Thoughts on first flintlock

[ldykeman]

I have two T/C Renegade percussion rifles, but I have been thinking about buying or building a flintlock for quite a while now. I am handy with hand and power tools and have quite a few of them. At any rate, one of the major decisions to make is the caliber. I would like a rifle (sorry, no smoothbore, I am a rifle person) that will be good for both small game (mostly squirrel) and whitetail deer using PRB. I will not be hunting larger big game with this rifle. I am leaning toward .45 cal.. I have another idea that I am sure is not PC, but I really like the hooked breech of my T/Cs and the ability to remove a barrel easily for cleaning. I also want a full stock in a Pennsylvania style rifle (long and slim, not short and stocky). So what are the thoughts from you-all that have been there and done that on:
- .45 cal. for all around small game and whitetail
- hooked breech on a flintlock long rifle
Other comments welcome also.

Thanks,
Larry

 

[Tommy Bruce]

Larry, I'm not sure what your budget is but If you want the best components set out there using quality of parts and ease of assembly as a judge I would recomend a Chambers Kit. They are pricey but worth it. You could get one of the York rifle kits with a .45 cal barrel I believe. If you don't want to spend that much try Track of the wolf or Stonewall creek outfitters. You could save money by going with a straigh barrel instead of a swamped barrel. A 13/16" barrel in .45 would not be to muzzle heavy and would make a fine gun. I don't have the web address handy but if you do a search for the above vendors they will come up. Ask a lot of questions, look at some rifles if you get the chance before you make your decision. Also check around your local area. Maybe someone close to you has built a gun or two. It helps a great deal to get insight from someone who has built a rifle before not to mention a great way to make a new friend.

 

[Birddog6]

Trying to get it all in one bag just don't work. Besides that, once ya build one rifle you will want another one anyway so figure on at least two. IMHO, .40 cal for the small bore hunting & 50 or better yet a .54 for the deer hunting. Or the .54 for both, after all, a head shot on a squirrel is a head shot regardless of caliber. This B.S you hear about less meat damage with small bores on squirrels is just that, :bull: .... A head shot is a hit & anything else is a miss.

Go with a Swamped Barrel....... you will be glad you did. After building a rifle with a swamped barrel & shooting it, your Renegades will never emerge from the closet again. ( I am not kidding)

I would not go with a hooked breech, more trouble to build & no easier to clean than a longrifle pinned barrel. (You are just used to barrel removal, pinned barrel is just as easy if not easier once ya a re used to it) But we can get into that later.

For the parts set, I would go with Chambers as the best parts supplier, or Tip Curtis Frontier Shop or Dunlap Woodcrafts.

I will also suggest a Isaac Haines parts set for the first rifle as it is a good light all around easy to fit & shoulder rifle & a Wonderful deer & target rifle.

Good Luck !

:thumbsup:

 

[tg]

There are several suppliers that can provide a good parts set or completed gun, it would be best to shoulder some different styles to see what feels most comfortable, the hooked breech goes way back at least to mid 1700's I don't know if one has ever been found on a Penn longrifle, many feel the need to take the barrel off after learning to shoot /clean the production guns, but after a few sessions, cleaning the barrel while in place is really quite quick and painless, there is even a "gadget" out there to make it "easier" that many use.

 

[Johnny Tremain]

Yup Chamber's kit all the way.

Dont worry about barrel removal. I built a pinned barrel, and its easy to clean, in the stock.

And swamped barrels are soooooooooooooo nice.

 

[chrissiegrist]

If you want to feel like a kid in a candy store definatly visit Tip Curtis Frountier Shop.4445 jernigan rd cross plains, tenn. There you will be able to shoulder various pa long rifles and feel which is good for you. Tip has them in "white" now as his health and help is limited. He will sell you the parts if you feel ambisious. Call ahead as he is not in all the time.615-654-4445

 

[djnye]

i had similar thoughts as you do about five years ago and built myrtle. green mtn. 36" 7/8 barrel with hooked patent breech adopted from pistol breech that makes the barrel 37". lancaster style stock done very slim and light with barrel pinned(i remove the barrel for every cleaning with no problems). she weighs 6 lb. and is .45 cal. and is deadly on deer. i made her carefully with cast-off and attention to balance. she falls in place unconsciously when i raise her and she swings like a swamped barrel. i made her and i couldn't ask for more. she has a left hand cochran lock and iron furniture also. in the tradition of my pilgrim anscestors there is no decoration--but more grace and beauty than any rifle needs.

take care, daniel

 

[ldykeman]

Thanks for all the comments. I think the best suggestion will be for me to go somewhere and check out rifles. The problem I have here in the Mid-Hudson valley of NY is the lack of places to go. I will have to research places to stop on our way down to NC on vacation next year.
Larry