Help getting started with my first flintlock build

[Mountain-Man]

What is the recoil like with both .54 and .58, anything like a 12 gauge with 2 3/4 target loads?

[Dennis Glazener]

Would the 1" be too awkward or front heavy for hunting?

I am going to give you some advice that I wish I had been given back when I first started building rifles. Build the gun with a swamped barrel, you will love the way it handles compared to a straight sided barrel. A "C" profile 54 cal in 42 inch is a great handling hunting rifle, even better in a 38". If price difference is a big concern look at the Colerain barrels they are fine shooters just not as well finished as some of the others but nothing a little hand work can't take care of pretty quickly.

The first 4 or 5 rifles I built had straight sided barrels, after my first swamped barrel I have not built another straight sided barreled rifle and have no intentions of ever doing another. Of course others may differ and that's their choice.

And while I am on my soap box be sure to buy a good lock, nothing in the world more frustrating that having a flintlock that misfires every third time!
Dennis

[moleeyes36]

Since you mentioned that you've been thinking of kits by TVM and are considering a VA rifle, you might want to take a look at the Jim Chambers Virginia Rifle http://www.flintlocks.com/rifles04.htm.  That's a lot closer to historically correct than a TVM and as you can see from the comments posted on another thread, most people have a high opinion of Jim Chambers kits.  I don't know if the rifle has brass or iron furniture, call Barbie (at Chambers) and ask her.  But at approximately 8 1/2 pounds in .58 caliber and with that stock architecture I can't imagine the recoil is at all unpleasant.

Mole Eyes

[WadePatton]

Would the 1" be too awkward or front heavy for hunting?

I strongly recommend something swamped like Jason makes at Rice BBLs especially his Southern Classic, THAT is an A-wt and can be had up to 50 cal.  Or a 45 B-wt.  40+ inches long for sure. 

Full disclosure though, I did make my first in 54 C-wt, 42".  VERY happy with it but a C is mighty fat for a TN.  I love the look and feel of it enough that I'll likely _never_ build with a straight bbl unless the "school" calls for it.  In my mind TN never does.

My next rifles all have 44 and 46" swamped bbls waiting for them.

(and English locks)

Jump in, get all wet, see if you float! 

[Mountain-Man]

What rifle styles would y'all recommend for the .54? I really like the southern rifles and a plan iron mount Virginia rifle

[PPatch]

What is the recoil like with both .54 and .58, anything like a 12 gauge with 2 3/4 target loads?

Felt recoil is both about the architecture of the rifle AND the amount of powder behind the ball. I've not shot a 54 or 58, I do shoot a 50 caliber Lancaster style rifle fairly regularly. With my 50 going over 80 grains of powder begins to produce a kick, up around a 100 and we're in 12 gauge shotgun range, she'll shove you back.

"What rifle styles would y'all recommend for the .54? I really like the southern rifles and a plan iron mount Virginia rifle"

I like both styles also, I have the makings for two VA rifles currently but they are on hold until I get two half stocks done. The VA style is close to a Lancaster PA style and the recoil shouldn't be too noticeable unless you're using a lot of powder. Mountain guns generally have more drop at the heal, a narrower butt plate that has more of a curve.  Remember too that a SMR is held not on the shoulder muscle but the butt plate is positioned at the juncture of the arm and chest where there is little padding. I believe in larger calibers such as the 58 and due to the increased powder charge you'd feel it. I have no experience with one in that caliber however.

Barrel; Dennis is telling you straight on the subject of straight vs swamped. As far as balance and handling go the swamped barrel wins in a 42 incher. I don't know if you can even get a 54 caliber in 15/16ths, probably have to go 1" or better.

Hope that helps.

dave

[Mountain-Man]

I know colerain has a straight 15/16 in the 54 but the swamped its 1" at the breech

I guess the reason I was going to use a straight barrel instead of a swamped barrel is that this is my first attempt at building a longrifle and figure a straight barrel will be easier to inlet then a swamped barrel

[PPatch]

I know colerain has a straight 15/16 in the 54 but the swamped its 1" at the breech

I guess the reason I was going to use a straight barrel instead of a swamped barrel is that this is my first attempt at building a longrifle and figure a straight barrel will be easier to inlet then a swamped barrel

A straight line vs a 3D curved one. Swamped is a bit more complicated but not ALL that much more. If you go slow and sure you'll be able to do it. Besides, to get it right you'd have to go slow and sure on a straight barrel too... ;o) A 42 inch straight will be heavy at the nose compared to a swamped 42.

My first self inletted barrel was swamped, came out fine, I had done a Chambers kit before that though so had an idea of how things went. Either straight or swamped its a chore, takes me four or five days to do one using only hand tools. I'm slow... but I try and be sure. You learn as you go, if you're not sure ask questions before you cut.

Getting the barrel in properly is the first step, everything else on a gun keys off the barrel, especially the lock and triggers so it pays to take your time  - get it in, and right, and you're well on your way. You could have it and the ramrod hole done for you too, just adds to the cost.

dave

[Mountain-Man]

I think I've decided on the early Virginia style, would walnut or maple be more historically correct?

[Dennis Glazener]

early Virginia style, would walnut or maple be more historically correct?

If you are talking a plain Jane mountain style rifle I would use what you prefer and have access to. I have seen both walnut and maple and think either one would be fine. If you are new to building I suspect maple will be the most forgiving. Most plain grain walnut splits easily, at least most of what I have used does.
Dennis

[PPatch]

I think I've decided on the early Virginia style, would walnut or maple be more historically correct?

Good call on an early VA style, I think you'll like that. 

Whatever wood you decide on I would not go for highly figured wood on a first rifle, some figure, sure, but I wouldn't pay for premium grades. For tradition you can't go wrong with hard sugar maple and maple will work better than your average walnut. Both woods are traditional rifle stocking wood so take your pick (choose maple...).

dave

[Mountain-Man]

I'm good with maple, its cheaper too!

Anybody know anything about, Muzzleloader builder's supply's pre shaped stocks?

[PPatch]

Good choice.

I'm into a walnut stocked 36 cal. right now that is giving me fits because the wood is so dense yet splintery.  I've named the rifle "Trouble" because of that darned walnut. I should have used it for firewood.

So...

Iron mounted Early VA style.
42" Swamped 54 caliber.
Hard Sugar Maple stock, with a bit of curl just for grins.

You're making good choices.

MLBS is a good outfit, I purchase most of my general supplies from them. I don't see any SMR or Early VA kit offerings on their website though. However that does not mean they don't sell them. I have never bought a kit from them.

dave

[Mountain-Man]

Well I'm going to be buying parts as money allows, I'm a poor boy 

[frogwalking]

If you mean this kind of hog:



Then I strongly recommend this:


or this kind of flintlock.



Best of luck to you.

Frog.

[Mountain-Man]

Biggest hog I've killed was about 300lbs on the hoof, and he was young, his tusk had just started cutting...most I've killed though are 150-200lbs on the hoof. Not saying there's not monster hogs out there (I've seen tracks and rubs of huge hogs) For that guy I think I want my M1 Garand , but I usually drop them with my AR15

[Joe S.]

Ar's,garands ect.don't fit the forum here so you gotta pick either that volley gun or that front stuffer howizter.I think either will make some fine pulled pork sandwiches

[Mountain-Man]

Ar's,garands ect.don't fit the forum here so you gotta pick either that volley gun or that front stuffer howizter.I think either will make some fine pulled pork sandwiches

Why not make a 9 barrel howitzer 

[PPatch]

Why not make a 9 barrel howitzer 

Now you're talking! Mount it in the bed of a pickup - hawgs be over in the next state pretty soon.

dave

[Joe S.]

Why not make a 9 barrel howitzer 

Now you're talking! Mount it in the bed of a pickup - hawgs be over in the next state pretty soon.

dave

and everything else that walks or crawls when you pull up with that!

[oldtravler61]

40 cal behind the ear. They drop real fast. But that volley gun would make a fine hog gun.imho

[Mountain-Man]

Well I just got back from Tip Curtis', all I can say is wow! Really glad I made the trip. Handled most of his rifles and definitely going to go with an early Virginia style, with swamped barrel in .54. What I'm not sure about is the length, the 42" felt really nice but the the 38" felt even better.

[oldtravler61]

Mountain's. Either Will work. I have a 44inch 54 and a 40 with a 38 inch barrel. Open areas I like the 54 . Swamp hunting prefer the 40. They both come to the shoulder fast but for me the 38 just feels a tad easier to aim an hold. But it all personnel. So shoot some different guns. Before you commit. Imho.

[Mountain-Man]

Which lock would be correct for an early Virginia style rifle?

[sqrldog]

I highly recommend a Chambers early Ketland.