Wanted to say thanx!

[Mauser06]

So...i found this site because Matt/PA knew of bowkill selling his Colerain turkey Fowler and thought I'd be interested...

Long story short I bought it....


At the same time...i found myself building a gun...

I started flintlock hunting like 12 years or so ago...when i turned 16 my buddies flintlock hunted and I wanted to join...like many hunters in PA I bought me a used TC Hawken 50cal...

I've killed a decent pile of deer with it since then...

I found myself wanting more..put the L&R lock on.. refinished the stock..aged the brass..

Custom guns seemed out of my price range...building a gun seemed out of my league...

I found a fast twist green mountain 1" 50cal barrel..wasn't crazy about the fast twist..i wanted a 58cal..but I figured I'd shoot a big conical..

I found a 1" TC tang..

I ordered steel furniture from TOTW...

I then ordered a stock from Pectonia River...a TC replacement stock...

I realized quick that it was more than a finish the wood kinda deal...

Stock was thick and slabby...extra long on both ends...nothing "dropped in".

Send it back and buy a used TC renegade stock?? 


No....not me...i wanted to see what the grade 4 maple looked like...


I've been working on it when I have time since March or so....

I've made some errors...my inletting isn't as tight as Id like...

I learned a LOT while I worked...

And I learned most of it from this forum...I've been lurking and reading constantly...

Also watched videos on YouTube....if Mike that makes the TOTW build videos is on here....ive learned a ton from your videos... thank you!!!



And I wanted to thank you guys...it's hard for a person to learn such a thing..and you can waste a lot of time and money attempting to learn...i appreciate you guys sharing your knowledge..


I'm not quite done yet...i have a bit to do and I will be finishing maybe this weekend...

But I wanted to thank you guys because i learned a lot here...

Sadly I don't take pics of the build...this is the only pic I took prior to starting...




I will certainly post pics when I am done...


I still think I may send the barrel out somewhere to be bored to 58cal...if anyone has recommendations...i will test fire it as a 50cal...but Ive wanted a 58cal forever now....i don't know why...lol...

[moleeyes36]

Mauser06,

First off welcome to the forum.  It seems like you may be approaching the point where you could be looking at the price of a used custom rifle.  However, you might consider selling that .50 caliber barrel rather boring it out.  If you Google The Gun Works you'll see that they offer a drop in .58 Oregon barrel to fit your rifle.  Just a thought.

Mole Eyes

[Dave Marsh]

If I read your post right your 50 cal barrel is 1"across the flats.  Send it to Bobby Hoyt and he'll turn it into a 58 for you.  Just had one done myself.  About $100 plus shipping.  I understand the obsession with the 58 as I have the same one.

Dave

[PPatch]

Ya gotta cut your teeth on something and that build looks like a good one to do so. Welcome to ALR and I too benefit from these folks willingness to share their hard earned knowledge.

I suspect you will soon be building another rifle... )

dave

[Daryl]

Do it - Bobby H. can save your barrel for you.  You can shoot that little .58 and save up for the parts for a big bore rifle - these start at about 20 bore, but 16 or 14 is better yet - then the largest, most dangerous of NA game come, well, not easy, but within reach.

Re-building a TC is bow I got started, then built one and quit - oh well. Not enough patience.  My bro, on the other hand, does have the patience and skill. Yeah - I lacked both.

You are doing just great, Mauser06.

[thimble rig]

Welcome friend.Dont worry this wont be youre last build,Once you finish this one and shoot it you will start planning  the next one.Dont be afraid to ask questions if you run into problems everyone on this site are pretty awesome.Good luck on youre build.

[Mauser06]

I typed a reply last night and it's not showing up...?



Anyways.....I'm not really too deep in money wise on this...200 for the barrel..225 for stock..150 for lock (which I had). 50 for trigger...figure around $700..approaching a used semi custom or a semi custom kit gun...


I actually called Oregon barrel co. Yesterday morning...about a 2 month weight....but they wanted me to send them my stock...they didn't even know it wasn't a factory stock...i thought that was odd...so that'd be an additional $200 barrel wise..by the time I pay shipping and put sights on it... assuming I can get my money back from mine..

Was gunna buy a 1" Colerain..but same thing...by the time im done I'm in the hole deeper...

Not a huge deal...but I have the barrel...and can have it bored for $100 or so...just a bit more economical....

Factor in the tools I bought....ya...I'd be in custom gun range lol....


It is IMO a good way to get started...i encountered many issues....and had to figure out how to overcome them...


I enjoy it very much....I've been thinking about "the next one" all along lol....


I have a lot of wants..squirrel rifle...longrifle sleek and slender and lighter...smoothbore...pistol...


I've heard pistols are tougher to build....but I've always wanted a flintlock pistol to shoot and carry deer hunting....that might be my next build....



This one isn't perfect...I've made some mistakes...my inletting isn't as tight as Id like...i missed my drill hole in a few places and they are off center...but I still think it'll turn out pretty decent....and as of right now it's 100% functional...i could technically shoot it....


It's gunna be awesome to hunt with a rifle I built with my own two hands...i know...i didnt carve the stock from a tree...forge the metal..make my own screws etc...lol. But before my hands got on it it was NOT a gun and would not work as one...

I've soaked a lot of sweat and literally blood into the stock... literally bled on it atleast 3 times that I remember...i read on here about keeping chisles sharp...well..they cut skin lol....


Now that I'm starting to shape it I'm getting very excited..it's starting to take life....



White lightnin liner is in...nose piece is ready to be poured...Vex bit and scrapers will be here today so I can put on the butt plate and trigger guard..then final shaping....

Kiblers staining supplies will be here any day...and I already have Chambers oil finish.....I'm hoping to be able to stain Sunday and get the first coat of oil on...we'll see...I gotta go fishin....dying for some time on the water...so I'm heading out shortly....


Will get you guys pics as soon as she's ready!   


It's a franken-rifle of sorts....only TC part is the tang....but it should be a functional rifle...that I gave life with my own 2 hands....that's pretty dang cool...

[KC]

Nice build, I look forward to seeing the final pictures.
K.C.

[Joe S.]

You hit it on the head,there is something to be said for building one of these things with your own two hands.Don't be two hard on your self for some small mistakes, it not going to be the first time.The one thing about being here is the help and support,these fine folks have been there and done that and will gladly help you.Good luck and sounds like the build bug bit you,I'm sure number two can't be far behind.

[Mauser06]

Joe, you're absolutely right....so far I don't have any major errors....i think once finished my inletting for the most part won't look horrible either...my skills need refined and tuned a bunch...Its nowhere as tight and clean and well done as a gun built by a master builder...but I'm sure the next will be better..and the one after that even better...


And you're also right about #2.... literally have been pondering what to build next since I started this build and realized I love it....time consuming...a lot of work...lots of frustration...but very enjoyable to me...


Carrying a gun through the woods that I build with my own 2 hands is gunna be something else...