Traditions Kentucky kit build

[Kruzn]

New member here and new to muzzle loading.

A couple years back I bought a CVA Frontier Hunter in .54 for a really good flea market price. It is a beautiful gun and I finally got around to shooting it a couple weeks ago. It was a lot of fun and led me to pursue something I've been wanting to do for a very long time, and that is build a Kentucky rifle.

So, I had my LGS order me a .50 Traditions kit. I started on it after Christmas and have all of the wood and brass parts fitted. Still need to fit the barrel tenons and some more sanding on the stock before I can move to the finishing stage. I'm also thinking of making a custom brass plate to inlet on the left side of the stock opposite the lock. The plan is to engrave or etch something on the plate to add a little personalization.

So far the build has been a lot of fun. Looking forward to shooting the finished product!

 

[Tumbledown]

These are a great "blank canvas" to get creative with. I've done 3. They are also fantastic shooters.

 

[Reds]

Check out Faux maple or tiger striping. It’s done with wire and a propane torch to simulate fancy maple. I tried it when redoing a Cva mountain stalker and it came out great. I used laurel mountain forge products. Currently finishing an old Cva Kentucky in .45 that has the 2 piece stock like yours and am going to stripe it as well. Hope this helps! Reds

 

[TDM]

Your doing great. Just take your time and enjoy the process.

 

[Kruzn]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I'm not sure on the finish yet. Will stain and oil the stock, just undecided on the color.

One other idea rattling around my brain is to glass bead the brass and satin clear coat it instead of polishing. I have a blast cabinet and a buffer, so I can do either one. Just thinking maybe the satin look would be kinda cool and different. Here is a test I did on a piece of flat stock. The shiny part is stock finish, not polished. Also, I have not tried the clear coat yet.

 

[wiscoaster]

Your doing great. Just take your time and enjoy the process.

... and post plenty of pics!!

 

[yellowhammer]

Agree w/Tumbledown. I have a KY and a Shenandoah:

These 1/66 barrels shoot patched round balls very well. Better than my custom gun I paid 3X for.

 

[longcruise]

New member here and new to muzzle loading.

A couple years back I bought a CVA Frontier Hunter in .54 for a really good flea market price. It is a beautiful gun and I finally got around to shooting it a couple weeks ago. It was a lot of fun and led me to pursue something I've been wanting to do for a very long time, and that is build a Kentucky rifle.

So, I had my LGS order me a .50 Traditions kit. I started on it after Christmas and have all of the wood and brass parts fitted. Still need to fit the barrel tenons and some more sanding on the stock before I can move to the finishing stage. I'm also thinking of making a custom brass plate to inlet on the left side of the stock opposite the lock. The plan is to engrave or etch something on the plate to add a little personalization.

So far the build has been a lot of fun. Looking forward to shooting the finished product!

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You are doing very well . These are good shooters. In fact I've never known one not to be.

One comment. And it's hard for me to see on my phone, but it looks like you shaped the forend to match the nose cap only just behind the cap. It slims the rifle down nicely if the entire forestock is taken down to match the Muzzle cap. The cap can even stand to be taken down a bit.

 

[kyron4]

I did the flintlock version two years ago. Made for a great winter project. Learned so much along the way and turned out exactly as I was hoping it would. Many of us here have built these kits , so if you have any questions don't be afraid to ask. Can't wait to see the finished project.

 

[davidmc62]

Looking good so far, do a search here in the Forum for CVA / Traditions Kentucky rifle. You will see a lot of posts of what people have dome during their builds or re-builds.

 

[Kruzn]

Making progress. Have the stock mostly sanded. Barrel tenons and sights are fitted. Ramrod barrel screws fitted.

Now working on my idea for a custom inlaid brass plate on the left side of the stock. I made two patterns. One mimics the lock plate shape, the other is larger and designed 1/8" smaller than the outline of the flat area of the stock. The plate will be inlaid flush, a third retaining screw added, and screw holes countersunk. Still not sure which one I like better.

The plan is also to engrave or etch the plate with my name or initials and the build date. I think....

Any thoughts?

 

[TDM]

I’d opt for the smaller size if it were mine.

 

[SmokepoleSam]

I like the larger plate but it might look better if you try a template 3/16 or 1/4" smaller otherwise take some of the wood down on the smaller plate. It doesn,t look right with so much extra wood. It's looking good so far.

 

[yellowhammer]

Shot the Shenandoah today for the first time; essentially same barrel as yours. Expect good accuracy.

Kept best group to post in here:

(50 yds, .490 ball, red pillow tick, Muzzle Magic, 50 gr Goex 2F)

 

[Kruzn]

Not much progress over the last week, but I did finalize the custom plate design. Will be cutting it out and shaping today, then work on the inletting.

 

[yellowhammer]

Personally not a big fan of side plates on KY's, but it will be your own expression, which is what it's all about. Wiley Higgins was known for his plates and inlays:

 

[yellowhammer]

Another Higgins side plate:

And check out this one by Alfred Gross:

Okay, enough of my rambling, sorry for hijacking your thread. Yellowhammer out.

 

[Kruzn]

The brass side plate is cut, drilled & countersunk, and sanded. Will eventually be polished. Let the stock inletting begin!

 

[Kruzn]

Well....the inletting did not go quite like I wanted on the initial attempt. I found out that I am much better at fitting metal than I am wood. I cut out and finished the brass plate to match my pattern. Then I used the brass plate to trace onto the wood. That all worked well, but my carving skills are not the best so my inlet did not exactly match the brass plate (see first pic).

It was bothering me that the fit was not better. My wife says I am OCD and that nobody else would probably notice. BUT...I would! So, I finished out the inlet as best I could and than cut another brass plate and slowly worked it down until it fit the inlet MUCH better. Now I am happy!

The plate is a little inset from the outer surface of the stock, but I will sand that down to match the plate.

The first attempt. Too many uneven gaps:

First plate and rough cut 2nd plate:

Final plate fitted. Much better:

Now on to sanding and polishing tomorrow.

 

[DSmith]

Looks good.
you can do a lot of custom work with these kits.