Best US Made Kentucky Rifle?

Good morning. New member here. I'm looking for a Kentucky rifle, US made with US parts. I'm willing to pay for quality, but within reason. In your opinions, who makes the best US rifle? I don't have the time or resources to build my own, and have wanted one for years. Any expertise you can send my way would be greatly appreciated. I'd prefer flintlock but would also consider percussion. I appreciate your time and cooperation. Thank you!

Rod Gates in Cross Timbers, Missouri his phone number is in Muzzle Blast under field reps

That's a pretty vague set of parameters. 'Pay within reason' could be upwards of ten thousand or even more. What do you plan on using it for? If you have a style of rifle that you prefer there might be some that are better at that style than others, equal in art and craftsmanship, just better at a certain school of architecture than others. For people that love these guns but choose not to make them you are lucky to live in these times because there are dozens, if not hundreds of gunmakers out there, many at peace laboring in obscurity, turning out a quality of arm unknown in this country at the time of the long rifles golden age.
You should take some time and study out these rifles and figure out just what it is you like. In the long run it will save you some regrets and money. This might be a cheap investment with all things considered, these books can also be found used for a fraction of new. There are others, but this is a start. Good luck!!!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004DX76JI/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
Robby

Amazon will rip you off. Dixie gun works sells most any book you might need.Dont forget to check muzzle blasts

Don’t want to be picky here, but ‘Kentucky Rifle’ is a big umbrella. From early transitional rifles and American jagars of the 1730s 40s, to revolutionary, Golden age, ‘Virgina’ and ‘southern mountain style’ Ohio style and ‘Plain rifles’
Besides individual makers who turn out three or four guns a year there is Sitting Fox, Chambers,Tennessee Valley Rifles’ Caywood. And others.
Track Of The Wolf handles used guns, the prices run from 15-4000 dollars or more, many unfired or lightly used.
Many guns of the era were very plain, many were works of art. And a long long time from the 1740s in Pennsylvania to south Appalachia in the 1930s
So what are you looking for?

And "best" is vague as well. Best in what ways?

Longrifle NH said:

Good morning. New member here. I'm looking for a Kentucky rifle, US made with US parts. I'm willing to pay for quality, but within reason. In your opinions, who makes the best US rifle? I don't have the time or resources to build my own, and have wanted one for years. Any expertise you can send my way would be greatly appreciated. I'd prefer flintlock but would also consider percussion. I appreciate your time and cooperation. Thank you!

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I would take in a lot of information before I would buy a rifle. What you are going to do with it first. then that would tell me what caliber it would be. now what is your size. are you tall short very strong or average size and strength. I built a rifle many years ago to fit me at that time. Now it's a little much. I went down in size and so did my rifle. Think about this and iff possible go where there are rifles to touch and shoulder. With this infomation you can go to a custom builder and get not only what you need but what you want. Each of the good custom builders have a rep. they are proud of and I'm sure you'll get what your after.
I was at Dixie Gun Works in Union city Tn. yesterday and they still have on display several custom rifles including a swivel breach double barrel rifle. All looked beautiful and from what I could see the workmanship was outstanding. They also have over 100 rifles from the day back late 1700 early 1800's on display and I believe I saw price tags on some of them. A lot of them looked shoot able Maybe. On display is the double 4 bore he took elephant hunting. They also have several rifles and fuseil (to me shot guns) smooth bore guns. If I were going to spend a lot of money (to me anything form 2000 to 10000 is really a lot of green) I would take a little trip or to to get educated in this area of firearms.

Is the NH for New Hampshire? If so, there is a maker of swivel breech muzzleloaders somewhat near you. Extremely beautiful contemporary guns. Even if that's not what your'e looking for, a face to face with a very accomplished maker might be of great help to you.
https://davidpriceflintlocks.com
Robby

Check Track of the Wolf web site to get some ideas.

Also of note is where one is at with what one wants. Many guns are styled after a time, but not fully accurate copies.
Joe may be ok with a forearm, wrist or butt that’s too thick, Or a gun with too much or not enough curve to the toe. While Bob has to have a gun as close as possible except for a modren steel barrel, even to the extent of not wanting stock details off by 1/16 of an inch.
Details matter for price, but, just because it’s high priced doesn’t mean it’s the best copy. Some times parts can be miss matched on even the best made guns, and sometimes that matters and sometimes it doesn’t.
Do you have to have stock carving, that was very popular at one time and fell out of vogue later. Then carving could be miss timed.
To some folks it matters if the best produced carving is mid timed and some folks don’t give a hoot as long as it looks good.
99.9% of the time no one will notice if your guns out of time, but you will and you may or may not care.

Good evening and forgive me for being so vague in my original post. I'm looking for a rifle I can target shoot as well as hunt deer with. I live in NH. When I was a teenager I used to go with my dad and compete at the Fort Ticonderoga Muzzle Loading Shoot. I shot a percussion TC Hawkin .45. That was over 35 years ago. Now I'm looking for a Kentucky style long rifle with full tiger maple stock. Part art (but not a Van Gough) but also something I can put venison on the table with. Sexy but refined and utilitarian. My budget is in the $1500 - $2000 range and maybe that's a pipe dream. I work for a local firearms manufacturer and shoot a manure ton, but it's been a long time since I've soaked a patch with saliva and I'd really like to get back into it. Thanks again and have a great night!

How many years are you willing to wait? And does it have to be a "Kentucky" or will a good, traditional Pennsylvania Longrifle do?

(That is, do you have a specific "Kentucky" school of design in mind?)

In the past I have tried to hook up interested buyers with those who seemed to be good gunsmiths, but several of those failed for health, wealth or other reasons. So I no longer point someone to a "bargain" smith. I suggest you go down the list of links on the Jim Chamber's site and see who might assemble one of his kits for you. Have a specific pattern/design/period or style in mine to help them get where you want to be.

https://www.flintlocks.com/links2.htm

Tip Curtis will have what you need,american made and ready to go and in you price range. You will need to study up on different styles because you will need to know what style appeals to you. Barrel length, caliber, length of pull, brass or iron mounted there are a lot of variables. He doesn't have a website, call him, 615-654-4445. All his guns are made in his shop.

Longrifle NH said:

Good evening and forgive me for being so vague in my original post. I'm looking for a rifle I can target shoot as well as hunt deer with. I live in NH. When I was a teenager I used to go with my dad and compete at the Fort Ticonderoga Muzzle Loading Shoot. I shot a percussion TC Hawkin .45. That was over 35 years ago. Now I'm looking for a Kentucky style long rifle with full tiger maple stock. Part art (but not a Van Gough) but also something I can put venison on the table with. Sexy but refined and utilitarian. My budget is in the $1500 - $2000 range and maybe that's a pipe dream. I work for a local firearms manufacturer and shoot a manure ton, but it's been a long time since I've soaked a patch with saliva and I'd really like to get back into it. Thanks again and have a great night!

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You should look at SMR a inthe white kit can be bought it can be found in that price range you are looking for. You just have to sand and finish the wood and metal. Look on sitting fox web site and Track Of The Wolf. Also check out guns across America and Dixie Gun works. These will get you good solid shooters, not fancy in any way but workable. Discriminating general and loyalist arms have flint smoothbores that can put Bambi inthe freazer with out a problem. And can also bring ol Tom to the thanksgiving table and thumper for stew.

Considering the cost of parts alone are right at $1000 these days you won't get much of a decorated gun for $1500-$2000. You'll probably be best off with something from TVM or the like. Even they probably charge more than that for guns now.
You'll probably have a 1 to 3 year wait or more to have one built for you by a quality gunmaker. If the builder has a shorter wait time than that there is generally a reason why and it has something to do with the quality of his work.

I would suggest a Jim Kibler SMR kit. Go the extra fancy maple and if you don't want to finish it have Jim do it and it still would be in your price range.

Dave

I build quite a few guns each year, and I have one in my personal collection that I can sell you within your price range, or less. It is a Bean east Tennessee style. 45 GM barrel, 42", L&R flint early waterproof lock, curly ++ maple, iron hardware. Just send an email to [email protected] for more info, pictures.

8 BORE said:

Amazon will rip you off.

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Why in the world would you say something like that? Amazon is an amazing source for almost anything you would want, including books. I am selling one of mine right now. And, I have bought many books from Amazon. I rarely ever buy a book new since there are so many used ones offered at extremely low prices. I recently purchased three cookbooks for my wife. All were used. New prices ranged from $30.00 to $50.00 each. I got them for about $1.00 (yes, ONE dollar) each. With shipping I spent about $7.00 total. Personally, for myself, when looking for a book, on any subject, including ml'ing, Amazon is where I shop first.

You can take a look at the selection here as well to see what you might like. I have a Late Lancaster from here.

http://www.tennesseevalleymuzzleloading.com/