Only one muzzle loading rifle

[bobthemotorcycle]

I'm sure this has been done to death but here we go anyway.

If you could have only one muzzle loading rifle what would it be?

Include maker, percusion or flintlock, why that rifle and things like that. Smooth bore is ok but this is more about rifles.

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

I would make it. It would be perfect in every aspect.

 

[64Springer]

Yup.

Done to death.

20 pages in the search function from a month or two ago.

 

[rmark]

Variety is the spice of life. You've asked the impossible question.

 

[Banjoman]

Nope. Ain’t doing it.

 

[HSmithTX]

Flint, bore 62-75 cal, Early American style because that's what I like, if I stumbled on a pile of money I'd have Allen Martin make it, but I didn't so I will make it myself until I get it right, only one doesn't mean I can't have 5 this year one at a time......

 

[ETipp]

Being a hunter first and foremost, I submit that it is absolutely impossible to have only one ML.

Small game............A .32 something or other. As long as the barrel does not exceed 32" in length. Most likely a Hawken style.

Deer and elk............A .54 Hawken style with a fast twist for a heavy conical.

 

[brazosland]

See what you did OP?

Nobody needs a conical bullet to kill deer and elk. You just don’t. Ever.

Five.
Four.
Three.
Two…

 

[NorthFork]

Only one of the endless possibilities? If I may stretch the rules of your post a bit.......my .63 smoothbore Pedersoli Indian Trade Musket. Why that one? 'Cause it always goes bang. Nothing has ever broke. Easy to maintain. Can shoot shot, buck/ball, or ball. May not have long range accuracy, but I won't go hungry as long as I have some sort of black powder and some sort of a sharp rock and some sort of a projectile to shove down the bore.

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

I would make it. It would be perfect in every aspect.

I thought I sounded rather Trumpian on that one!

 

[longcruise]

Well sir, you didn't say how many barrels!

So, I shoot a lot of matches but in the end, I'm a hunter so I choose my 1974 vintage TC Hawken with four barrels. 45, 50, 54 and 56 smooth. Totally pedestrian and common but that combination would do everything for me. I have that full set now except the 56 smoothie.

Guess I'll sell everything else....NOT!

 

[ETipp]

Well sir, you didn't say how many barrels!

So, I shoot a lot of matches but in the end, I'm a hunter so I choose my 1974 vintage TC Hawken with four barrels. 45, 50, 54 and 56 smooth. Totally pedestrian and common but that combination would do everything for me. I have that full set now except the 56 smoothie.

Guess I'll sell everything else....NOT!

Now that is the way to do it!

 

[Johnny Tremain]

If you could have only one muzzle loading rifle what would it be?

The one in the safe. $45 cal, flintlock, Virginia Sheetz School. Iron clad.
Made from the best parts you could buy in 2005.
Maker: Me

Built it for the grandson, when Im gone its his.

 

[Frosty861]

The four I own.

Frosty

 

[longcruise]

Now that is the way to do it!

It's been my approach for a while. I didn't mention the renegade with 50, 54 and 58

I'm moving into the flinter stage though. Planning for it to be a 40 and 54 or 58.

 

[longcruise]

But, getting respectfully back to the OP's question

It would be my original TC with it's original barrel now rebored by Hoyt to a 54. Not a great choice for match shooting, but suitable for all my hunting.

There won't be a sell off though. I seven have deserving grandchildren, so......

 

[Banjoman]

Okay, I’ll play. It would be my Thompson Center Hawken .50 caliber.

Why? Because I just like it. I enjoy my flintlock guns too, but this brings out the Jeremiah Johnson in me.

It’s also the one that I shoot the most.

 

[Vintagebpcs]

Ok I’ll bit. I have several ML,s but the most practical if it were my only choice is my dbl flintlock custom made side by side in 49 cal rifle and 16 ga smoothbore. Best of both worlds. But otherwise the 20ga trade gun can do everything.

 

[jdw276]

Lefty flinter 40 cal. I bought the parts and a maker put em together. Never have to worry about losing it as righties do not ever want to shoot it. Safe everywhere I take it. Righties think it was a devil's creation.

 

[The Crisco Kid]

I would make it. It would be perfect in every aspect.

Me too. The one I'm working on one will always be the perfect gun.
Then, eventually, I'll be fondling it and find something I wish I have done a little deferently. In other words, I'm still hoping to build the truly perfect one.