I love Bedfords, but opted to start building a Somerset instead. I did this because flint Bedfords are nearly nonexistent, and flintlocks available today are either poor quality, or an obvious adaptations from two different lock styles. The limited lock options, and not being fond of the most common Bedford “Q tip patchbox” got me looking at Somerset school rifles that use a similar stock style, but more traditional locks, and a variety of patchboxes.
These gun are very comfortable to shoot offhand, but not so much off a bench. They also are most often seen in small calibers, because they are almost alway long, slender, and relatively light, which doesn’t lend itself to large calibers.
Hungry Horse
