What gun most commonly would have been used in Va around 1740 +/-

[Sudsy]

My distant grandfather, Lawrence Kelly, landed in the "New River" area (we think that refers to the James river) in 1740.
I'd like to build a gun that would be at least mostly similar to what he would have carried.

Looking around I've seen every caliber mentioned from .32 to .58, various lengths and shapes
I'm getting more confused the more I look.

I's like to make some adjustments towards modern shooting such as conical rifling rather than round ball if I go with a larger caliber, and double set triggers.

I've been digging around on the net, found the Jim Chambers Mark Silver Virginia Rifle
(circa 1750-1780) which is interesting. I've been told that it's "sorta" period correct.
Are there other options I might want to look at before buying this ??

https://www.flintlocks.com/rifles04.htm

 

[rchas]

New River runs through West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina; no where near the James. In Virginia it's south of Roanoke (which in the time period was known as Big Lick) and runs through the city of Radford. To be correct for the period you are considering, I would think about an early English trade gun known as a Bumford Gun, or Carolina Gun.

 

[rich pierce]

Agree with rchas. If you want a rifle this early it would also be an import and might be English, similar to the Turvey rifle. Conical bullets were not invented at that time. You’d need a custom barrel if you want to go that route.

Chambers has an early English sporting rifle kit. This would be for a plantation owner. Jim Chambers Flintlocks

 

[tenngun]

Mostly smooth and Dutch or English built. On average above 20 bore for militia duty

 

[david58]

Rifles, to my understanding, were rather uncommon at that time. A smoothbore would be most likely, I'd think.

David
NM

 

[Capt. Jas.]

A Germanic type rifle could also be an option as well as an English sporting type if you are really wanting a rifle, especially if your ancestor came down from the north. New River is quite a bit inland and would have been just as or more accessible from the Great Valley Rd. A good trading gun is a great option for a common and cheaper tool available in stores. If of a middling sort, an imported fowling piece in brass is a good option. See Jim Mullins' " Of Sorts for Provincials " for some good grade variations.