because I earned them, ... nobody did my work for me - I wasn't a football jock who got a good grade because the coach interceded on my behalf - I didn't hang out and drink beer in the parking lot, I didn't hang out and blow dope behind the gym. There were no "top tier" expensive prep schools: I went to a public high school like everyone else. After class, I went home and studied hard, and when I graduated college and was commissioned I had about thirty five bucks to my name. There was no 'rich uncle.'

Regardless of how my life has turned out, I had an equal opportunity to take advantage of, or to squander, the chances and choices that the path presented.

I have some nice flintlocks because I built them, and I scrimped and saved to buy the parts. I have powder and shot because I don't have other stuff. Do I have nice rifles? yes. Is my car a rolling PoS? Yes, but that's my call, and I'm not willing to give up having nice rifles for a nice car.

As far as their ownership being a privilege, I disagree. It's a right.

A privilege can be taken away. A right cannot.




ok - that's the tirade for today... i'll get down off my soapbox before I fall and get hurt.

 

[RedFeather]

I think this thread is now passing the Kuiper Belt. Wasn't the OP asking about current prices? At any rate, seems I've seen some nice traditional guns for pretty reasonable prices right here in the classifieds. I might suggest keeping an eye on that.

 

[tenngun]

Things are expensive, it's a privilege to go skiing or play golf or eat a dinner at a nice restaurant.
You get what you pay for. Middlesex village or sitting fox sells cheaper then a fine hand made gun. Production guns like the GPR are avallible work and shoot well and won't get you kicked out of most events. Nobody will look down on one for having a lower quality gun.
Most of us ain't rich boys.
But I work with folks that take vacations to casinos, or Disney land. Poor boys have to make choices, mines to play with old guns and smelly wool.

 

[Claude Mathis]

I think this thread is now passing the Kuiper Belt. Wasn't the OP asking about current prices?

Yes. Let's stick to that. :thumbsup:

 

[RedFeather]

If he is still looking, someone just posted a 20 gauge flintlock in the classifieds. Don't know much about Jackie Brown guns but it sounds about right for him.