A great start

[MuskratMike]

This should make all of us green with envy. I just met up by e-mail with a fine young man from Idaho. He is an avid hunter but knows nothing about black powder or black powder shooting. Juan decided early this year after talking to our mutual friend about my exploits with a flintlock that he would like to "give it a try". He started off by doing all the reading and research he could and bought the book Flintlocks: A Practical guide for their use and appreciation. He then bought a Jim Kibler "Woodsrunner" kit in .54 caliber. He took his time putting it together and completing the rifle. Talk about missing the first 10 or 12 mistakes we all made. He then made his own horn and priming horn. With no help or instruction other than what he gleaned from the book and online he taught himself how to load, shoot, clean and care for his rifle. This summer he took it out hunting with no expectations on success. The deer he shot at 115 yards and the antelope at 140 yards OFFHAND! Talk about young eyes and reflexes coming into play. The load he used on both was 90 grains of Swiss 2F, a .535 Hornady round ball with .018 patch greased with T.O.T.W. mink oil/grease. He and I will keep in contact and other than joining the N.M.L.R.A. and A.L.R I think this young man is off to a fine start.

[p.d.]

I won't plead guilty to envy but I am surely impressed.  Excellent beginnings all around!

[Daryl]

He certainly has started off on the right foot. Well done.

[StevenV]

That is outstanding!!!! Way to go Juan!! Congratulations

[Duane Harshaw]

  a mighty fine start for  sure.

[Bushfire]

Good on him, as a fellow young flintlock hunter it’s a rare but pleasing sight!

[grouse]

Congrats, He is going to spoil himself!

[MuskratMike]

Experienced hunter yes, black powder shooter no. He is a fine young man who is on the right path. He's looking next at making a fowler for hunting chucker's in the rimrock canyons. I do believe he is addicted to white smoke.

[Daryl]

For birds, an English design might be best, I feel.  It is fast shouldering and swinging with a bird.

[Bob Roller]

That English style is IMHO the best for everything concerning top of the line muzzle loaders.
Bob Roller

[Matt48]

For birds, an English design might be best, I feel.  It is fast shouldering and swinging with a bird.

What would be a good source for a gun like that?

[Daryl]

Keep your eye open for sales at Track and other places?