I did not see a particular forum for introductions so I figured I would go ahead and do it here before I asked a few general questions. My path to black powder has been kind of a backdoor entry. I am first and foremost a hunter and trapper (still hoping to be a mountain man when I grow up) and guns, bows, etc have always just been tools with exception of a couple of older firearms that belonged to my granddad. I spent my high school and college years in northwest Tennessee and frequented Dixie Gun Works and have always liked the idea of building a black powder rifle but never followed through with it. Several years ago I sold my compound bow and dove into traditional archery which I loved but due to shoulder issues (at the ripe old age of 26) my ability is severely limited in that area. After shooting a trad bow compounds were unattractive and while competent for ensuring a full freezer my customized bean field rifle was not all that much fun. Long story longer I purchased a used TC flintlock hawken(ish) rifle last year and ended up hunting almost exclusively with it because it was just that much fun and have now decided that it's time to build a real gun.
There are two rifles that I currently want to build and I think I am going to do them in the wrong order. Neither rifle would be a show piece but meant to be used as hunting rifles.
The first rifle I plan to build is a full stock flintlock plains rifle (Hawken inspired but I'm not a stickler on the details - too much) in either .54 or .58 (leaning towards .58) as this will be primarily an elk rifle for now and when the budget allows a griz and bison rifle.
The second would be a southern mountain rifle in .40 or .45 that would resemble what my family in Tennessee would have carried back in the day for squirrel, deer, etc.
Hopefully I will be ordering parts for the plains rifle this fall and winter and will be building next spring and summer. I have access to a family member's workshop and his expertise on woodworking, cabinetry etc. and also have access to a first rate gunsmith/metal worker who could handle such tasks as fitting breech plugs, milling dovetails, etc. if I did not feel up to the task. Any input you guys have on where to start would be awesome - I have already combed through this forum and youtube etc.. If there are any parts of a build that a first time builder should definitely NOT try themselves please let me know! I figure I will be well over 150 hours getting my first rifle in the white and don't plan on rushing any part of it.
I am located just north of Memphis Tennessee now and if anyone is within a few hours I would love to meet up and shoot/talk whatever.
