Sitting Fox rifles how are they?

[Farren55]

looking into getting a sitting fox Jaeger (either Germanic or Rustic) and I'm wondering how is the quality on those beauties, and how they compare to the cost they have.

Thanks!

 

[wayne terry]

Not really up to date on sitting fox but Tennessee Valley Muzzleloaders makes a fine one, .32 to .58 cals and siler locks, anyway the Jaeger is a good choice which ever way ya go, enjoy.

 

[Spikebuck]

This topic has been discussed many many times here. I would recommend you go to the Advanced Search function, type in "Sitting Fox" and select to search the titles only. You'll get a list of many, many conversations on this.

Happy reading!

 

[Rifleman1776]

Do as Spikebuck suggested.
Sitting Fox does not make his own rifles, he brokers out the work to others. Caveat Emptor.

 

[Doug Lykins]

I have never had any direct dealings w/ Sitting Fox but I've owned one of their rifles. I traded with a man in Michigan for it. This somewhat Jaeger-ish looking gun was real clubby looking but maybe that's what the owner wanted. I took a rasp to it and refinished. It did shoot well.

 

[Farren55]

That looks like their Transitional Jager! lovely looking gun, and it makes me want one more...

 

[Doug Lykins]

Actually it was a little too chunky or bloated for me, this pic is the same rifle a few months later after a re-shape, refinish.

 

[Mickc01]

Ditto for doing the advanced search. I related my experience on another tread very recently....Mick C

 

[jeremiah ingraham]

This topic is on page 2 in the Flintlock Rifles section of the forum(at least for me).
http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/295528/

If you can't find it the above link should work.
Hope this helps.

 

[AZbpBurner]

I ordered a Fusil de Chasse kit from Sitting Fox. It is practically identical to the TotW kit, but better price. The wood is a nice walnut with some striping.

My only complaint is that the barrel came with slotted lugs (to use with wedges) and the plan calls for solid lugs to drill for pins.

When I questioned this, Ray told me it was to allow for expansion while shooting. BS answer in anyone's book, and I was put off by his failure to even offer to make it right - of course mailing the barrel to get 3 - $2 lugs replaced would have been kinda pricey, so I'll just do it myself. I was looking for a shortcut & it didn't work out. With that in mind, I'd think twice about giving him any more of my business, nor recommending him. Guess it's luck of the draw.

 

[Grenadier1758]

Actually Ray has a point about using a slotted lug to allow for the expansion of the wood in the stock due to humidity changes and weather changes as well as expansion of the barrel as it heats up during repeated firing. Now you may not have much change in humidity or normal temperature in Arizona, but the barrel will heat up.

That said, I agree that he should have used a solid lug drilled for pins with a slight elongation parallel to the barrel to deal with the expansion. That's the common practice among the builders that I consult. Admittedly they mostly build guns in their basement, but they also place highly in national matches so I tend to listen to them.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Much more better. :wink: :thumbsup:
Nice job.

 

[Pete G]

Sitting Fox does not build rifles. He supplies his kits to various builders scattered throughout the country. His deal is that if you build two rifles for him he will supply a third kit to you at no charge. Depending on who actually built the rifle you may get a really good one or you may not. Either way you should get a good serviceable rifle for the money, its just that some builds are better than some others.

Incidentally, the underlugs should be slotted, even for pins. As the barrel heats up it will elongated and if the lugs are not slotted the forestock will start to pull on the barrel, usually causing vertical stringing.