Author Topic: Which Hawkins Kit?  (Read 1164 times)

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Offline savageT

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Which Hawkins Kit?
« on: December 27, 2003, 07:23:00 AM »
I've been thinking of a good winter project.  Since my current side- hammer muzzleloader is one of those bas*****ized Traditions with a 1:48 twist w/ breechplug, I want to try a caplock 1:60 twist Long Rifle or Hawkins.....don't know just yet.  What's available out there in a good quality kit that I can handle without a great deal of experience or a degree in Gunsmithing?  How 'bout an underhammer kit.....any out there?
savageT........Have you hugged a '99 lately?

Of all the things I've lost in my life, I miss my mind the most.

Offline clodbuster

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kit building
« Reply #1 on: December 27, 2003, 11:10:44 AM »
Haven't done one myself but I hear lots of good about the Lyman Great Plains Rifle as to overall quality and authenticity.  I built an underhammer
Hopkins and Allen kit recently.  There isn't any inletting just shaping and finishing.  The barrel was rough and requires smoothing and finishing.  I did it with Thunder Mountain cold browning and it came out great.  Those U-H's are great round ball shooters (1 in 66)and so elegantly simple.  Nothing to break!  Quick ignition!  Accurate!  Available many places in 36, 45, 50 cal.
A long time ago I built a TC Renegade and it's still my favorite.  I shoot rould ball and bullets well and the wood is beautiful and getting better.
Preserve the Loess Hills!!!

Offline RCL

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Which Hawkins Kit?
« Reply #2 on: December 27, 2003, 12:03:54 PM »
Savage, both of the outfits below look like they have some nice kits, not cheap, but good parts.




http://www.longrifles-pr.com/
http://www.trackofthewolf.com/index.aspx?id=
Robert Leggett
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Offline swecology

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Which Hawkens Kit?
« Reply #3 on: December 27, 2003, 01:27:33 PM »
Savage T,

I'm working on a Great Plains Rifle with a 1 in 60" twist, 50 cal. right now.  I'll let you know how it goes...

Offline Triple Se7en

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Offline Grump

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Which Hawkins Kit?
« Reply #5 on: December 27, 2003, 02:27:43 PM »
Clodbuster, Witch caliber of underhammer did you get?What is the barrel diameter?Long or short barrel? Been doing some research the last couple of days and I think I'm ready to try a underhammer kit.

Offline clodbuster

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U-H Kit
« Reply #6 on: December 28, 2003, 04:11:44 AM »
Grump
I love my ugly rifle.  It's a .36 in 36" barrel. The diameter is 7/8.  I got it through Bluegrouse.com and he helped  assembly quite a bit with his experience.
The wood is very hard maple and doesn't take regular stain to any great extent, therefore I'd recommend the use of the chemical reaction stains if you want dark wood.  The quality of the kit parts was good and assemble is nothing to worry about.  Only seven or so parts that make the gun work.  It shoots very well inspite of the too slow twist for 36 cal (1in 66)
All these kits use the same 1 in 66 twist but custom barrels are availble.
Good luck!
Preserve the Loess Hills!!!

Offline Grump

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Which Hawkins Kit?
« Reply #7 on: December 28, 2003, 07:17:31 AM »
Clodbuster,
The Blue grouse site is very informative. Many different ways a guy could go. I will have to give Bruce a call and get my winter project in the mail. Have you shot any bullets out of your .36? How did it pattern? I was thinking of getting the .45(dont have one of those yet). The barrel interchange it what I am mostly curios about. I think I will try one of his H&A kits and see how it goes. Green Mountain has a 3/4" dia. 32 cal barrel that might be a good match up with a underhammer action. I think it would be a excelent light weight plinker.Thanks for the reply!

Offline savageT

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Re: U-H Kit
« Reply #8 on: December 28, 2003, 10:14:09 AM »
Quote from: clodbuster
Grump
I love my ugly rifle.  It's a .36 in 36" barrel. The diameter is 7/8.  I got it through Bluegrouse.com and he helped  assembly quite a bit with his experience.
The wood is very hard maple and doesn't take regular stain to any great extent, therefore I'd recommend the use of the chemical reaction stains if you want dark wood.  The quality of the kit parts was good and assemble is nothing to worry about.  Only seven or so parts that make the gun work.  It shoots very well inspite of the too slow twist for 36 cal (1in 66)
All these kits use the same 1 in 66 twist but custom barrels are availble.
Good luck!


clodbuster,
I was not able to get a "hit" on "Blue Grouse.com"  Do you have another site address?

Jim
savageT........Have you hugged a '99 lately?

Of all the things I've lost in my life, I miss my mind the most.

Offline Ramrod

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Which Hawkins Kit?
« Reply #9 on: December 28, 2003, 11:42:54 AM »
SavageT,
The Bluegrouse site appears to be defunct or they moved, I can't find it either. Run by a fella named Bruce Lingenfelter, if I remember correctly. Here is a site that sells ready to finish underhammers, I have never dealt with them myself, but it seems the Deer Creek guns are the old Hopkins and Allen guns, same as Mr. Lingenfelter used to peddle on his site.

http://www.angelfire.com/biz/unioncreek/rifles.html


ramrod
"Jesus died for somebody's sins, but not mine." Patti Smith

Offline Grump

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Which Hawkins Kit?
« Reply #10 on: December 28, 2003, 02:47:47 PM »
Blue grouse is still alive and well.Try www.muzzleloader.biz  There is also a link to his old site that has alot of good info.

Offline Triple Se7en

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Which Hawkins Kit?
« Reply #11 on: December 28, 2003, 03:31:45 PM »
Another option for the Hopkins & Allen

http://thunder-ridge-muzzleloading.com/deer_creek.htm
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Offline Super Rat

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Which Hawkins Kit?
« Reply #12 on: December 29, 2003, 06:03:00 AM »
The Pedersoli kits are good. I did a Brown bess about a year ago and it was pretty much sand, stain, and assemble. The gun it's self it top quality.
Brown Bess .75 calibre carbine, .62 calibre Jaeger, .58 Calibre slug gun.