My Southern Mountain Rifle.

[PPatch]

That is one slim jim rifle, I love the way the grain pops. Should knock a deer into next week. Congratulations, enjoy.

[Don Tripp]

I really like the looks of that rifle and the Siler is a great lock, tried and true. My first rifle was a Southern Mountain .45 with a Green Mountain 42" 13/16" barrel but I used a percussion L&R Manton lock. I hunted with it for many years and took over 20 whitetail with it. I never used anything other than 70 grains of fffg Goex for hunting. I'm restocking it because the wrist got broke in half when I was moving to my new house. I think you are going to be very happy with that rifle for deer hunting.

[Don Getz]

Call.........what kind of stain are you going to use?   Should look pretty good after you get her darkened up a bit........Don

[callaojoe]

I used one coat of aquafortis on it.  Then, applied several coats of tru-oil finish.

I did attempt to kill the nitric acid, by giving it a good bath of baking soda and water....

I purposefully went with a lighter stain, as I liked the way it made it look.  Had seen several other rifles on line that were stained like that, and it appealed to me.

This is my first time dealing with aquafortis, and figured that there was a chance it would still darken over time no matter what I did, and even if it didn't, I like the way it looked.

This is my very fist long rifle.  I guess, given all the talk about the Siler lock being incorrect, I am surprised that I see SO many "Southern Mountain" rifles with them being sold on places like T.O.W.

Heck, there is one on there web site right now.

http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/487/2/AAM-006

I guess, because it is stated that it is built by a "contemporary" builder...  That changes things...

In all honestly, I didn't know the siler lock was not correct, until you guys started to say that.  It really does not matter to me, as I said, I was building it based upon what I had seen and liked, and did no serious research on them before I started.  I bought the stock, & lock from Pecatonica, and if I remember right, that is what he recommended.  Could have been based upon the stock I ordered, as the lock mortise was already cut...  But, I know I had looked at sever rifles that were called Southern Mountain, and many of them had silers... So, I guess I am not the only one carrying one around like this...

If I do another one, and I still think a smooth bore fowler may be in my future, maybe I will try to be more accurate in it's interpretation.  In the mean time, I plan to shoot and enjoy this one just fine.  I guess I'll just call it something other than a "Southern Mountain".  Maybe it'll be the first ever Chariton River Rifle....  

[Jim Kibler]

If you're interested in things being historically correct, your best bet is to skip most everything being made today and look at original stuff.  This will tell the truth. 

[rich pierce]

And avoid using the kits many general suppliers of ML parts sell, as sources of information about the styling of original guns.  It's a mixed bag in that some of the time they are right enough on one offering to make a fella think he can trust the rest of their stuff.

In general, a "Southern Mountain Rifle" is as generic as a "Pennsylvania Rifle" or a "Virginia Rifle" kit.  Such kits or parts sets are based on what we knew in the 1970's or 1980's.  And in those days, the Siler lock was the one everybody wanted on every flintlock gun, because of it's reputation as a quality reliable lock.  The generic kits will make fine shooters that most folks not pursuing the history of the longrifle will marvel at.

I'd say you did a fine job on a first rifle.  Close-ups would help, but it looks fine from here.  You're well suited to the craft; that's obvious.  Keep it up!  If you decide to continue in the vein of late flint, iron-mounted rifles of the South, there are a number of folks here who can share which originals they consider to be most worthy of using for inspiration.

[T.C.Albert]

There was a time when the term southern mountain rifle was a generic catch all,
especially if you called it a poor boy. Things have changed for the better at least
here on the ALR, where the specific nuances that constitute a rifle that's made true to
the southern mountain schools are known to many...for a new builder to learn those nuances as well, even though it may involve rethinking a lot of stuff he thought he knew, this is the best place to be for sure.
tca

[hanshi]

Callaojoe, that is a fine rifle and I like it a lot.  I'm glad you made it like you wanted; just to satisfy YOU.  You should know, however, that by using a Siler lock you have given a few folks here the vapors.

If you knew me much at all, you would know I give a lot of people heartburn, or vapors... hahahahaha

They gave me the title of "Spreader of Joy and Goodwill" for this very reason on the Missouri Whitetails site.

I can roll with it.  Maybe next one will be near 100% accurate.  Been hankering for a fowling piece, I need to find some reason to get into the turkey woods more often, and having a nice fowler might just be the ticket.  I am more of a deer chaser, and turkey hunting is just an excuse to carry a firearm into the woods.  So, may as well carry something interesting.. 

I signed up here to learn, as I know about enough to fill a thimble right now.  So, any lesson someone can give me will be taken with gratitude.

