Which Smooth Bore?

[redwing]

I don't have a smooth bore. But can't make up my
mind after reading all the post. The Fusee De Chasse
Brown Bess etc. Have had bad luck with factory guns
but everyone seems to agree that the Pedersollie is
is a good way to go? Not concerned with period but
want a shooter. Also like the Southern Hunting gun.
Both TVMs have some nice SHGs THOUGHTS?

Redwing :: :redthumb:

 

[musketman]

Just to be on the safe side, get one of each... :redthumb:

 

[redwing]

GREAT idea MM send me your credit card number and
I'll right to work on it. :haha: :haha: :haha: :redthumb:

 

[musketman]

I like the American Fowler by Early Rustic Arms, in .62 caliber... :thumbsup:

 

[redwing]

WOW! MM that is nice, Who wouldn't like that one.

Redwing :thanks: :thumbsup:

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

Redwing, to my mind, the fowler is the way to go, even if it means getting a gun in the white and finishing it yourself, in order to meet your budget. It is a lot less weight to haul around in the field and will swing much faster, too. Generally, the balance will be finer--important in carrying and shooting. The Bess is a grand old gun, but in full length mode it is heavy. A 20 bore fowler is a joy to live with--I've had both, and if re-enacting isn't a factor, I'll take the fowler everytime.

The guns from Early Rustic Arms are a steal, no matter which way you buy them, and TVM offers superb quality and very reasonable prices. And these guns hold their worth better than a Pedersoli Bess will. If you want something that has a military lavor, the Fusee de Chasse is a great choice.

I've always felt--and often said--that you are better off spending a little more, and maybe waiting a little longer and getting a really nice gun that you can be proud of. The quality and pride of ownership will be there long after you've forgotten the cost. And which sounds better--this is my fowler, it was hand-made by a gunmaker in Kentucky and is one of a kind-- or this is my Brown Bess it was made on machinery in Italy by....some guy...and is just like thousands of others?

Now, about that there rifle-gun.....

 

[The Baron]

I'm still a relative new comer, but I bought a Caywood (used) Type "C" in .62 (20ga.) and I am VERY pleased with the .62 smoothie choice. It patterns well for turkeys and shoots PRB very nicely. And, it's quite light and handy for it's dimensions. I'd say you'd be pleased with any quality .62 fusil or fowler - and the guns from Early Rustic Arms look like beautiful pieces at very fair pricing. :imo:

Regarding the statement of buying quality and being proud of it, I couldn't agree more! :thumbsup:

 

[big bore 75]

the Caywood guns are awesome if your interested in a bess I'd find me a used one the pedersolis are priced higher than a good build Caywood but tow and tvm and Jim Chambers, one of the Davis co. also sell kits and in the white guns, but for the economy and workmanship you get a personal flair with Larry from rustic arms is second to nun, I've owned two of his in the whites and even before I get to play with then friends steal them from me(800.00) :: before I get to make fire oh well ::'those guns arenice and many options as well.
bb75

 

[redwing]

Big Bore, Thanks for the Info. No I would have to find
one already finished. I would never be able to put a kit
together let alone biuld a gun.
I have 2 of the rifles from TVM by Avance like them alot.
I like the very plain arms. Iron mounted and very little
of that. The Southern Hunting Gun looks good. The
fuzee de chasse and the Brown Bess seem to be very
popular. Darn it makes it hard to figure out which way
to go.

 

[Rebel]

BB75, how much is involved in finishing one of Early Rustic Arms In The White guns? I am looking for a smoothbore and was checking out the Fowler that Middlesex Village Traders have. But for about the same price, i can get an in the white Cumberland Fowler or Colonial Smoothbore from Early Rustic. Just want to know if they are pretty much complete. IE could you take it out and shoot it as it comes, and does it mostly need just the stock sanded and stained and the barrel browned or blued? Thanks for any info.

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

An in-the-white gun, by definition is in firable condition. It should need sanding and metal prep and final finish on the stock and metal. By all accounts, L.E.'s and Matt's in-the-white guns are in this category. I would guess a first timer would need 8-10 hours to finish up his new gun. And now he has a family heirloon in the making--not a gun like everyone else's. For me, I wouldn't have to think twice--but I do recall the first in-the-white gun I did. And I waited and fretted and just knew I couldn't do it. And once I finished the gun, I wondered what I was so worried about. Just do it became my motto where muzzle loaders are concerned. And I believe I am the better for it.

 

[Rebel]

I don't think i would have any problems then, i have built a couple of CVA Mt rifle and pistol kits, so this shouldn't be that hard to do. And then i wind up with something that is MINE. Thanks for the advice.

 

[big bore 75]

Early Rustic Arms in the white are real easy to work on just brown or blue em sand and finish them , the only thing I really had to was work on the barrel I bought one o the 54 cal smoothies and the machineing was a little rough , but hit it with a file and WOW, it turned out fantastic, the gun was a kentuky barn gun turned into a Virginia buy changing the lock to a a L&R round face and wider butt plate and virginia trigger guard , this gun was sold to trak of the wolf 2 years ago all I did was test fire it and man it was great but ran into a jam and had to sell something fast It did not last long on thier site maybee 2 days? but compareing them to others Larry s gun are real nice as of right now I'm hemming and hawing about another from him can't figuar out what I want :cry: ::, and they are a little easyeir than any of the production guns out there :imo: so GET ONE YOU"LL BE GLAD AND PROUD as well, just wait till you knock a brown furry 140 lbs. critter bb75

 

[Rebel]

Thanks for the info BB75. i kinda like the looks of their Cumberland Fowler and their Colonial smoothbore. Decisions, decisions. ::

 

[big bore 75]

I love Rustic's stuff but I'm thinking of trying one of
Tenneessee vally's rifles, haven't heard anything bad or good, but after buyinga kit I'll post the results, do think It's going to take a few weeks been working bunches of overtime avereging about 40 hours a week + regular 40 hours, tyring to eat up as much as possible for those winter projects , hehhehe my friends are already harrassing me about a new rifle or two . :: they are gpoing to pay this time hehehe. bb75