building a muzzleloader from a kit?

Mr. 16 gauge · #1 01-09-2009, 11:21 AM

Has anyone here ever done it? I am interested in building a long rifle (flintlock), but am wondering if this would just be lesson in frustration. What would you suggest for a first time build.....rifle? pistol? any information would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.....

Adam Helmer · #2 01-09-2009, 11:36 AM

Mr. 16 gauge,

In the 1980s I built 3 Pennsylvania .45 caliber percussion rifles from Sile kits. It was a learning experience for kits I bought on sale for $30.00 each. I made a few mistakes on kit #1, far fewer mistakes on kit #2 and rifle #3 was a beauty. Maybe I am just a slow learner. It was fun and I only kept gun #3.

Adam

buckhunter · #3 01-09-2009, 12:34 PM

Does CVA still sell kits. Remember a few being built some time back and they weren't bad.

LoneWolf · #4 01-09-2009, 02:26 PM

Back in the early 80s I built a 45cal Kentucky pistol from a CVA kit. I was only 18, but I had a blast building it. Used the gun for a couple of years, and like every stupid young punk, got lazy and didn't clean it right away one time after shooting. Ruined the rifling in the barrel so bad, you couldn't hit the same area twice at 10 yds

Still have the gun, its been disabled and my son has had it on "display" in his room for years.
I guess now that I think about it, I wouldn't mind making another one of these if they still do the kits. It would be a good project with my son.

Mr. 16 gauge · #5 01-09-2009, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Does CVA still sell kits.

Not only does CVA not sell kits, they don't even produce traditional muzzleloaders anymore! Glad to see that they finally got rid of the flintlock from their logo!

Most of the "Kits" that I have been looking at are anywhere from around $500-$900 bucks. I suppose I could check around and see if Ebay or places like that had some cheaper.
...Never heard of Sile before.

Adam Helmer · #6 01-09-2009, 08:24 PM

Mr. 16 gauge,

I think SILE is now extinct as far as kits go. Too bad they did not wait for the BAILOUT!

Adam

jplonghunter · #7 01-10-2009, 08:03 AM

Mr. 16 gauge

Jedidiah Starr is good source for ml kits. All styles and prices. Catalog with prices is on web. Good hunting.

jplonghunter

MtnMike2 · #8 01-14-2009, 01:47 PM

Mr 16 Gauge,
I'm building a muzzle loader from a kit. It's a Lyman Great Plains Rifle in .54 cal. It's a good replica of the Hawken without being too expensive. I think I paid about $384 for the kit. Mine is cap ignition but they are available in flint. I'm looking forward to the challenge. Plan to do the barrel in brown. It'll probably take me a lot longer than it should but I'm sure I'll be pleased with the results.

Mike

Adam Helmer · #9 01-14-2009, 03:22 PM

Mr. 16 gauge,

I think Cabela's offers rifle and pistol kits. I received a Cabela's catalog the other day, but cannot lay hands on it right now.

Adam

Catfish · #10 01-14-2009, 04:55 PM

A muzzle loader will only shoot as well as what you build it from. If you have no idea of how you will do, you might want to buy the cheapest kit you can find and see if you like putting them togather. If you know you like wood working and tinkering get a kit with top shelf parts. I never put a kit together, but did build a flint lock from parts I picked up around here and at Friendship. It was done with good quality parts and was a real shooter. I later changed it so I could use eather a flink or precusion lock. From what I have seen of kits there is very little fitting and mostly just putting a finish on them.