Picking out new rifle help needed

Need some advice once again,well I do a lot of target shooting I spend atleast 4 or 5 days at the range,I use my C/T hawkin 50 cal a lot but I would like to get a 2nd flint lock for nothing but target shooting or a percussion.I’m interested in any opinion since I’m new to flint locks.my budget is $500 to $600

Unfortunately with a budget flintlock that's what you'll get.

IMO, if you have $600 to spare, put that down on a nice Kibler kit and save for the rest. By the time it's ready to ship you can have the remainder ready. Then you'll have something that is actually worth money versus a off the shelf production gun. Also to note it'll be a very high quality piece that will give you many years of enjoyment.

To each his own but I've seen so many rush out and buy a cheap firelock and they wonder why it never functions properly... In turn a bad wrap is then given to flintlock reliability due to a possible assumption that cheaper is better which it certainly is not in the world of flinting. Good luck on your decision!

Well, if you want something almost identical to what you have then a Lyman or Cabela's Investarms will fit your bill.

Although, having traveled that road before....It's not the path I would take.. I would save that $600 and put it towards the gun of your dreams....

Ok that’s kinda what I thought.Thanks for the input as always good advice.

Thunderduck said:

Ok that’s kinda what I thought.Thanks for the input as always good advice.

Click to expand...

There is a thread going in the Builders forum with pics of a completed Kibler. You will be convinced.

When you start to think about a flintlock rifle, the first though for accuracy, whether for target or hunting is the lock. Then for accuracy its the triggers. Target shooting for most off a rest or off hand will be better with a set trigger. Double set trigger allow you to shoot the rifle with a comfortable single trigger for hunting or woods walk targets. The very light set trigger is better suited for shooting paper targets or chunk gun matches.

Stock architecture is important for target shooting. What is comfortable for off hand shooting may very well be a cheek slapper when shot off a rest. Then if you shoot prone with the rifle on a chunk of wood (over the log or chunk gun shooting), you may find that the wonderful off hand rifle can't be aligned when on the ground.

Barrels are often quite accurate. Really its the profile that is suitable for the rifle that becomes important.

If you are getting the sense that I am not about to suggest a rifle for you, well you are correct. Your budget will only cover a lock, barrel and stock parts. You still need triggers and all the remaining hardware and the time and skills to build one.

You need to get into a traditional muzzle loading gun club. There you may find a rifle that fits your budget and your shooting needs.

In the mean time, set your $600 aside in a safe place. An assembled rifle that fits your desires will probably cost from $1200 to $1800 and more.

I've seen many would be rocklock shooters give up because of a cheap rifle. A decent flintlock eliminates much of the frustration inherent in lower cost guns making the experience so much more enjoyable. The initial cash outlay may seem steep, but think of it as an investment.

I've built multiple rifles over the years and if my wife knew the costs associated with each I'd be sleeping outside, which isn't a bad thing... Point aside with this hobby skimping on a firelock isn't a wise move...

I personally have never built a Kibler kit, from what I've read and seen they are essentially a "in the white" build for those who have experience building other kits. So... I just had to see what the rave was about and have ordered both the Colonial rifle and Mountain rifle. Please don't tell my wife... :grin:

You can always keep your eye out for a used Pedersoli Frontier/Blue Ridge flinter or percussion rifle in your current price range. $400-$600 ought to cover that easy enough. Not the quality of a Kibler but a decent gun in your price range. If your like a lot of the rest of us, you will be spending a bunch more over the coming years as your weapons seem to multiply! Greg

Thank you for the advice,I understand price is always the obstacle in the way.I figure if I can get a good starting platform and work my way up I would be happy.So I will go to Dixons this week and see what they have in my price range to get me a good starting platform.

Thunderduck said:

Thank you for the advice,I understand price is always the obstacle in the way.I figure if I can get a good starting platform and work my way up I would be happy.So I will go to Dixons this week and see what they have in my price range to get me a good starting platform.

Click to expand...

Unfortunately, there is no starting platform. Inexpensive guns don't really appreciate and all you have is a gun that you can't really sell. A cheap flintlock is likely to give you problems and convince you that flintlocks are manure (as has happened with too many people with cheap production flintlock guns). Your best approach is to save the money you have until you can buy what you want...

Well said :applause:

However people seem to have a knack for not listening to such advice that is given.

Thunderduck said:

So I will go to Dixons this week and see what they have in my price range to get me a good starting platform.

Click to expand...

This is the best advice you will probably get. Any excuse to go to Dixon's is reason enough and you will get valuable knowledge and recommendations from them to aid you in your quest. You may be surprised at what is available there.

Black Jack said:

Thunderduck said:

So I will go to Dixons this week and see what they have in my price range to get me a good starting platform.

Click to expand...

This is the best advice you will probably get. Any excuse to go to Dixon's is reason enough and you will get valuable knowledge and recommendations from them to aid you in your quest. You may be surprised at what is available there.

Click to expand...

Plus, while there he will be able to see and handle quality rifles. Once that happens there will be no settling for less.

Absolutely! That's the key, being able to compare quality to a run of the mill mass produced rifle. Once the difference is felt and seen waiting for a top notch offering turns out to be painless!

Flintlocks need to be high quality to be reliable and durable. That means you need to spend more.

I highly recommend Kiblers offerings. His kits are a snap to assemble into a fine but plain rifle. He even has a series of videos that a first timer could follow along with and do a bang up job on the first build.

Chambers also offers very fine kits. Can't go wrong with them.

I would never own a mass produced price point flint lock like Traditions, or Lyman. The locks are very poorly made and designed. The over all quality and design is not there. It would be an exercise in tail chasing and frustration.

A decent reliable plain flintlock rifle, ready to go, shroud cost over $1500. You will need to confirm a quality lock was used. Now, you could put a decent lock on a TC or Lyman. That will add $175 to the base price. You still have price point rifle but, with a decent lock.

If you really must keep to your budget, get a cap gun.

While you are correct, certainly one doesn't need to spend $1500 on a rifle. Case in point, as mentioned a Kibler rifle and you are set. :thumbsup:

"A decent reliable plain flintlock rifle, ready to go, shroud cost over $1500."

Ready to go, as vs a kit.

A skilled builder could rush through a Kibler in about 20 hours. Time costs. $25/hour is cheap.

I see poorly done long rifles on Track's site for more than that.

True, amazing how little words can skip right over the mind while reading.

Understandable price range for something completely ready.

Tracks... You are indeed right on that.

The Eastern Primitive rendevous is coming up 21 through 28 at slippery Rock Pa. Coopers lake park. If you could make it. There will be a lot of people there with flintlocks to talk to and many guns for sale. The sad fact is the average age for the NMRA is 70 and many people are no longer shooting and will have guns as well as camps for sale.I personally will be there as school master. :hmm: :hmm: