I’m thinking about getting another muzzleloader, I currently only have a percussion double barrel and I’m wanting a rifle. With that said my gunbuilding skills are not very good, I’ve built a kit gun in the past but had a lot of help from a career builder.
So you seem partial to shorter rifles but full stocked? Though you did mention Kibler.
If you don't have help from your builder buddy..., forget anything from The Rifle Shoppe. Those are parts that need a lot of building to complete.
A Kibler is a good choice, but you again may need help, but you can contact him and find out how much more cost for finishing the rifle "in-the-white". This is a fully fitted rifle, but you have to finish sanding and staining the wood, and you need to polish and finish the metal.
On the other hand, if you can find them in stock, a Cabela's Blue Ridge Hunter rifle in flint or percussion will work fine, and so will a shorter Lyman trade rifle or Great Plains rifle. Either one in .50 or .54 will work fine, and they are finished and ready to go right out of the box.
A Springfield rifle kit from Traditions in .58 might suit you.
A shorter 1863 Zouave from Traditions in .58 is also a possibility
Even shorter still would be a Pedersoli Jaeger in a kit, either percussion or flint. It's finished with all but the wood, but finding one in stock is a problem. It's a problem for everything.
LD
