intoduction from a newb hopefully starting rifle build

[WyomingWhitetail]

So i just signed up and thought i would say hi. Hopefully soon i will be starting to work on my first build with the help of a friend who has built many muzzleloaders in the past. Right now im thinking an all iron 45cal flintlock with a 13/16 barrel at a moderate length. Im probably going to use a small siler lock kit and a trigger kit from track of the wolf. Main use planned is going to be general shooting and whitetail hunting. Just saying hi from wyoming.

[Glenn]

Welcome to A L R - It's a great site !!!   

[54Bucks]

 Welcome! As for "moderate" length using a 13/16" .45 cal.    Even at a full 42" it gives a finished rifle that's quite light.

[WyomingWhitetail]

well as far as barrel length i want this rifle to be the optimum set up for Wyoming whitetail hunting so i want it nicely balanced fairly light rifle that also handles well for making shots on deer. My plan was to probably start with a long barrel and then trim it an inch or two at a time until i get the feel i want.

[MarkEngraver]

Welcome,
I would suggest not locating  the ramrod pipes till you get the barrel length you want.
As 54bucks says, a.45 in 13/16 is light.
I have one in a poor boy style, 13/16 - 36" Douglas barrel and it is 6 to 6 1/2 lbs.
Light to carry but still holds well.

Mark

[smylee grouch]

Welcome to the site and have fun with the build. I'm thinking that maybe a 50 cal in a 7/8 barrel might be nice to carry too and give you a little more power and Wyoming wind bucking ability. Just something to consider. Good luck.   Smylee

[WyomingWhitetail]

yea i thought about a light 50 or even 54 but decided that a 45 would be fine for me and add just a little more challenge by having to get that much closer. Right now im thinking a 36-38 in barrel depending on how it feels.

[greybeard]

38 inches is my choice.   Bob

[WyomingWhitetail]

38 inches is my choice.   Bob

glad to hear your thoughts. trying to gather as much information as i can.

[rsells]

I have made several rifles for folks who hunt more than they shoot matches (at least when they first got started), and a 7/8 across the flats  .50 cal 38 inches in length works out well.  Light, balances well, and the .50 works great on deer.  Good luck with your build. 
                                                                            Roger Sells

[WyomingWhitetail]

Well I did some looking and a 13/16 .45 barrel compared almost the same to a 7/8 .50 barrel. According to the websites a 13/16x.42x.45 weighs in at 4.5 lbs while a 7/8x42x50 tips the scales at about 5 lbs. So a 13/16 .45 barrel at 38 or 39 in length ought to handle similarly well.

[Dennis Glazener]

Right now im thinking an all iron 45cal flintlock with a 13/16 barrel at a moderate length. Im probably going to use a small siler lock kit and a trigger kit from track of the wolf.

Let me make a suggestion, you should seriously look at using a swamped barrel instead of a straight barrel. I started off with the 13/16 and 7/8 inch barrels and was happy with them until I built my first rifle with a "B" profile 42 inch barrel. I have never built a straight barreled rifle since! The balance is so much better that I can't go back to a straight barrel. Yes the cost is a little more. TOW list Greenmountain 13/16 for $154.99 and that is without a breech plug, the breech plug adds another $8.95 and you are now up to $163.99 and you still need to have someone (or yourself) to fit the breechplug (not an easy job for someone that hasn't done them before.

You can get a Rice gunmaker barrel in 38 or 42 inch B profile for $205 already perfectly breeched and ready to use. I suspect Getz, Colerain and others may have them similarly priced. In my opinion it is well worth the $41 extra to have the swamped barrel. They are lighter weight and far better balanced than straight barrels.
Dennis
 

[Dphariss]

well as far as barrel length i want this rifle to be the optimum set up for Wyoming whitetail hunting so i want it nicely balanced fairly light rifle that also handles well for making shots on deer. My plan was to probably start with a long barrel and then trim it an inch or two at a time until i get the feel i want.

