Author Topic: My Southern Mountain Rifle (Read 2736 times)

AtlLaw · « **on:** February 13, 2010, 04:27:44 AM »

Second or third try...

I'll give you the short version...

This was the first BP rifle I put together. It's still my main BP hunting rifle. Cherry stock

Hairtrigger · « **Reply #1 on:** February 13, 2010, 04:30:11 AM »

Very nice

lonewolf5348 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 13, 2010, 11:32:17 AM »

looks great

DennyRoark · « **Reply #3 on:** February 13, 2010, 02:57:42 PM »

Sweet! I always liked that style of rifle. Some details? Caliber? Barrel length? That's some good looking wood!

AtlLaw · « **Reply #4 on:** February 13, 2010, 05:04:09 PM »

Quote from: DennyRoark on February 13, 2010, 02:57:42 PM

Some details?

Well, since you ask!

I kept track of the time and money I put in that rifle, as I remember, and it's been a good while, it was around 250 hours and $400 to complete it. A lot of time, but it was my first and that includes making jigs, scrapers, chisels and such. I took my time.

The barrel is a 42 inch Green Mountain 50 Cal. The stock was a semi shaped blank from Track of the Wolf and the lock is an L&R. All the accourterments are iron (steel). Heck, I spent an hour or so just fitting the tip on the hickory ram rod!

I learned a whole lot putting that rifle together; I won't say building it since I didn't make any of the parts. And, I can tell you every flaw in workmanship in the rifle!

But I won't!

Everyone that likes to shoot traditional BP rifles should put together at least one from scratch. Right now I've got another in progress and several more in my mind. Another example of to many projects and to little time... $:-\$ AIN'T IT GRAND!!!

DennyRoark · « **Reply #5 on:** February 14, 2010, 03:28:01 AM »

wish I had that talent. My first Hawken was a challenge. Back when I got it, the barrel came right off the Bridgeport into the box and the stock was only a little more than semi inletted and only sanded to fit the brass. I had nearly 50 hours just drawfiling the barrel. Don't tell anyone about the flaws, 99% of the people won't see them and the other 1% probably have some in theirs too! I just found a company that makes a "more" period correct Hawken stock that uses T/C barrel, lock and trigger (only so much you can do with that, tho) and when I finally get my forever job, I'm converting! Have to go to The Track for the butt, trigger guard, nosecap and I'm going the iron route as well. Thanks for the pics, would love to see more of that wood. Figured cherry makes a beautiful stock, and it doesn't move much with the weather.

Skunk · « **Reply #6 on:** February 14, 2010, 03:35:21 AM »

Awesome!!

necchi · « **Reply #7 on:** February 14, 2010, 06:17:30 AM »

Nice job,

"Everyone that likes to shoot traditional BP rifles should put together at least one from scratch."

You really said alot there,,the knowledge gained from the time taken to do just one right is priceless. Give's you a whole new appreciation for yourself,,specially' when yer visiting with the local smith, and some guy brings a rifle in just to mount a swivel stud,,

Thank's fer the photo of the barrel end,,Very nice job! used all 42"s,Wow! Nice position of the rear sight, Smart, I'll bet that really helps.

simonkenton · « **Reply #8 on:** February 17, 2010, 02:35:39 AM »

Nice looking rifle!

Back in the eighties I built a Tennessee Mountain Rifle from a Dixie kit.
It was made by Miroku of Japan. First thing I did was file Miroku Japan off the barrel.

This was a very well made kit, cost about $400. Had a Japanese cherry wood stock.
I had to inlet the lock.
I didn't like the grease hole, so I installed a nice silver patch box.
The gun came out real well and I have killed 3 deer with it.

AtlLaw · « **Reply #9 on:** February 17, 2010, 07:30:02 AM »

Quote from: simonkenton on February 17, 2010, 02:35:39 AM

I didn't like the grease hole, so I installed a nice silver patch box.

I know what you mean! I don't like grease holes either so I got a nice bananna style patch box for this rifle. But, BP deer season was fast approaching so I finished it without the patch box. After all these years I never have gotten around to putting it in!

simonkenton · « **Reply #10 on:** February 17, 2010, 07:32:09 AM »

Yeah, I figured if some hard-core guy got on me, and said, "You're supposed to have a grease hole," then I would say "I am just across the state line, this is a North Carolina Mountain Rifle and we like patch boxes!

