Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Muzzleloaders => Topic started by: Gordon on December 24, 2017, 02:44:01 pm
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For the last several months I have been building a flintlock rifle. These builds are very involved but I am finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. This will be an early plains flintlock rifle in .54 caliber. I hope to hunt elk with it next fall if I draw a tag.
(http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy217/gferlitsch/Early%20Plains%20Flintlock-1.jpg) (http://s793.photobucket.com/user/gferlitsch/media/Early%20Plains%20Flintlock-1.jpg.html)
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That is coming along nicely, Gordon. Which kit is it? Looking forward to seeing it finished.
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Hey Eddie, thank you. It is a Track of the Wolf early plains rifle kit. I will certainly post pictures when it is done - sometime in early Feb I hope.
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Looks good so far! That finish work takes a lot of time. Enjoy , and good shooting!
Hawkdancer
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Good job - lookin' good :OK ! Bob
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Did some work rounding the wrist and getting it to extend more into the stock. I think I'm about ready to put a finish on the stock. Here are some pics
(http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy217/gferlitsch/Early%20Plains%20Flintlock%204%20of%205.jpg) (http://s793.photobucket.com/user/gferlitsch/media/Early%20Plains%20Flintlock%204%20of%205.jpg.html)
(http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy217/gferlitsch/Early%20Plains%20Flintlock%205%20of%205.jpg) (http://s793.photobucket.com/user/gferlitsch/media/Early%20Plains%20Flintlock%205%20of%205.jpg.html)
(http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy217/gferlitsch/Early%20Plains%20Flintlock%201%20of%205.jpg) (http://s793.photobucket.com/user/gferlitsch/media/Early%20Plains%20Flintlock%201%20of%205.jpg.html)
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I like that a lot! It just screams tough mountain rifle! Good job, I'm going to do one like it in 58 or 62 soon.
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Thank you Mike. This rifle is indeed meant to hunt elk in the high mountains of NE Oregon.
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Finishing the stock on my flintlock rifle. After that, lots and lots of metal polishing.
(http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy217/gferlitsch/Early%20Plains%20Flintlock%208%20of%202_1.jpg) (http://s793.photobucket.com/user/gferlitsch/media/Early%20Plains%20Flintlock%208%20of%202_1.jpg.html)
(http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy217/gferlitsch/Early%20Plains%20Flintlock%207%20of%202.jpg) (http://s793.photobucket.com/user/gferlitsch/media/Early%20Plains%20Flintlock%207%20of%202.jpg.html)
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Gordon,
You don't want the metal polished too much that it glints!
Hawkdancer
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I agree! After polishing the metal I will either rust brown or oxidize it.
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Looks good. :OK
That stock has some good figure to it and the stain really made it "pop".
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Thank you Paul. It will show even more when I rub out the finish.
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Incredible work and beautiful piece of wood for the stock. I know the finished product will be a knock out and will kill that late season elk. Very nice work, Gordon but I'm not surprised. :OK
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Nice chunk of wood - it's going to be a looker :OK ! Bob
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Did my first barrel dovetail by hand today. Tolerances are measured by thousands of an inch so I was a little nervous because if I messed this step up it could trash the barrel. But it worked great. Next up is installing the rear sight.
(http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy217/gferlitsch/Flintlock%20Front%20Sight%201%20of%202.jpg) (http://s793.photobucket.com/user/gferlitsch/media/Flintlock%20Front%20Sight%201%20of%202.jpg.html)
(http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy217/gferlitsch/Flintlock%20Front%20Sight%202%20of%202.jpg) (http://s793.photobucket.com/user/gferlitsch/media/Flintlock%20Front%20Sight%202%20of%202.jpg.html)
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First off.Nice work on a nice gun.Ought to be a beautiful dependable gun for yourself.I replaced my front sight blade with that thin silver blade too on a barrel opposed to the wide coarse thick front blade.I think it's more accurate to be pin pointing your shot.
(https://i.imgur.com/NQskuuF.jpg)
I shoot a .54 too.A capper though and traditional.A Johnathon Browning Hawken.Rather boring walnut stock on it but still a deer slayer for sure.I put a 35" barrel on it though opposed to the 30" that came with it and glad I did.I think it's more accurate yet myself.Pretty sure it was a badger barrel from out of Montana.Could be wrong though.I've had the gun for close to 40 years.....lol.Seems you get a good shooting barrel you better hang on to it....lol.
Those 225 grain .52 call rounds are plenty to put em down.Thanks for sharing yours.
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That's a beautiful rifle and kit, Gordon. I had done the equivalent Lyman kit...but it's nothing like that.
There is a track of the wolf kit in my future...