If you want a long barrel go with a swamped barrel.
Build it with a B weight 50 caliber 42" swamped barrel.

Where are you located in Wyoming?


I would use Green Mountain barrels. Tip Curtis should have them if others do not.

Dan

[WyomingWhitetail]

I have thought about the swamped barrel but this is my first build and will not be my last so I think it will be best to keep this first one as simple as I can. The swamped barrels sound awesome and I'm sure they balance great but I'm looking at this as a learning experience and I'm sure there will mistakes so I'll save the 200 or 300 dollar barrels for after I gain some experience. Also midway listed the green mountain barrels for 120 ready to ship not sure why they are so much cheaper but thats what there site says. I'm from Sheridan but I'm in Laramie going to school (reason for a tight budget) and I'll be doing most of the work on the rifle in Cheyenne. Thanks for all the opinions keep them coming

[JDK]

The $120 is a good price and builds a good light rifle.  Don't be afraid to spend the extra on a swamped because you are likely to mess up on your first build though.  Many here have messed up and it is the wood most of the time.  You will most likely have someone else inlet the barrel for you anyway and it is only slightly more to have a swamped barrel inlet.  If you mess up your first piece of wood....or two....or three....the barrel recycles.  Ask me how I know.  I have recycled several barrels from others builds as well as mine.  I feel you will be happier in the end with a swamped.  Now for calibre....if not using that 13/16" GM .45 and going with a swamped I would go .50 as it is more versatile.  The .45 is a fine compromise for deer and small game as well as target but for deer the .50 wins, hands down.  JM2C, J.D.K.

[WyomingWhitetail]

Yea I know the 50 would give me more versatility but not like I'm going to hunt elk with it. I'll build a 54 for that. Plus for some reason 45 just sounds like something I want and I like to challenge myself. My friend has a stock that is already mostly inlet for a 13/16 barrel that I think I'm going to buy which has an affect on my decision too.

[JDK]

If that's the case, get the stock, order that barrel before they are out of stock and get to it.  You will not be dissapointed.  It will make a fine rifle.  Hurry and get that barrel while they have it though.....we've already told a bunch of people who has them with no backorder.    J.D.K.

[WyomingWhitetail]

Yea I'm not sure why midway is so cheap but think I should really jump at the deal

[WyomingWhitetail]

Hmm I have a chance to buy a 7/8 x .45 barrel for a good price. Decisions decisions

[JDK]

You will find the 7/8" .45 does not balance near as well as their 13/16".  It doesn't seem like that 1/16" of an inch would make that big a deal in conversation but it does when you hold it out in front of you.  It is probably the nicest pointing stock straight barrel out there.  J.D.K.

[WyomingWhitetail]

Yea trying to decide. I could always just trim it down a couple more inches to compensate the extra weight. Might still just order the barrel.

[Dphariss]

I would rather have a 7/8 45 cal than a 13/16.
13/16  45 only has about a .168 wall.
7/8 is still only  about .200 wall (considering 450 bore with .012 grooves .450 + .024 = .474)
Its still pretty light. Barely enough wall for a good vent liner install.
I would not dovetail either more than .050-.060" deep.
Swamps have heavier breeches and still require shallow dovetails in the waist.
GM ML barrels are 1137 Gun Barrel quality, but its not Chrome Moly as Midway states. GM Cartridge barrels are 4150 or 4140 though.

Dan

[WyomingWhitetail]

Well bit the bullet and ordered a barrel and worked out a deal for the stock. Starting to get excited for this

[Swampwalker]

I envy you, W-W; I lived in Laramie in '70-72, while my dad went to grad school - great place.
As it happens, the first gun I stocked up from scratch used this same size barrel - it worked out great, and made a well balanced rifle.  Just be careful with your dovetails, and with your clamping pressure.  Have fun!

[WyomingWhitetail]

Cool my barrel just arrived. that is one long slender barrel. This gun is going to be sweet to carry.