correction: want a new .54, but can't decide between Jim Chambers rifles

[nemovir]

In case you are curious.  I have made my decision and have put in my order with Chambers and Co.  It will be a .54 caliber English Sporting rifle.  No patch box,  but an upgrade in walnut stock. 

[MuskratMike]

If Mr. Chambers has anything to do with it you will be more than happy. Post us some pictures when it's done and ready to fire.

[Ghillie]

I think you will be very pleased.  I had one of those when the parts kit was offered by Miller and Getz back in the 90's.  It was probably the best hunting rifle I ever owned.  Light and maneuverable in the woods and the .54 never failed with one shot on a deer.  I was enticed by a friend about 4 years ago to trade it to him and I regret it to this day.  I've been thinking about ordering one from Jim in a .58.  I replaced the short rifle with a Virginia style rifle in .58 with a 38 inch barrel.  It is awesome, but not a friendly to use as the English rifle.  But being 73 years old I'm not sure the investment in a new rifle is a good move.  I need to use the ones I have more as opposed to building a new rifle to set in the safe with the others.  Recoil is not a problem with that rifle.  I normally shot 100 grains 2F and the recoil was very manageable and not a problem.

[nemovir]

If Mr. Chambers has anything to do with it you will be more than happy. Post us some pictures when it's done and ready to fire.

I'm sure it will be great.  I ask to have one of their Little Fella's rifle in .40 built for me a couple of years ago.  It came out beautifully. I've gotten many compliments at the public range.

They tell me 2 guns are ahead of me with their maker.  I prefer plain rifles, but may ask for a shell, or what ever it's called, carved below the barrel tang, nothing too elaborate or showy.

If you are curious, I did asked how much it would cost to have one built just like the one they have pictured on their website out of curiosity, they quoted 7000 to 9000 dollars.

 

[Justin]

I was concerned about recoil when I was buying my kit from Jim Chambers. Because I wanted to hunt deer, he recommended either a 50 or 54 caliber and he said the 54 caliber barrel is lighter (presumably because more metal is removed from the bore). That convinced me to go with 54 because I'd be carrying the rifle around in the woods.

You can see my post about my shooting below... I built an Isaac Haines kit and when I shoot off bags, I just get the butt properly seated in the joint of my shoulder and I don't even put my front hand on the stock. It kicks and you can feel it but without a scope, you have no worry of hitting yourself in the eye. When I did shoot it once, I had my face pretty buried in the cheek rest and it kind of knocked me a bit in the face but wasn't so bad.

I shoot a lot of sporting clays with my 20 gauge and I honestly didn't find it much different.

[thecapgunkid]

Daryl makes a very good point...I agree that the traditional later period rifles were not comfortable to shoot with heavier loads in larger bore sizes.
The earlier American guns designs that followed even earlier German Designs were the best of the American's for handling recoil.
The flattish wide butts helps distribute recoil and the straight stock shapes also helped with less rise and move backwards movement.

The Christians Spring gun is heavier and the recoil is well distributed.  The English Gentleman's is almost a Zephyr weight and will probably kick a little more.  Fifty Four Caliber is a comfortable one, but will add some weight to either Chambers Kit.  I am a big fan of the mid-century giuns because of intense interest in the F&IW, especially up in Lake George.  The references to the hunters at Edward and William Henry imply heavy and clumsy but deadly accurate guns.  The Rangers were apparently assigned patrol to escort these hunters periodically.

Go for it and good luck.

[nemovir]

Is there a way to change the subject line?

[rich pierce]

Is there a way to change the subject line?

Go back to your first post.  Look for the “modify” button.  Change the title and save. It will not change the titles of subsequent posts however. As the original poster you also have the option of deleting the whole thing by deleting your first post.

[nemovir]

Is there a way to change the subject line?

Go back to your first post.  Look for the “modify” button.  Change the title and save. It will not change the titles of subsequent posts however. As the original poster you also have the option of deleting the whole thing by deleting your first post.

Thank you. I should had asked previously when I discovered my Subject line wasn't clear. 

[WadePatton]

Thanks for editing your Subject.

It makes searching much more effective when searching "titles only" and "titles only" searching works GREAT when folks use good (properly spelled) Subject lines. 

...

[Heyboy]

Target loads would be 55-60  grains. Hunting load 70 grains. Recoil will be mild. If you feel the need run her up to 100 grains, punch your shoulde and slap your face. I've killed bear, deer and moose with 50 to 70 grains of bp. None of those animals complained that I didn't use enough powder!
Nit Wit

I agree. Find the sweet spot where it shoots accurately and put a ball where it counts. I see guys I hunt with in late flintlock season shooting 100 grains or more. If you go to where they shot it looks like someone dumped a pepper shaker all over the snow, not all that powder is burning up. So you have the weight of the ball and all the payload of powder going out too.