Newbie Question

[M. Spangler]

Hey Guys,

i was introduced to the joy of muzzleloading years ago by a friend. i've loved it since. i have alwasy wanted to build my own gun but i think that's beyond me. I was wondering if anyone has sugestions on classes or books to get on building rifles. I think i could do pretty good with a kit and spending some serious time working on it.

right now i make custom knives so i do have plenty of metalworking and woodworking tools and some know how.

thanks in advance guys

 

[Old40Rod]

Welcome!

Books... hands down, I would recommend Gunsmith of Grenville by Peter Alexander. It has step by step instructions, excellent illustrations, etc., for just about everything you would want to do on a first parts build, and then some.
http://www.amazon.com/Gunsmith-Grenville-County-Building-Longrifle/dp/1880655136

The only video I have is Mike Miller's Kentucky Pistol DVD. It is, quite frankly, excellent. However, it is not a rifle build video.

Several videos can be found here:
http://www.americanpioneervideo.com/bkr.html

 

[mykeal]

Call Dixon's Muzzleloading Shop and The Log Cabin Sport Shop about classes.

 

[M. Spangler]

so should i assume this if i can go through with this that it will consume me?

i won't be able to stop after just one will I?

thanks guys i'll check out this info.

any resources in new england would be much appreciated also. thanks again

 

[Old40Rod]

so should i assume this if i can go through with this that it will consume me?
i won't be able to stop after just one will I?

If you are here, its already too late. :grin:

Look around. Just about now you should be wondering why you are sitting in a handbasket and why its getting warmer.

:wink:

 

[Zonie]

so should i assume this if i can go through with this that it will consume me?

i won't be able to stop after just one will I?...

Yes it will consume all of your future spare time.

No. About the time you start putting on the finishing touches you will be planning your next gun.

As for building books, I like The Art of Building the Pennsylvania Longrifle by Chuck Dixon.

 

[TGeorge]

If you build just one muzzle-loader and shoot it, you are finished. Most of your sleeping and a good deal of your waking hours will be haunted by visions of NEW rifles - sleek, accurate, almost sensual in their elegance, ethereal in their beauty, awesome in their performance, and dripping with historicity.

Its a DISEASE, not a hobby. I have it and I don't want to be cured!!!

 

[TGeorge]

Alexander also offers or offered, a tape to accompany his book. The most awesome part is where he tunes the lock to perfection, primes it with blackpowder, closes the frizzen, submerses it in a bucket of water, pulls it out - and - it fires!!!!! :bow: :bow:

 

[flashpanner]

does there have to be a limit??? hope not. No amount of counseling will help. Stay addicted! You will learn lots!

 

[tnlonghunter]

I've got George Buchelle, Shumway, and Alexander's "Recreating the American Longrifle"

It was a huge help for me.

http://www.trackofthewolf.com/(S(2smevym2lkk0iz55ipuife20))/categories/partDetail.aspx?catId=4&subId=38&styleId=137&partNum=BOOK-RAL

 

[Birddog6]

No. About the time you start putting on the finishing touches you will be planning your next gun.

Uhhh-ohhhh............ :shake: I guess I have been starting another one wayyyyyyyyyyyy too early............ I thought you were supposed to have at least 2 in the works at all times. ha ha ha !!

:thumbsup:

 

[J.M.]

Hey, why not get something in the white and finish it to see how you like that first. If it comes out good, you might be able to sell it to your friend! :blah:

 

[Birddog6]

Hey, why not get something in the white and finish it to see how you like that first. If it comes out good, you might be able to sell it to your friend! :blah:

Well, actually I don't like the dead time just waiting on finishes to dry & etc. So I can work on a finish or staining one, then while it is drying, go carve on one.... and if I am not in a carving mood I can do the grunt work on one or another. So I usually have at least 2 going all the time & many times have 3 or 4 going, such as I do now. I have 2 to ready carve, one In-The-White ready to take to the test bench before final sanding, & another one about 3/4 of the way to In-The-White.

I Don't Dare run out of rifle work, or my wife may have me work in the yard or cut grass or something hideous like that !! :shocked2: So it is best to stay REALLY busy.... :wink: :rotf:

 

[M. Spangler]

that's it i'm all done...... this if going to get bad i can feel it.

well first i need to come up with some scratch for a kit.... might as well order a book and do some reading first...

any suggestions on kits from track of the wolf? i really like hawkens style guns. they have some cool trade rifles and mountain rifles. i was actually thinking of going with a flintlock too.....

i onyl shoot percussion right now but i would really like to get into flintlocks.

man these is too much to this... too many good toys to buy and not enough time :wink:

 

[gene mosier]

you'll never be quite happy with your first build, or your second or third etc...thats the learning curve! my first gun is hidden in the closet! never give up. the more you learn,the more you NEED to learn. thats the addiction!

 

[Birddog6]

You don't want a Hawken for your first build, as it will be too hard a build for you . (IMHO) Go with something like a Tennessee or Southern rifle or a plain Lancaster rifle in Flintlock. Make the first few Fullstocks to learn on rather than a halfstock.

Now, order "The Gunsmiths of Grenville County" and do some reading...... That will occupy you for a few weeks. :wink:

:thumbsup:

 

[DTCoffin]

I have the Art of Building the Pennsylvania Longrifle and Recreating the American Longrifle and about 10 years of Muzzleblast and Muzzleloader magazines.The books are very good, I'm considering Peters book because I have read many of his articles in the magazines and they are very good.I also have Hershals 2 videos from American Pioneer, these are very good but somewhat depressing ,because he makes it look so simple.If you were to get just one, I would say THe Gunsmith of Grenville County, It wasnt out when i built my first gun.

 

[ehoff]

You may want to consider a Lehman style rifle, has the plains rifle look, but is a much easier build as it uses a standard breech plug, barrel is pinned and uses longrifle architecture.

 

[M. Spangler]

now i see ya!

J.M. how about we both start one... that way we can each go through the same troubles..

just let me know when