AtlLaw · « **Reply #11 on:** February 17, 2010, 08:07:51 AM »

Yup, there are the "purists" in any endevor. $:-\$ When it comes to BP rifles I have, in some respects, kind of evolved into one myself.

Back when I was planning this rifle I selected a general style but picked the parts based on what looked good to me; and had a good time doing it!

Now, a few decades later, I am more apt to pick an actual style and stay within the confines of that school. i.e. no Hawkin designed parts on a Po Boy So. Mtn. Rifle!

Or, as is the case with a little .32 cal. flintlock I've been working on for the last 15 - 16 years

, I may take measurements and pictures of an existing rifle that strikes my fancy and try to make something like it.

Heck! I always figgered you can do whatever you want as long as it don't hurt noone else none!

Like the perfect BP huinting rifle I designed whilst sittin in a tree for 10 - 12 hours one day. Basically it would have a 28 inch .54 cal fast twist barrel for shooting conicals, a Hawkin style hooked breach, lock and tang, a peep sight, Leman Style half stock with a shotgun butt and all browned iron accouterments.

Now you got to realize this was before all these in-line, sabot shootin BP rifles got popular, but I still don't think my design would change any... $:-\$ It still sounds perfect for me!

coyotejoe · « **Reply #12 on:** February 19, 2010, 09:52:18 AM »

I know what you mean. I've designed a few "perfect" rifles myself and even built or bought a few of them but it seems they never were quite perfect. I think that's a good thing since you then get to try something else.

Lon371 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 19, 2010, 11:22:38 AM »

I don't get it. I seen one of them kits at wallymart. Looked like a snap together.

Gotcha! That is a sweet looking rifle. I am just to lazy to do it the right way

So I guess I wont be having one anytime soon. Maybe when I grow up.

One question though. I have always wondered how they recoil. It just looks like the angle on the stock would make it jump a bunch.

Nice job

Lonny

AtlLaw · « **Reply #14 on:** February 19, 2010, 03:37:06 PM »

Hey Lonnie,

Quote from: Lon371 on February 19, 2010, 11:22:38 AM

I seen one of them kits at wallymart.

Ha ha ...

Believe me, I've heard that before. First thing people say, after how good it looks, is "where did you get the kit?"

Quote

I have always wondered how they recoil. It just looks like the angle on the stock would make it jump a bunch.

Well, remember that this style firearm is fired off the bicep. That's why the stocks are usually longer and have more drop at heel. My cheek falls naturally on the stock and the sights... what I can see of them with my old eyes,

line right up. Recoil with a RB and 80 gr. of BP is very mild to me. But then there are a lot of girly men out there...

I did want to appologise for the pictures. It's dark in the man cave and I haven't really figured out the finer points of close up photography...

deadrabbit · « **Reply #15 on:** February 19, 2010, 04:53:55 PM »

Thats a great looking gun!

Ive had many gun building ideas, usually while I'm paging thru the websites, then I add up the cost and CVA's look better (or should I say cheaper!) , LOL I did build an old pistol kit in the 70's. Not very pretty but functional.

Someday soon I'll bite the bullet and build a barrel for one of my T/C's.

Thanks for sharing your gun building experiences and ideas!

rzwieg · « **Reply #16 on:** February 20, 2010, 06:54:28 PM »

That's good work.

Rangr44 · « **Reply #17 on:** February 25, 2010, 02:39:53 PM »

[it would have a 28 inch .54 cal fast twist barrel for shooting conicals, a Hawkin style hooked breach, lock and tang, a peep sight, Leman Style half stock with a shotgun butt and all browned iron accouterments.]

Except for the twist, that sounds a lot like my .54 Renegade.

.

Semisane · « **Reply #18 on:** February 25, 2010, 05:26:50 PM »

Quote

Except for the twist, that sounds a lot like my .54 Renegade.

Right on Ranger. I've never seen any sense in a .54 for conicals or sabots. A .50 does it more efficiently with pretty much the same weight range of bullets. Now round balls? - the .54 is king.

Huntsman1 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 26, 2010, 03:40:05 AM »

WOW, Nice!!! And here I thought I spent alot of time on my Lyman GPR kit gun lol.
You sure got some talent(and patience), Good for you!!

The Hermit · « **Reply #20 on:** February 28, 2010, 02:53:40 PM »

Nice job, AtLaw. I Know it feels great to hold something in your hand that you made your self. Don't be concerned with any cosmetic differences as that adds character to the piece. To me it has more value than a mass produced $ 1K rifle. It will have special value to some future family member that inherits it.
Enjoy.

The Hermit