My first muzzleloader rifle and I built it myself!

[Simpkins01]

I just built a Traditions .50 caliber Kentucky rifle myself. Boy howdy was it tough. Should have started with something more simple, maybe a Hawkens style kit. It turned out really nice and kept me busiy. Alot of sanding, filing and chisel work. Then all that staining of wood and brown rusting of the barrel. It was my first try and I am very proud. Many mistakes were made. Too much chisel work in places and not very good alignment of forend stock pin holes, kind of made a gap at the joint of forend and stock. You have got to make sure to clamp everything down before starting to drill. Oops! I also got impatient with driving in new Brass pins made from a toilet lift arm and punched out some of the wood around the front pin whole. Oops!
Now the good stuff. Everything fits together really well. Wood stain is Home Dangler Dark red stain. Three coats. The Barrell is rust browned with Homer Dangler Dark brown. I polished up the Brass nice and shiney, like that alot. Then put car wax to preserve the shine. Looks really nice, at least to me. I will try to get some shooting done before Deer season with BP comes in January here in Texas.

 

[Bearkiller]

Welcome to the forum! Looks good to me. I may be mistaken but I think the rear sight is in backwards....

 

[necchi]

Hi new member,, let us know how we can help.

 

[shane a gress]

Welcome to the forum! Looks good to me. I may be mistaken but I think the rear sight is in backwards....

That's for the over the shoulder, looking through the mirror trick shot.
Great job on the build, I always learned the most when I make mistakes.

 

[Simpkins01]

Thanks guys. I did not notice that. I just changed it around.

 

[Ricochet]

Very nice, I do like that stain color.

 

[mushka]

My first black powder gun was a TC hawkin kit in 54 cal. I built in in 87 or 88 during a bad winter in Maryland. I remember it was fun and I enjoyed it. I browned the barrel with some Birchwood Casey stuff and it looked real good browned, but for whatever reason over the years it has turned almost black I modified the butt by taking off the curved brass as it would not fit with heavy winter clothing. Flattened it out and screwed a shotgun butt plate. Works ok. I still have the rifle and shoot it now and then. Enjoy the rifle you put together and I hope you shoot yours more than I've shot mine in the past. It's only been this year when I got hooked on muzzle loaders and now I have five of them and one being built that should be ready in January.

 

[Boomerang]

Looks good to me, but you might want to turn that rear sight around or it might shoot backwards! LOL. Welcome to the madness!

 

[Sparkitoff]

Looking good. You can use it the whole firearms season in Texas! Why wait until January?

 

[Grumpa]

Very nicely done, especially as a first effort.

Richard/Grumpa

 

[rafterob]

Looks good but you should seal the stock. I recommend rubbing in a good linseed oil or similar product. After the oil coats are dry, seal with a paste wax.

 

[gds260]

Welcome and nice build. Always better when you build your own.

 

[dsayer]

Major props on going straight to a kit! Welcome to the forum! Lots of great folks on here.

 

[pjdarby]

Congratulations. It looks good. You will have a lot of pride when you take a deer with a rifle you built yourself.

 

[hanshi]

Welcome to the forum, Simpkins01. You did a good job for a first build; nice looking rifle. Each time you do a build, you'll gain experience enough to do some great work.

 

[Bent Sight]

Your rifle looks good to me. Good job!

Let us know how she shoots and your favorite patch, patch lube, powder, ball recipe for accuracy.

 

[32 ballard xl]

I'm jealous! Very nice job.

 

[Cowboy]

Welcome to our forum my friend! I think you did a fine job!! It’s a pretty Rifle. You should be very proud.

Respectfully, Cowboy

 

[TheDegenerateBarber]

Looks great! I’m wanting to put together a trade gun or Kentucky this winter. It will be my first build as well. Now getcha self out to shoot it!
Reuben

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Not bad at all for a first time, stop knocking yourself. The point was a) you got a working rifle and b) you learned some things, right? All's Good!

NOW..., we're waiting for the Range Report! Which means photos!

LD