New builder question on 12 gauge fowler

[Cody_bays2011]

I have been reading posts on this forum for a really long time and trying to learn as much as possible i became a member recently.
I do have a good bit of experience with woodworking and some metal work.
I have read “the gunsmith of grenville county” book, I am from south arkansas and cant find anyone that builds flintlocks that could help mentor me in my first build.

My question is that for my first build I would like to build a 12 gauge fowler to be used for turkey hunting and maybe some duck hunting. Do you think its too far fetched for a new builder to piece together and build this gun from scratch?
I know a kit would be a good way to start such as a kibbler kit but i really want to build a fowler and i dont have the money to build both right now. I would really like to learn to build longrifles.

Do you recommend any certain videos that would help in the building process?
Thanks in advance!

[Nordnecker]

Welcome aboard, Cody. Of course you can build a fowler from scratch for your first gun- I did.
The video that gave me the most encouragement was Hershel House's. I don't have it, someone loaned it to me.
Get yourself a barrel and a lock. Maybe you can scrounge up a piece of stockwood on the cheap and have at it.

[P.Bigham]

Might try looking up Daniel Casey I know he’s in Arkansas. He trained under Hershel House.

[Lucky R A]

Absolutely,  a fowler is a very straight forward build.  with nice long lines to duplicate w/o tricky architecture such as on some schools of building.   As stated start with a average piece of wood readily available. (Allen Martin was recently selling some and will likely have more stashed)  If you do not want to try inletting the barrel there are a number of people who will inlet your barrel into your wood for you.  If you are looking at duck and turkey hunting you might want to consider having your barrel jug choked.  One other thing, duck hunting usually involves "non toxic" shot that is hard on muzzle loader steel barrels, just a consideration.  A good early Ketland lock or Round face Virginia lock would be appropriate.  Smart Dog has posted some extremely good information on building a correct fowler.  an English style architecture that has a nice straight comb would handle heavy loads the best, so something to consider.
      If you make mistakes do not become discouraged , a lot of building is correcting mistakes and making things work.  I doubt that there are many guns built that do not have a mistake or two that were corrected.  So, have at it and enjoy the ride, caution it becomes addictive...I have been at it since the 1960s and have not been cured yet...   Ron

 

[bob in the woods]

Take a look at the New England fowling gun kit from Jim Chambers. It is available in the larger bore sizes.  Also, get the book by Tom Grinslade  " Flintlock Fowlers" .   Worth every penny .
I use a fowler for duck and goose hunting. Bismuth shot works well and isn't hard on the barrel.

[Eric Krewson]

My second gun was a plank build fowler 12 ga, I did send the stock blank off for barrel inletting and to have the ramrod hole drilled, I did the rest. I would go this route on a first gun.

Guys who do very historically correct guns hate them but not being stuck in that mode I like to work from the full sized plans from Track. In the picture I am making a pattern on cardboard to cut out my stock profile, you can see the carbon paper under the plan. Seeing as how I am making a gun for my use in the woods, historical perfection isn't an issue.



The end result; a jug choked full turkey gun with a 38" barrel;

[WadePatton]

We have at least one member here from the Memphis area. Don't have any idea of you guys could cross paths, but he might likely know of others, or groups, in your area.

I'll pass a note.

[P.W.Berkuta]

Eric has the right approach - get yourself a full size drawing and study it. Plan out your steps of the gathering of parts, preparing the parts, then the assembling of the gun,  don't worry about applying the finish at this time there will be plenty of time for that later. Most of all don't be in a hurry take your time and work one step at a time and THINK about your approach to the next step on the list BEFORE you do it. This will keep you from some of the pitfalls that you will be facing. When you DO make a mistake - stop - and ask for help here if you can't solve the issue yourself.

You will learn a LOT from building from a plank and hone your skills. You have a vast amount of resources out there in the World Wide Web so use it to your advantage - good luck and don't forget to ask first before you create a $200 dollar rifle out of $800 plus dollars worth of parts .

[T*O*F]

I am from south arkansas

That's a mite broad.  Perhaps you could narrow it down a bit for us.

[Marcruger]

Jim Chambers has three smoothbore kits if you are not wanting to start from scratch.  He is a fine gentleman and many here have built guns from his kits.  You have more options to change things than with Jim Kibler's kits, as the Chambers kits leave more wood.  At least one offers  12 gauge.  You can ask about the others.   :-)    I hope this helps.  God Bless,   Marc

[martin9]

I was very nervous about my first build and almost gave up a couple times. My solution was what I called the Johnny Cash "one piece at a time" method. I bought a blank and a barrel, a 20 gauge octagon to round. I built a "smooth rifle" my first build. When I got the barrel inlet in just right I then ordered the lock....inlet it then the buttplate and trigger were ordered....etc...

Doing it this way kept me from being overwhelmed by the task and it turned out a nice gun.

[martin9]

I forgot to mention. I went over Mike Brooks tutorial constantly.

[Marcruger]

I reckon Mike Brooks might know a thing or two about building rifles, and might have some good information to listen to.   :-)   

[Cody_bays2011]

Thank yall for all of the responses. It helps alot , its something ive wanted to do for a really long time but its overwhelming to get started when you've never done it before.
Thanks once again!

[Bob McBride]

 Cody, watch all Bill Raby’s build series on YouTube and use Mike Brooks tutorial on this site as a bible. You’ll have all you need. Ask questions here along the way. You will get good answers to each question that pops in your head during the build. I’d even start a thread about your journey and the nice fellers here will help each step. No better teachers that the guys on this site.

Keep us posted.

[sqrldog]

There are also videos from Chambers and American Pioneer videos that can be a big help. The last video set of Mike Miller  building The Boone Rifle has lot of information in it.
American Pioneer Video has a great library of videos on about every facet of the Longrifle Culture to choose  from. Tim

[B.Habermehl]

Be certain the breech end of your barrel is solidly inletted. A 12 bore gun will have substantial recoil and can easily split a poorly inletted stock. I’ve seen and repaired more than a few. BJH

[rick/pa]

Don't be overwhelmed, we've all been there.  Remember the old proverb "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step".  Take your time, ask for advice here, and don't be discouraged.  You'll find that you can't stop with just one however so start saving for the next one.