Beautiful work.
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Your dovetail is pretty deep, no problem if you have a thick barrel which you have. Most dovetails are .050 and less. One thing to remember; after you cut your dovetail always file on your sight or lug to make it fit, never widen your dovetail as you can get it too wide in a heartbeat. I always keep spare sight and underlugs just in case I file one to a loose fit.
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Eric, in retrospect I agree that the dovetail is pretty deep. This sight came with the kit so I didn't think about that when I started cutting. When folks on another forum starting pointing out the same thing I went back and did some measurements and I think I'm okay as this is a rather thick walled barrel. I could have reduced the thickness of the sight base with a file, or separately ordered a sight with a thinner base but that is the kind of thing that can happen when you don't know better. I think your suggestion of filing the sight base to fit is a good one. I did not think of that but I went really slow and got it to fit nice and snug the first time - beginners luck I think, but I'll take it.
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That is looking very good! A fine rifle, Congratulations! When you get to he range, remember it may take quite a few shots to settle in and find it's groove! Keep yer powder dry and yer flints sharp!
Mike,
I think you would like the .58 in a flintlock. It packs a wallop with a round ball on top of 120 gr 2F! It is also fun with a 30-35 gr target load, it does use a lot of lead, though >:D!
Hawkdancer
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I did not think of that but I went really slow and got it to fit nice and snug the first time - beginners luck I think, but I'll take it.
Considering the meticulous craftsmanship you have exhibited for years, I am less than convinced this was luck.
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Cut the dovetail and installed the rear sight. I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out.
(http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy217/gferlitsch/Flintlock%20Rear%20Sight%201%20of%202.jpg) (http://s793.photobucket.com/user/gferlitsch/media/Flintlock%20Rear%20Sight%201%20of%202.jpg.html)
(http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy217/gferlitsch/Flintlock%20Rear%20Sight%202%20of%202.jpg) (http://s793.photobucket.com/user/gferlitsch/media/Flintlock%20Rear%20Sight%202%20of%202.jpg.html)
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I finished the rifle. Tomorrow I will shoot it for the first time and begin the process of sighting it in. I hope you enjoy the photos.
(http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy217/gferlitsch/Early%20Plains%20Flintlock%20Finished%204%20of%208_1.jpg) (http://s793.photobucket.com/user/gferlitsch/media/Early%20Plains%20Flintlock%20Finished%204%20of%208_1.jpg.html)
(http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy217/gferlitsch/Early%20Plains%20Flintlock%20Finished%203%20of%208.jpg) (http://s793.photobucket.com/user/gferlitsch/media/Early%20Plains%20Flintlock%20Finished%203%20of%208.jpg.html)
(http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy217/gferlitsch/Early%20Plains%20Flintlock%20Finished%206%20of%208.jpg) (http://s793.photobucket.com/user/gferlitsch/media/Early%20Plains%20Flintlock%20Finished%206%20of%208.jpg.html)
(http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy217/gferlitsch/Early%20Plains%20Flintlock%20Finished%202%20of%208.jpg) (http://s793.photobucket.com/user/gferlitsch/media/Early%20Plains%20Flintlock%20Finished%202%20of%208.jpg.html)
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Very nice Gordon. Looking forward to the hero shot with your quarry. :OK
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Thank you Pat!
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Well done Sir :OK ! Bob
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Nice, very good inletting especially the butt plate, butt plates give me fits.
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Nice job. :OK
That turned out very well, can't wait to see how well it shoots.
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Eric I agree, inletting the butt plate is a b*tch. The first gun I did it on I ended up with a mess. This time I took it slow and easy and was pretty happy with the end result.
I took the gun to the range this morning for it's inauguration and... it shoots! Ignition is fast and sure, and the rifle groups nicely at various powder charges. Next up I will sight the rifle in.
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That came out great! I love the character in the wood the stain brought out. Thanks for the build along.
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That is outstanding work! I would expect nothing less after following your how-to bow builds. I bet it will be a sweet shooter for you. I hope you have a successful elk hunt with it.
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A little black powder porn ;D
(http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy217/gferlitsch/Plains%20Flintlock%20Rifle%201%20of%201.jpg) (http://s793.photobucket.com/user/gferlitsch/media/Plains%20Flintlock%20Rifle%201%20of%201.jpg.html)
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Very nice! I just ordered a 58 caliber barrel with a gain twist to build one like it. Good job.
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Wow, that looks incredible. Nice work. What stain and finish did you use on the stock?
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That’s a beauty for sure! That last one is the perfect set up!
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Hey Ryan, I used a brown alcohol stain and Laurel Mountain finish on the stock. Thank you.