Sorry, more Chambers questions

[Allan Gray]

Given the choice between Chambers York rifle in .40 cal, or the Virginia in .62, which would you prefer for big game hunting and general shooting?

Would either of these guns be appropriate stocked in walnut?

Also, anyone have photos of either of these kits completed? Mr. Chamber's web site photos don't really paint the complete picture for me.

Your thoughts will be appreciated

 

[Roy]

For big game personally I would go with the bigger caliber.

 

[richardn]

You are probably going to shoot that gun at the range more than hunt with it so you should consider cost to operate and wear and tear on your body. Instead of either caliber mentioned I would recommend .45 to .54. The York in .45 or .50; or the Virginia in .54 if you can get that barrel. The Virginia in .54 caliber has some weight to it but handles well and absorbs the recoil.

Also, the Early Lancaster, York and Haines models will be offered in a "light" version which has a barrel that is one step down in barrel thickness ("weight"). The 2008 catelog will include these options. This might make the Lancaster and Haines appealing in 50 caliber.

As another option you might consider is Mike Brooks' early Virginia kit that has a nice stepped wrist architecture and available in .54. I have heard good things about the kit's quality.

Richard

 

[Black Hand]

.62 caliber in maple would be my choice for big game hunting. A .40 caliber is a great target caliber, but a little on the small size for larger game.

I just built the Chambers' Mark Silver gun in .62 and I am very impressed. Even with my load of ~80 grains of FFFg, it is comfortable to shoot and is quite accurate.

 

[gsptarget]

I am just starting a Chambers "York" rifle in a .45.
I will be hunting deer with it.

 

[bart_anastasi]

From a 40 to a 62 is a pretty good spread.

A 40 is just not going to have the knock down power to do in a medium size animal (white tail) IMHO.

You might check first where you are going to hunt.

You need to know the legal minimum caliber for hunting medium and large animals in the state or states that you hunt.

Here in New York you need a minimum .45 cal. Now that would be OK as far as it goes but now you need to figure what you want to shoot.

A 45 cal is fine for White Tail Dear and Maybe Small Black Bear in my state. but that is the minimum and I like a bit extra hitting power myself.

Shooting on the West side of the Missisipi River 50 cal is probably the minimum you want to carry. 54 or 58 would be better.

Myself I would go with the 54 never feel under gunned.

 

[wvbuckbuster]

The .40 is nice to target,match shoot with. Ok for small game but lite for deer. Shot my first ml deer with my .40 but went to a .50 and now have a.54. My .54 is built after an english sporting rifle like the one offered by Mr. Chambers. It has his lock and am well pleased with it. :hatsoff:

 

[Dane]

I have built a Early Virginia in a .60 cal. It shoots like a dream.

I have also built several .40 in Early Lancaster as well as the Haines kits.

These are GREAT paper target guns, and probably substantial for most of Americas small deer. A .40 ball move nearly 2000ft/sec packs a pretty good punch.

BUT, to hunt, I'd still go with a larger caliber.

.40 to .62 is a BIG jump, there are at least 5 standard calibers between the two. Maybe a happy medium would be in order.
Either one could appropriately be stocked in walnut, or cherry, or of course Maple.

The BEST way to go, is to do BOTH. .40 for paper, and a larger caliber for game.

If you'd like, I can post some photos of both tomorrow.

Hope this helps.

 

[Allan Gray]

Thanks for all the input, guys.
You are all telling me what I suspected, .40 cal might be too small for deer or bigger. :bow:
I already have a .62 cal so the thought of a smaller Calibre attracted me.
I'm thinking that a .45-.50 would be a better plan.

 

[FPDoc]

Consider a .54, that's a big enough jump to be usefully larger than a .40-.45-.50 and would make a nice bridge functionally and cost-to-shoot between your .40 and .62

 

[Roy]

Heres my secret... shhhhhh.... don't tell anyone.. I tend to see what weight(A,B,C,D) barrel they offer and then go with the largest bore that they offer in that weight... All I try to do is reduce some overall weight in the gun. Unless its for stricktly targets, or you have a short distance to walk to a stand while hunting... but thats just me. :thumbsup:

 

[tg]

Here is the back half of a Chambers .62 smoothrifle maple stock, I did not build it just removed some wood at the forestock/barrel area

 

[tg]

here is the complete gun probably doesn't help much but may shed a bit more light on these guns.

 

[Allan Gray]

Wow! nice looking piece. :thumbsup: Very graceful lines, & looks well balanced

Thanks for the photo! :bow: