what are the best rifle kits for first time builde

[bavarialand]

Hello, anyone out there have a suggestion for a rifle kit for a first time builder? i have heard that the CVA and Traditions kits are good to start with. thanks Dave

 

[Shooey]

The Lyman Great Plains is a good kit. You end up with a great shooting rifle.

-Shooey

 

[cavscout]

i'm working on a gpr. it looked pretty overwhelming to me at first. i think you should start with one of those. i'm glad i did and not try a harder on for my first one. there are lots of people here who have or are building those so you can get some help if you need it.

 

[Zonie]

I think all of us builders started with a CVA, Traditions, Lyman or Thompson Center kit, I know I did.

The factory does most of the hard part and leaves finishing the brass and wood for the builder.
You may find the factory didn't do some things as well as they could have, and this is what causes a few difficulties for the builder but in general, they are pretty easy.

While your building, you might want to add something like an inlay, or toe plate. You might also want to not have something like a toe plate. That's part of the fun! Making it closer to what you want rather than just buying a factory made gun.

It may sound like bragging, but you have some of the best builders around right here on this forum to help you if you get into difficulties.

 

[big bore 75]

the trdition kits seem to me the most inexpensive way to go fairally reliable the cheapest co I found was Deer Creek Products I just recieved thier catalog last week and llots of good stuff there . phone number is 765-525-6181 I have not orderd anything as yet due to a fundage shortage but sure can dream. bb75

 

[Craig]

I am planning to get a Pedersoli Scout kit from Dixie Gun Works for my first kit. I have never built anything, but the 2 Pedersoli guns I own I like, and according to the DGW catalogue, the one I want is the lowest skill level, 1. I will find out exactly what that means when I take the leap.

 

[gmww]

I don't have the kit version but can tell you it took me a while to come up with an accurate load for my .45 cal. Pedersoli Pens. scout. It shoots round ball very well. As far as conicals, I'm exploring a promising load using 95 grns of 2f RS. and a Lee minnie bullet (undersized). It likes the bullet to be 301-02 grns. Anything less or more is not accurate.

As far as kits, I have an Underhammer kit on the way from Blue Grouse. It just requires plump browning and stock finishing.

 

[Bountyhunter]

Most of the accuracy with rifle barrels has to do with the length of the bullet and the twist of the barrel. Barrels with 1/48 up through 1/6? do best with patched round ball.

I have a .50-70 conversion that has a 1/64 twist! I know that my GGgpa used it to kill buffalo for a living, but I have not been able to get it to group decently with the bullets I can lay hands on. I have some 350 gr bullets ordered which are very short, hoping that I can get a short enough driving area to function in the slow twist.

In order to use the longer bullets, the twist was generally 1/28, 1/22, 1/18. You need the faster twist to stabilize the longer bullet. Slower twists require a shorter bullet, or round ball.

Bill

 

[WV_Hillbilly]

Hello, anyone out there have a suggestion for a rifle kit for a first time builder? i have heard that the CVA and Traditions kits are good to start with. thanks Dave

One of the best fitting and easiest kits that I ever did was a CVA Plainshunter .50cal. The barrel was already finsihed and was blued--saving a lot of grief. Somtimes finishing a barrel with blue or brown can be overwhelming to a first time builder. Cold blueing has come a long way, but it can still give you fits and hours of headaches if things aren't done EXACTLY right.

The stock was pretty smooth to begin with and everything seemed to almost fall into place. It's not walnut or maple, but because of this, you can stain it with a shade that you desire and then oil finish. I believe they pre-fitted just about everything at the factory to make sure that the kit went together easily. The lock, trigger, and guard were pre-fitted as well. So at least in my experience, this kit was probably THE best, and THE easiest to build.

KA-740 is the part number for that kit and I believe Deer Creek still has some of them. CVA has dropped all of their sidelock percussion and flintlock guns, (also their pistols AND kits). So I wouldn't wait around too long to find one.
I paid a lot less for mine many years ago, but it's still a pretty good deal. Mine turned out to be an great shooter as well as pretty nice looking. You also don't have to have an engineering degree to figure out where things go--while some other kits almost expect you to know where things belong by rote.

The Lyman Great Plains Rifle would be a good choice but costs over twice as much (sometimes MORE!). It's an excellent kit (and shooter too), but there is a good bit more work involved. While some might consider it a beginners' kit, I would NOT say that about it. While it went together nicely, (BTW, it does have a walnut stock) there are some things that might not be as plainly evident when putting things where they should go. Also due to it's higher cost, I wouldn't classify it as a "beginners' level kit".

I feel a beginners' kit shouldn't cost as much as some finished rifles. As stated, this kit should allow you to experiment with your own creativity. I don't think you can do that, especially IF this is your first rifle and you are having trouble with what should be the "easy stuff".

Some companys' "so-called beginners' kits" just give you a box full of parts and you are left to your own devices--NOT exactly a good position to be in! Also don't worry that CVA has discontinued their kit line. It was NOT due to anything other than letting those "Inlines Rifles" influence their marketing strategies (a big mistake on their part in my opinion!) Did you ever notice how you do NOT see ANY Inline Rifle Kits? Wonder why...?

Whoever gave you the advice that the CVA and Traditions kits are the best to start with, is a wise and good source of information. I hope you also have someone to go to, IF you run into difficulties with any of the various assemblies. You are of course, very welcome to come here with ANY/ALL questions and problems. There is a lot of knowledge on here and there IS going to be "someone who can help you". Might even be someone living close to you...?

BTW, Welcome! and we're glad to have you here. I think you are going to be very happy here. There is a lot to offer and it's a valuable source of information and advice.

Regards,
WV_Hillbilly :front:

PS I'm known for my long posts, but I try to cover all the bases when I reply. Hope I don't get too long-winded for you. (I guess that happens when people are semi-retired.)

 

[big bore 75]

my6 earlier post gives the phone number of Deer Creek muzzleloaders they make and sell all of cva's traditions muleear locks and underhammers and the only co. that I know of who makes the brass frame mowry rifles , call the number and you get the catalog fairilly quikly also has those kits the avove wrote about. bb75

 

[bavarialand]

thanks to every one for all the information. i think i will buy a factory built rifle first to see how the fit and finnish should look on a completed rifle, and maybe do some upgrades or customizing as well. thanks again. Dave

 

[gmww]

Hey check out my thread on the underhammer kit I just got. I posted it with pictures. Talk about simple.

Here is the link.

Underhammer kit