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Jim Chambers English Sporting Rifle

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Mud_Slide_Slim

32 Cal.
Joined
Dec 20, 2011
Messages
19
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0
Location
Roanoke, VA
Hello all! Well, after almost two years of lurking I thought I would finally ask a question. This is the year I will be moving forward on getting my first flintlock. I really love the English Sporting Rifles and have been looking at the one Jim Chambers offers. I have heard nothing but good things about his kits, but I was wondering if anyone here has one. Or, has anyone at least handled one? Looking for first hand thoughts, opinions, etc.

I would be using this as a primary deer hunting rifle and am leaning towards the .54 caliber. Looking forward to your responses. I have learned so much from all of you...this place is GREAT! :bow:
 
Slim,

I built one two years ago. Great little gun, easy handling hunter.
Have you built any guns previously??
While this makes a great little gun, it is not a particularly easy build.
I'd go with the .54, as you'll lose a little muzzle velocity with the short barrel, and it will be a little lighter and better handling.
I have photos if you'd like to see them.
 
Dane,

Thanks for the input! I will not be building this myself...that is something I plan to tackle later on down the road. If you don't mind I'd like to see how your rifle turned out, so any pics you can share would be appreciated. Which caliber did you build? Also...I was leaning towards the Rice barrel...any comments or suggestions there? I see Jim offers about a handful of barrel types. Probably wouldn't go wrong with any of'em.

Slim-
 
The English Gentleman's Sporting Rifle kit is only available with a Rice barrel.

In fact, according to their site, all their rifle kits are only offered with Rice barrels now.

Their fowler, smooth rifle and pistol kits offer barrels made by Long Hammock, Rayl and Getz.

Enjoy, J.D.
 
Although I do not have the English Sporting Rifle, I did build the Mark Silver .60 cal. It has been my go-to rifle for over 10 years! Great components and Jim was kind enough to offer telephone help during the completion of the rifle. The rifle is very accurate and I would buy another in a flash (no pun)! Top notch operation!
 
I've had the Mark Silver Virginia in .60 as well. Another awesome piece. A real tack driver, but a much longer and heavier gun.
My English Gentleman's was a .50 in a Getz barrel. Again, I'd suggest the .54 for weight, and knockdown power.
Rice barrels are great, some of the best.

Slim, I'd build it for you if you'd like.

Let me know, and I can send photos.
 
Funny you and Dane should mention that Mark Silvers rifle as it was the 2nd on my list of wants. I imagine it would make a heck of a hunting rifle! Especially in .62cal. Just too many choices...

Dane, thank you for the offer to build the rifle. I would like to see the pics of yours and when the time comes maybe we can talk further about the build. I am hoping to get the kit by the end of April. Right now I am waiting to see when my pending back surgery is gonna be scheduled. Once I get recovered from that and get back to work, then I will be lining up the kit.

Slim-
 
Slim, send me your email address, and I'll send a link to some photos. My email is listed here.
 
Jim Chambers makes what i think are the finest kits available. Good parts and good wood. I don't know if the rifle that you want has the option of a swamped barrel but if it does, I'd recommend it. Better weight distribution. All of the barrels that Jim offers are top notch. My Chambers rifle has a swamped Getz barrel. It's a great shooter but if I had it to do over, I might opt for the Rice barrel. Also, get the lightest weight barrel in the caliber you want, Nothing worse than spending the money on a good rifle and putting the many hours of building it only to find out that the barrel that you picked is heavy. When you place your order, ask what is the lightest weight barrel in your chosen caliber that is a available and order that one.

I personally favor the .54 caliber. The .58, I think, is a bit larger than anyone needs for most purposes. The .50 is also a good choice but I still favor the .54.
 
Thanks for the advice on the barrel. I definitely want a swamped barrel...will have to see what weights they offer. Hunted the last two years with a straight barrel, and while I generally like a heavier rifle, I am looking forward to a more well-balanced firearm to carry through the woods.
 
Mud Slide,

Jim only offers one weight barrel. That's why I suggested the .54 as opposed to the .50.
 
Hey Slim,
You are talking about my favoritest rifle of all time. :thumbsup: I built one from Jim's kits several years ago and I just love it. Lightweight, accurate fast handling. I built it for elk hunting in Colorado but haven't been able to get back to hunt there. I have taken it deer hunting several times and it is like carrying a willow switch - nothing to it. The nice thing about the English stock is that the Brits knew something about controlling recoil. Mine is a .58 and I regularly shoot 120gr of Goex 2f and while you know you shot something with some power, it is not uncomfortable. My "plinking" load is 100gr of 2f. I have a Chamber's Early Lancaster (watch the PC police jump on that statement)in .54 and I'd rather shoot a heavy load in the Turvey style:)stir:) than one in the Lanc.
If you have any questions, I will try to help in any way I can.

TG
 
TG,
I have developed an absolute love for the English Sporting Rifle over the past 2 years. Ideally, I wanted a half-stock version, but I figured I couldn't go wrong with a Chamber's kit. It doesn't seem to be a popular style of gun a lot of builders make....at least not that I could find perusing websites.

I do have a question for ya though...is there more drop in the stock on this kit as opposed to original Sporting Rifles? It seems some of the older versions of guns I have seen have a comb that is close to parallel to the barrel. Just curious...I have to say, as far as guns go, nothing is as beautiful as a well made English Sporting Rifle...just my $0.02 worth! :grin:
 
Slim,
When you say "earlier" English sporting styles I'not sure what you are referencing. The Turvey was pretty early in the "sporting" rifle genre - about 1740 or so. There were a lot of more well known makers, e.g. Rigby, Purdey, Manton who made the more familiar style of half-stock sporting rifle but that was long after Turvey's design. Jim Chamber's rifle is based upon a rifle design from Bob Harn - or so I'm told. The original Turvey had a lot of drop in the stock. The Chamber's design is much more like the more recent Rigby or Purdey stock...or more correctly an English fowler. It dose not have much drop in the stock. That straight comb and the great wide butt work very, very well to hold down recoil.
 
ill vote the 58 cal aswell, it will perform better then the 54 and the gun will be lighter.

ive heard nothing but good things about Chambers guns and locks but ive not personally used one yet.

-matt
 
TG,
Sorry, that was my wrong choice of wording...I should have said "other" as opposed to "original." I forgot that it was described as one of the earlier Turvey ESRs in Chamber's description. My historical knowledge of these firearms is lacking but it's coming along slowly. :redface:

I'm glad to hear this gun performs so well...nothing like getting reports from folks with first hand experience to let me know I am making a great choice. :thumbsup:
 
.54 is definitely a great hunting caliber. However, that design (like the jeager's) lends itself to a .58 or .62 and I would go with the heavier calibers - since I already have a .54 :grin:
 
Slim,

PLEASE do not feel like I was being critical!! :( Man, I am sorry if I came across that way.! :doh: I am barely literate in muzzleloading...let alone ANY kind of authority.

The Chamber's ESR is a good muzzleloader in my opinion and I would recommend one to anyone who is looking for a fine hunting rifle. One thing that you might hear regarding the rifle is about the lock. They wear Chamber's Round Face English lock. This is larger, slower and heavier lock than a lot of others -- but it is RELIABLE! That thing throws lots and lots of sparks. In a big game hunting rifle I will come down on the side of reliability over speed everytime.

Best of luck with it!

TG
 
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