Next build ideas.

[Rt5403]

So really enjoyed building my chambers new England Fowler but already thinking about what I wan to do next. It will be awhile due to financial constraints but just trying to get a direction. Now that I have my Fowler I want to try a rifle. So got back on Jim's sight and since I haven't held any or seen them in person I figured o would get you educated gentlemans ideas pros and cons etc.

First I'm not a real fan of short rifles or half stocks sorry hawken fans but I like the long guns. Sorry if I show my ignorance on the subject but can't decide between a big bore Virginia style or a more light .50 Lancaster or York style. What are your opinions on the three? I'm partial to the big bored but the idea of being able to pick up supplies at my local outdoor store kind of draws me towards a .50. I'm thinking about instead of going with a kit just getting a profiled blank with the barrel Inletted from knob mountain because after doing the prcarve I can see the benefits of the square forestock. Sorry if I'm rambling but sitting bored on a Monday night 😆. If this is in the wrong section I apologize. Thanks for the info looking forward to the discussion.

[rich pierce]

Everybody has their own approach. For folks who go further than choosing based on utility or intended use, the main factors usually include timeframe, region,and style.  The typical timeframes are “early” meaning pre-Revolutionary War through the war years, “Golden Age” encompassing post war through maybe 1812, late flint/Southern mountain rifle/early fur trade, and percussion plains rifles. Regions are roughly Virginia and Pennsylvania and unknown for many early rifles, and so on and so on.

Many folks study books and originals in museums and find something that really appeals and then go about making one like that.

All depends on how deep you are into it. Deeper is not better, it’s just deeper. Choosing a gun based on what’s available in kit form from a respected supplier seems a common approach as well. Choose your poison and enjoy the ride.

[Goo]

Since you have time because you are saving up for the next one I would say go to a a few shows hold them look at them in person.  I found what I liked in pictures and books turned out to be way different from what I saw and liked when I shouldered the gun. It turns out I liked french style New England fowlers in Pictures and Dutch or Hudson valley style fowlers when shouldered, two different things. 

[t.caster]

It doesn't have to be Virginia to be a big bore. Lancaster, Lebanon, Reading, Moravian rifles were also found in big .60+ calibers to name a few.
I am working on a .62 cal. 47" barreled J P Beck/Lebanon rifle right now.