First build complete

[Hatman/2nd line]

You did great! Good luck with her!

 

[Ed Pilkington]

First build is special…treasure the good and the bad. You may find it shoots better than # 3, 4, 5 or 6!🎚

 

[Col. Batguano]

Are you planning another build some time soon? Building can get to be very habit forming. I find that when I am in the middle of a build, that I tend to get out and shoot a lot less while it's going on.

 

[hanshi]

If that's your first build then I'd say you have a talent for it. Excellent work and beautiful rifle.

 

[jackpine54]

You are very talented sir. She's a beauty! Even got the lock on the correct side, a lot of guys mess that one up.

 

[BillKilgore]

Beautiful gun, now go to the range and let us know how it shoots.

Considering (1) these were my first shots ever with a flintlock and (2) the first time I have built a rifle, I’m satisfied.

Thanks for all the positive comments.

 

[Sidney Smith]

biggest error is the lock is on the wrong side!
that is spectacular! my first didn't turn out that well!

That's funny, I didn't notice the lock being on the wrong side. I guess when you're a lefty it just looks natural on the left side.

Rifle looks very nice. Good job.

 

[BillKilgore]

Are you planning another build some time soon? Building can get to be very habit forming. I find that when I am in the middle of a build, that I tend to get out and shoot a lot less while it's going on.

No plans at this time. However....if Jim Chambers offers another rifle building class, I may try to get in on it. I can see a left-handed Isaac Haines hanging beside this one.

 

[BillKilgore]

I was shooting about 50 grains of Goex FFg with a PRB. I would like to work up a load that gives the best accuracy. What would you gentlemen consider a max load?

 

[Sidney Smith]

Are you planning another build some time soon? Building can get to be very habit forming. I find that when I am in the middle of a build, that I tend to get out and shoot a lot less while it's going on.

That's why I do my builds during the crappiest part of winter, when I normally am not out shooting and hunting, anyway.

 

[deerstalkert]

what ball size and what thickness of patch are you using? both will affect accuracy.
50g is a great starting point. you will need to play with the charge to find your guns sweet spot.
i have found giving definite opinions on charges is like giving opinions on redheads and blondes!
everybody has their own likes and so does each gun.

 

[Cattywompuss]

I was shooting about 50 grains of Goex FFg with a PRB. I would like to work up a load that gives the best accuracy. What would you gentlemen consider a max load?

Max load is kind of a sore spot for some, no pun intended. You should never need more than 100 grains in a .50. Patched Round Balls are much lighter than conicals, and you will probably not find a lot of accuracy above 100 grains. That's a very stout load in a flintlock. I have good luck with 60 grains at 50+ yards.

 

[BillKilgore]

what ball size and what thickness of patch are you using? both will affect accuracy.
50g is a great starting point. you will need to play with the charge to find your guns sweet spot.
i have found giving definite opinions on charges is like giving opinions on redheads and blondes!
everybody has their own likes and so does each gun.

I'm shooting Hornady 0.495 lead ball with a 0.010 oiled patch. 50 grains of FFg gave a very gentle recoil.

Thanks Deerstalker and Cattywompuss for the advice.

 

[Nor Cal Mikie]

Picked up a "kit" from one of the Guys on here maybe 5/6+ years ago.
Got the barrel lugs put on and the butt place fitted. THAT was a chore in it's self. Then the building spirit left and never came back.
Not too long ago, found a Guy with LOTS of building spirit left so off it went to him to finish off.
If for some reason you're "not into it" time to get it to someone else to build.
YOU did a KILLER job!! Beautiful results.
And just in case you didn't already know, left handed people are in their right minds.

 

[Col. Batguano]

You SHOULD take your gun out and enjoy it for a while. Maybe a whole summer. If you decide to do another build, it will be a handy reference for you to have in hand, mistakes and all. The more you look at it, the more you will see, and you will become your own harshest critic. That's how you learn and advance your skills as a builder.

 

[MSW]

i agree that the lock panels are a bit on the big side, but not so much as to be problematic. as regards the "max load," i would counsel against "magnumitis:" you needn't push the ball any faster than it needs to go. even a fairly modest load will go through Bambi in just about any direction.
what you're really after is accuracy. to this end, i recommend Dutch Schoultz' method. Here's a link:

http://www.blackpowderrifleaccuracy.com/

 

[Jackdee]

Looks great, alot better than my first

 

[TFoley]

Considering (1) these were my first shots ever with a flintlock and (2) the first time I have built a rifle, I’m satisfied.

Thanks for all the positive comments.

View attachment 115702

I like the way you put numbers there and then got the bullet holes so near!! Now THAT is some skilful shooting!!

 

[Bibs]

One to be proud of.

 

[Pete G]

My 50 caliber load is 75 grains of FFG or 70 grains of FFFG.