You have a fine sense of humor, Callaojoe.  You do really need one on the forums....and around me.  And I still like that rifle very much.

[hanshi]

Getting back to the lock, my .36 SMR has a Siler lock.  When I had it built I didn't have enough knowledge to know what was correct and what was not.  I accept my error and would have certainly gotten another lock if I had known.  I know, now, thanks to the forums.  But the little rifle still shoots great.  If there is ever another longrifle in my future, I will use all the knowledge I've accumulated and the knowledge of the builder to make it as correct as possible.

[hanshi]

Your rifle looks great. I have a southern in .40 with a large Siler so were kinda "kin". I like the nose cap on yours and always thought about adding one to mine. As JTR said I wouldn't be too vaporized about constructive comments, I had mine too.

In another of my posts after some PMs and e-mails I was informed the parts I bought for my current build are mostly incorrect and I soon realized I had bit off way more than I could chew even attempting a Verner at my current skill level so I started my own school.
The school is called the Mongrel Rifle School of North Central Florida started by myself using Various other Famous rifle school parts assembled by a novice builder.

That being said I have the highest respect for the folks on this forum who have helped me on many occasions with advice and who can build museum quality rifles within a certain schools guidelines. However, I wonder what a first rifle from an apprentice of J.P. Beck or Peter White looked like. I'm sure those masters also had plenty of critique to offer.

I figure after a few builds I might be able to tackle one with historical origins and post pics of it.

Interesting name for a school.  There is a builder, "Mongrel", who builds excellent rifles somewhat like you mentioned.  He much prefers scratch builds over kits and I have one of his fine rifles.  IMHO this is a great way to get into building.

[callaojoe]

Learned a long time ago, that thick skin, and a good sense of humor go a long way on internet forums.

First off, I know there are a lot of well respected, and knowledgeable members on this forum, which is why I signed up. To learn.  There isn't a single person who knows everything from day one.  I sure don't, and don't pretend to either.

So, this photo is not intended to anyone personally....  It's just one of my favorite internet forum funnnies....   

[callaojoe]

Getting back to the lock, my .36 SMR has a Siler lock.  When I had it built I didn't have enough knowledge to know what was correct and what was not.  I accept my error and would have certainly gotten another lock if I had known.  I know, now, thanks to the forums.  But the little rifle still shoots great.  If there is ever another longrifle in my future, I will use all the knowledge I've accumulated and the knowledge of the builder to make it as correct as possible.

No doubt, when I was looking around, I was seeing a lot of rifles with Siler's, and they had a reputation as great locks.  So, that is what I ordered.  No regrets.... If I build another, knowing my personality, it will probably be preceded with months of research on what makes it right, for the rifle I want.

[Pete G.]

The Siler is a great shooting lock; you will not regret it. As far as style goes, don't forget that a lot of German influenced smiths applied their trade in the Vally of Virginia. That means that your rifle is not necessarily incorrect. Before starting the next, buy all the books you can find and study. Soon you will start to recognize certain characteristics of the different schools and you can use that to inspire your own design. I find that the planning phase is quite often just as enjoyable as the build (and sometimes takes longer). Don't fall for the trap of trying to duplicate an existing rifle. You will see a lot of rifles that, while beautiful rifles with excellent workmanship, usually have a little detail here and there that keeps it from being an faithful copy, which can be really distracting. There are builders that really enjoy this type of build and build a fabulous rifle, but at the end of the day it is still a copy of someone else's work. Stay true to yourself and learn design. Sure, you will have creations that are not masterpieces, but the vast majority of originals were not either.

Incidentally, you will probably find that your starting load will end up being your hunting load. I like to load 65 gr for hunting and place the measure half way between the 50 and 55 gr. mark for most other shooting.

[Bob Roller]

Callaojoe,

Pete G's advice is rock solid and difficult to improve on.Make what you like and
don't worry about the critics. There is not ONE person in the CLA that can turn
out a "perfect" job.

Bob Roller

[LH]

Turned out good Caloljoe   I'll be looking for a big ten pointer this fall with a .45 hole thru his hydraulic pump. 

[Oliver]

That's a darned beautiful rifle, lock aside.  I love dark rifles, perhaps even a little reddish with a little blood (red violin), but that stock and that finish is something to behold. Can't wait to hear how she shoots. Great job and photos. Thanks. 

[callaojoe]

Turned out good Caloljoe   I'll be looking for a big ten pointer this fall with a .45 hole thru his hydraulic pump. 

Ah yes.....  The elusive 10 pt'r. Maybe this rifle will be my goodluck charm.

Thanks for all the advice guys.

This is not the first time a 65 gr load has been suggested to me. LH here told me that is where i should start as well. Maybe I should listen to him.