Gentleman:
First, I would like to introduce myself. I use Tmas for Thomas. I was born a U'per in Northern Michigan. My first job was in East Tennessee. I never fully recovered from that adventure. I am long retired and am living in So. California.
With retirement I rekindled an interest in building a flintlock muzzle loader. I love the looks of The Southern Mountain Rifle, and am intrigued with the possibility of a couple 100 yard X's with a flintlock.
I have been enjoying this thread, nice pictures of beautiful guns, and some great incites. The question I had when I started here was,”Which caliber gives the best accuracy?”. The answer to that question seems to be in one of my favorite E Tenn expressions. “You pays your money and takes you choices”. I might also add, it depends on how dead you want your squirrels or how far you want to walk to change your paper targets. I like accuracy in a rifle and think one of the Rice, 40 cal. 44 inch barrels, maybe swamped if it will give better balance/a steady hold.
Last, when I could get a couple of E. Tenn squirrels I made Brunswick Stew. Squirrel browned in bacon grease. Add some rabbet or chicken if you need more meat. A couple of onions also browned after the meat. Water, about a quart for every pair of bushy tails. This gets simmered for about 1 ½ hours, so you simmer it for about 45 min then add the following at the proper time so that they are cooked but not mush when you are finished; carrots, potatoes, fresh butter beans, and fresh corn. Corn bread goes well with this one.
Thanks for an enjoyable read.
Tmas
