Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: Frawg on April 24, 2013, 10:48:57 pm

Title: Smoothbore
Post by: Frawg on April 24, 2013, 10:48:57 pm

I have a question for you smoothbore guys. I would love to get a smoothbore to do a little small game,turkey and maybe deer hunting. I have limited funds that I can spare for my hobbies so a fancy custom fowler is out. Where would be a good starting point to find reasonable priced good shape used ones. I know very little about smoothies, I was thinking something around probably 20ga bore size. Any info from the guys in the know would help me get started.
Thanks Matt

Title: Re: Smoothbore
Post by: mullet on April 24, 2013, 11:33:55 pm

There are not as many around as there used to be but you can still find some old, cheap trade gun smooth bores that were sent to Africa and sold by Dixie Gun Works in the 60's. I just shot a friends .41 a few weeks ago and it shoots fine.
  If you're a gun snob it isn't what you are looking for. ;)

Title: Re: Smoothbore
Post by: Frawg on April 24, 2013, 11:47:54 pm

I just want one to play around with to see if I even enjoy it enough. A gun snob I am not lol. Only thing I am picky about are divorce lawyers ;D
Matt

Title: Re: Smoothbore
Post by: JW_Halverson on April 25, 2013, 12:37:20 am

Tennessee Valley Manufacturing makes a good quality Tennessee Poor Boy fowler kit in .62 caliber (20 ga).  It's about as inexpensive as you can go before you start running into shoddy parts and dangerous situations. 

They also have options for .54, .50, and .41 caliber smoothbore. 

Title: Re: Smoothbore
Post by: Frawg on April 25, 2013, 12:58:19 am

Thanks for that info JW
Matt

Title: Re: Smoothbore
Post by: JW_Halverson on May 17, 2013, 02:54:56 am

Any luck in your search for a smoothie?

Title: Re: Smoothbore
Post by: Frawg on May 17, 2013, 12:49:48 pm

To be honest JW. I have had woman issues and have not had the desire or extra cash to pull the trigger on a purchase yet. I hope to have one by fall.
Matt

Title: Re: Smoothbore
Post by: Eric Krewson on May 17, 2013, 09:05:56 pm

Be aware that a kit from TVM is not what you think of as a kit like a TC or Lyman. You need to be pretty handy with chisels, scrapers, drilling and taping holes in metal and most of all, inletting parts into the wood.

We gun builders call TC kits assembly kits, TVM and others are parts kits, you need some advanced skills to put them together. The stock is pretty much shaped and inlets for parts are started but nothing is going into the stock until you do some serious final inletting and fitting.

Title: Re: Smoothbore
Post by: Frawg on May 17, 2013, 09:08:52 pm

Ty for that info Eric. My handiness with a chisel is not good, not good at all
Matt

Title: Re: Smoothbore
Post by: Matt G. on May 17, 2013, 09:12:09 pm

Google The Log Cabin Shop. Lots of muzzle loading supplies

Title: Re: Smoothbore
Post by: JW_Halverson on May 17, 2013, 11:53:44 pm

Randy and the boys at TVM do also offer the option of a finished gun "in the white" so that all you need to is final sanding and finishing of the wood, plus browning of the iron parts.

Hey Frawg, go search some of Eric's posts of his guns.  It will inspire you, to say the least!

Title: Re: Smoothbore
Post by: Frawg on May 18, 2013, 12:26:28 am

I have checked his post out and was blown away. I think I will just save up and find a finished rifle as a kit would be more than i would  be up for. Between the Attention span of a rat on acid and my lazy streak a finished rifle will be my best bet
Matt

Title: Re: Smoothbore
Post by: JW_Halverson on May 18, 2013, 01:00:58 am

Quote from: Frawg (scout76) on May 18, 2013, 12:26:28 am

Between the Attention span of a rat on acid and my lazy streak a finished rifle will be my best bet

Hey!  I resemble that remark!