new rifle build

[keydet15]

Im think that I want to do a tennessee/southern style rifle for my next build and I would like yalls opinion on how to proceed.  I know that the locks on these gun tend to be english with and I would like recommendations as too what kind I should get.  The second thing is that I want it to be 36 cal and I would like to know your thoughts on either a 36inch or 42 inch octagonal barrel thats 13/16 inches.


Thanks

[Hungry Horse]

42" unless its a halfstock. JMO.   

               Hungry Horse

[PPatch]

You won't regret a 42" "A" weight swamped. surprisingly light, I plan a .36 caliber mountain rifle for my next build and it will have the "A" weight.

Have fun.

dp

[Ky-Flinter]

You won't regret a 42" "A" weight swamped. surprisingly light

Ditto on the swamped barrel.  What kind of lock? Flint!  Chambers Late Ketland.

-Ron

[Larry Luck]

The Davis late/classic(?) Ketland is also a good lock and period correct for a 1820+/- rifle.

I have one of the Chambers and one of the Davis for future projects and both are good locks right out of the box.

Larry Luck

[Kermit]

Another for the Late Ketland and an "A" weight swamped barrel, 42" as a minimum. Could go 44-46-48" as well. You'd be surprised how one of those long, skinny barrels feels.

[Stuartg]

Maybe I'm wrong, but it sounds like you're contemplating a TVM kit, according to the barrel options. I have a good friend who just built a Southern Mountain Rifle in a .40 using the 36 in barrel. He's a smaller statured man (LOP about 12.5 in I think) and loves it. I've handled it and it's surprisingly balanced. However, if you decide to go with a straight barrel be aware that a 42 in straight barrel is pretty muzzle heavy.

If it was me, I'd go with a longer swamped barrel as many others have already suggested.

[Daryl]

My .32 Tenn. rifle has a straight octagonal 38" X 13/16" bl.  
It is TOO light for offhand target shooting as in Trail Walks with fine shooting from close on out to 100yards, but would be a nice hunting weight rifle for small game shooting. On shooting game,  since the ranges are generally closer with opportunities for resting the rifle against a tree for longer shots.
Due to the rifle being 'too light' I carry a 5/16" steel ramrod in the pipes - that improves it's handling considerably, but I would prefer more weight still.
I would not build an "A" weight in .36 cal. unless it had enough length to get some weight "out there".

[Hawken62_flint]

I'm with Daryl---a nice light swamped barrel is possibly too light for off-hand target shooting, but if you are just squirrel or small game hunting with it, the light weight barrel may be the way to go.  I have all the parts to build a Southern rifle and am using a L & R English lock and a straight 13/16" GM barrel.  Just laying the barrel in the stock and shouldering it, it feels right to me.  Talked to several off-hand shooters lately that have gone to a 7/8" .36 or .40 caliber for the weight.  I'm not an expert by any means and currently only own a .32 with a 13/16" straight octagon barrel, but it holds and shoots great off-hand.

[Daryl]

I currently have a .45 longrifle with a 7/8", 42" bl. & it holds very well indeed, shooting offhand.

At one time, I also had a 42", .40 cal. Goodoien barrel for that stock and it felt even better than the .45, however it was just a bit too much for a bad back to hold up for 50 targets.  It is now 38" and still shoots quite well on a short English styled 1/2 stock.

It was very solid and steady to hold though and if fired quickly, worked well on steel targets but was exceptional off bags on paper at 50yards - many 1/2", 5 shot groups - the first 3 would usually cut an\ slightly oblong hole, or merely a cloverleaf.  IT would have been an exceptional hunting weight, plank or chunk rifle, I'm sure, having enough weight and front heaviness for good work from a rest.

[keydet15]

Thanks guys for your input

Stuartg yes I am contemplating a tvm kit.  While the swamped barrel sounds great I think that due to finances im am going to have to stay with the standard straight barrel. I would like the 42 inch I guess that the question that I should ask instead is how does a 42 in straight barrel feels off hand.  

[moleeyes36]

Thanks guys for your input

Stuartg yes I am contemplating a tvm kit.  While the swamped barrel sounds great I think that due to finances im am going to have to stay with the standard straight barrel. I would like the 42 inch I guess that the question that I should ask instead is how does a 42 in straight barrel feels off hand.  

I have a TVM "Southern Mountain Rifle" with a Douglas 42", 13/16" across the flats barrel in .36 caliber.  I've probably got around 4 thousand shots through it, all off hand.  It was my main target rifle for years until the arthritis in my back got too bad to shot a whole match with it, because it is a little nose heavy.  Now days, being a little long in the tooth, I find a .40 caliber 35" barrel tapered from 7/8" to 3/4" to suit by old back a little better.  But it doesn't give me the steadiness that the heavier barrel did.  If you can handle a little weight up front and the rifle is intended for off hand target work, I'd go for a 42" straight barrel in .36 or .40 caliber.

Mole Eyes

[Stuartg]

I think Mole Eyes might have helped answering the handling and balance question. Honestly, this is pretty subjective though. It would be great if you could shoulder them and decide. I'd hate for you to order one, build it and dislike it.

If you are going straight, why do you want to go with a 42 in? Some might say the length is more historically correct, but I would argue that it doesn't matter because most, if not all, were not straight.

If it's "correctness" you're after, check into Rice's Southern Classic barrel - pretty sweet barrel. I've had a chance to handle it and it's verrrry nice. If you don't care about the "correctness," it doesn't matter if it's a 42in or 36in, get what you like.

[WadePatton]

My first was 42" on "accident".  I thought i was buying a 44-incher but was WAY late in the game before I found the true length. 

That was a lesson well learned.  Double check all components as soon as you get them, no matter what the invoice/slip/vendor says, there will be enough mistakes but this one is easy to avoid.

Now that I'm shooting it, I'm quite pleased with 42", but am also really happy that my next few will be 44" and 46" bbls. 

May try a 48" or longer eventually-if I can find the wood for it!