What Rifle?

[rmarsett]

I want to start hunting elk and deer with a muzzle loader. I would like that muzzle loader to be a flintlock. I have been trying to decide which way to go and like the idea of the Christians Spring Edward Marshall by Jim Chambers in 58 cal. I have never built a rifle before and this seems a bit intimidating as a first project which steers me towards the Lyman Great Planes kit in 54 cal.

Any thoughts on which way I should go?

 

[hollandbriscoe]

Go with the chambers. Just understand that this is not a snap together kit but just a parts set. I recently completed my first build and it was a Chambers smooth rifle. Just take your time and it will turn out fine.

Jack

 

[laufer]

GP in .54 is the best medicine for elk. Works every time.

 

A .54 or a .58 caliber rifle in whatever style you like will make a elk taste good if ya line the sights up right. :thumbsup: I like anything that blows white smoke and smells funny when ya clean it. :grin:

 

[roundball]

"....54 is the best medicine for elk..."

Unless of course, a .58cal is available !
:grin:

 

[Rebel]

And then there is the .62 cal.

 

[Plains99]

Doc White just finished a .58 caliber Leman for me to take to Colorado or Utah this fall for elk. His recommended elk load is 200 grains of FFFg and patched round ball. I shot some cloverleafs at 50 yards using 100 grains then loaded 200 grains for a few rounds. It shot very well at 50 and 100. I've always preferred .54 but this gun is changing my mind. In a heavy rifle like this, it seems to have worlds of potential.

 

[roundball]

"...His recommended elk load is 200 grains of FFFg and patched round ball..."

Interesting...makes TC's max powder charge of 120grns 2F seem anemic.

And considering the 15% reduction rule-of-thumb (3F in place of 2F) means 200grns of "3F" would be about like 240-250grn of 2F.

That's a big powder charge...

 

[BS]

I want to start hunting elk and deer with a muzzle loader. I would like that muzzle loader to be a flintlock. I have been trying to decide which way to go and like the idea of the Christians Spring Edward Marshall by Jim Chambers in 58 cal. I have never built a rifle before and this seems a bit intimidating as a first project which steers me towards the Lyman Great Planes kit in 54 cal.

Any thoughts on which way I should go?

You will never be sorry for buying a 58, unless you decide on a 62, like Rebel stated.

 

[Hoyt]

I just made that decision this yr. Although I already have a .54cal. Bucks Co. flintlock..I wanted a .58cal. in case I ever go back to the Rockies elk hunting. I decided to make it fairly light as I remembered how the Bitterroot's almost killed me last time.
I went with Berk's, Reading Co., Henry Mauger school. Should be putting finish on it next wk.

Liteweight .58

 

[Plains99]

I don't really know if that charge is reasonable or particularly necessary. Recoil from such a heavy gun at 200 grains seemed to be nothing unusual and quite tolerable. I am more concerned about the stock failing with such a load and personally I'll end up using FFg. But it is a heavy rifle. From what I can see so far I will get along quite nicely with 100 grains of FFg for any Kansas hunting and will reserve the heavy charge for a few unique situations. 200 grain charges were not unusual in the original Plains Rifles for bear and buffalo hunting but that powder was far different than today's stuff and I'm sure it was coarser than today's FFFg.

 

[rmarsett]

Thanks to all. This is going to be fun. The Chambers transition in 58 or 62. Now to figure out how to build it.