Finished my first flintlock rifle!

[Sbarton]

Thought I'd post a few pictures of my recently finished longrifle.
It's a chambers kit in. 54 cal. 38" barrel, mostly curly maple stock.
What a project! I've built a number of firearms, but this one has been the most satisfying, my 1911 being a close runner up.
Now I'm just trying to work up a good load for it!

I really enjoyed building it and I'm proud to share it with all you fine people!

I know the front site is backwards in this pic, I've since fixed it. I built the horn too. even the wife likes it.

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[Roundball58]

Another flintlock at TCGC!

Looks good, except the lock is on the wrong side.

TCGC monthly muzzleloader shoot is the second Sunday of the month. Shooting starts at 0900. 25, 50 and 100 yds off hand.

 

[DirectDrive]

Beauty !

 

[Sbarton]

Another flintlock at TCGC!

Looks good, except the lock is on the wrong side.

TCGC monthly muzzleloader shoot is the second Sunday of the month. Shooting starts at 0900. 25, 50 and 100 yds off hand.

Thanks for the invite roundball, I'll be taking you up on it. I meant to get to Sunday's shoot, but just couldn't make it happen with all the mothers in my life!

 

[Roundball58]

Thanks for the invite roundball, I'll be taking you up on it. I meant to get to Sunday's shoot, but just couldn't make it happen with all the mothers in my life!

And Barlow Trail Rendezvous is 18-21 July at Government Camp.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Good looking rifle and horn...Nice to see another Flintlock Long Rifle here...
I find that 60-80 grains of 2F , a .15 patch and a .530 round ball does pretty good in most of the .54 caliber rifles that I have owned or shoot....
Andy

 

[CountryGent]

Ever so neat-o. 'gratz.

 

[Sbarton]

Good looking rifle and horn...Nice to see another Flintlock Long Rifle here...
I find that 60-80 grains of 2F , a .15 patch and a .530 round ball does pretty good in most of the .54 caliber rifles that I have owned or shoot....
Andy

I'll give it a try Andy. I started with .535 with either .015 or .012, I can't remember. But it loaded ok in a clean barrel, got kinda tight after a few shots.
I'm planning on shooting .530 on the next trip, seehow that does with my patches or some 12oz canvas.
It's a round bottom rifled rice barrel, I've heard they like thicker patch.

 

[Southpaw]

Nice job on that!

I was pleasantly surprised to see you built a "Lefty" rifle. I might just have to look into one of those kits.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

I'll give it a try Andy. I started with .535 with either .015 or .012, I can't remember. But it loaded ok in a clean barrel, got kinda tight after a few shots.
I'm planning on shooting .530 on the next trip, seehow that does with my patches or some 12oz canvas.
It's a round bottom rifled rice barrel, I've heard they like thicker patch.

I like a "looser" load than many other shooters...I even try to avoid using a short starter...In my experience most shooters of today shoot a far tighter patch and ball combo , than what was historically used.
That said...that is only important if you want to shoot like Daniel Boone or Kit Carson...

As for getting "tight" after a few shots , fouling can cause that ...fouling will happen , sometimes fast or slow , depending on just how many shots and humidity in the weather...
Andy

 

[GOG]

Nicely done. The wood's pretty sweet too.

 

[Sbarton]

Nice job on that!

I was pleasantly surprised to see you built a "Lefty" rifle. I might just have to look into one of those kits.

I shot a righty a while back, the pan flash in my face wasn't a problem but the stock castoff felt odd.
I'd be perfectly happy with a straight stock and a right side lock. My next rifle might be a leman halfstock in that configuration.

 

[Southpaw]

I shot a righty a while back, the pan flash in my face wasn't a problem but the stock castoff felt odd.
I'd be perfectly happy with a straight stock and a right side lock. My next rifle might be a leman halfstock in that configuration.

Good to know, maybe I should give the "righty" flintlock my Dad built in the 70's a try. Iv'e always been a little leery of shooting it L handed.

 

[Sbarton]

I like a "looser" load than many other shooters...I even try to avoid using a short starter...In my experience most shooters of today shoot a far tighter patch and ball combo , than what was historically used.
That said...that is only important if you want to shoot like Daniel Boone or Kit Carson...

As for getting "tight" after a few shots , fouling can cause that ...fouling will happen , sometimes fast or slow , depending on just how many shots and humidity in the weather...
Andy

I'm very interested in learning to load and shoot the way the old timers did it. I'd like to get a good look at some original barrels. The few I've seen (on line) don't look like our modern barrels at the muzzle.

By the way Andy, I've been reading a number of your posts, I appreciate your take on shooting older style firearms in these modern times.
The older I get, the simpler I want things to be!

 

[Sbarton]

Good to know, maybe I should give the "righty" flintlock my Dad built in the 70's a try. Iv'e always been a little leery of shooting it L handed.

I wouldn't worry too much about it, from my very little experience!
If you want to try a lefty, come to a shoot. I'm going to try to catch the ones coming up this summer.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

The few I've seen (on line) don't look like our modern barrels at the muzzle.

Here are some muzzle shots...I need to get some of the bores...soon I hope...


Thanks for the kind words....
Andy

 

[Sbarton]

Here are some muzzle shots...I need to get some of the bores...soon I hope...
View attachment 579229

Thanks for the kind words....
Andy

Thanks Andy, you certainly are a wealth of knowledge regarding black powder firearms!
I appreciate the tips, now to get shooting!

 

[jj500]

Good looking rifle but I thought the lock was on the correct side to begin with!

 

[Sbarton]

Good looking rifle but I thought the lock was on the correct side to begin with!

Thanks, and It is!

 

[HB of CJ]

Left Hand Lock.