Author Topic: Traditions Kentucky Rifle Kit? (Read 2524 times)

woodchuckssuck · « **on:** December 26, 2012, 06:07:25 PM »

Has anyone built up a Traditions Kentucky Rifle Kit?

Not looking for the best gun ever, but I enjoy building things, I want a BP firearm again, and They seem to at least get good accuracy. I don't want fancy, either. I found one for $260 somewhere, that I could order.

Any suggestions? Yes I am looking to build a BP rifle over the winter. Well, assemble and finish is the proper wording.

Coppertop · « **Reply #1 on:** December 27, 2012, 04:24:06 PM »

I just received a kentucky pistol kit today- I would like to have seen a parts list with it but am very excited about putting it together with my significant other.

Ranger99 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 27, 2012, 04:35:37 PM »

i've done several kits of different
makes (not a tr kentucky) and
enjoyed building, shooting, and
hunting with them.
good luck with them
go slow and take your time and
use great care in your build and
you'll be ordering another before
you realize it.

GEMSTATE · « **Reply #3 on:** December 27, 2012, 04:44:46 PM »

I put one of the kits together in the 80's when CVA sold them. They appear to be the same as the Traditions kits are today. The only thing I don't like is the breech plug is not removable for cleaning but hopefully thats changed.

Ranger99 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 27, 2012, 04:50:31 PM »

as far as i know, they are the same
except they're .50 cal instead of .45
like they were way back when.
i've never had a b/p gun with a removable
breechplug, but that's never stopped me
or slowed me up in my cleaning chore.
it's a non-issue. just clean from the front.
never had the oft quoted "muzzle wear"
issue either.

GEMSTATE · « **Reply #5 on:** December 27, 2012, 05:24:41 PM »

You're right Ranger. It's just one of those cleaning things that jam my fingers into the barrel when I'm expecting the rod to go through the breech

RevGeo · « **Reply #6 on:** December 28, 2012, 05:06:41 AM »

I just finished building a Traditions .50 Hawken kit. Good stuff, not bad wood, shoots fine with round balls and conicals, considering the 1-48" twist.
I built one of the CVA .45 Kentucky kits back in the '70s. It was a caplock and I changed it to a flinter after about two years. Thats another one I wish I hadn't let get away.
These things are a great winter project. Just take your time and pay attention to the details.

woodchuckssuck · « **Reply #7 on:** December 28, 2012, 12:35:58 PM »

Sounds like it might be a go, then! I am debating between the Hawken and the Kentucky right now. Hawken is more my style but cost $90 more, which is a LOT of lead balls, patches and powder, and the Kentucky looks nice still anyway!

I have used cold blue before and, while time consuming, even the cheap Birchwood Casey Perma Blue works pretty decent. Almost considering doing a plum brown finish though, since it IS blackpowder (looks nicer, to me).

For $260 plus shipping, I can have a nice lil shooter. I plan on using only patched balls, they were enough 200 years ago, they are enough today. I really only want it to shoot. And I love projects

Ranger99 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 28, 2012, 12:41:32 PM »

you might try blue first, degrease again, then
the brown on top of that.
i did a pistol that way once and it turned out
pretty good.
with any finish, blueing or brown, prep is the
key. the more time you spend on it the better
your results will be. (same on your stock finish)
and use acetone for degreasing.
doesn't leave any film like some carb cleaners
and the like.

dustyr · « **Reply #9 on:** December 28, 2012, 01:35:10 PM »

I've built several of the Traditions kits :

Kentucky (3 percussion, 1 flintlock)
Shenandoah
Hawken
"Pirate Pistol" (flintlock)
Mini Napolean III canon

All came out great and shoot just as well. Just take your time - if you run into any problems, they have great customer service or you can PM me.

A word of advice . . . order your kit thru Deer Creek Products. Their prices are better than Traditions itself and you will get it a heck of a lot faster.

woodchuckssuck · « **Reply #10 on:** December 29, 2012, 04:02:51 AM »

dustyr,

Sounds like, from your experience, the Traditions is a good place to start!

I have run into a slight problem: I can't find one in stock anywhere. Dixie is out, Cabela's is out, Sportsmansguide is out, bass pro, gander mountain, etc all out! Gander mountain even has them on sale for $245...figures. I looked up "deer creek products" only to stumble upon a lot of bad reviews claiming scams.

I might just order direct from traditions. I am in no hurry. Looks like it is going to be a long winter

I may also order from Sportsmansguide and let it be on backorder (they claim only Jan 4th, not long). Have yet to decide...

Then I gotta find lead round balls, patches, cleaner, and a real ramrod... I have #10 caps and some pyrodex P (I know most use FFg for rifles, but I read it will work fine if you load lighter).

Swampman · « **Reply #11 on:** December 29, 2012, 04:27:11 AM »

Quote from: GEMSTATE on December 27, 2012, 04:44:46 PM

I put one of the kits together in the 80's when CVA sold them. They appear to be the same as the Traditions kits are today. The only thing I don't like is the breech plug is not removable for cleaning but hopefully thats changed.

The breech plug should never be removed in a traditional styled rifle.

RevGeo · « **Reply #12 on:** December 29, 2012, 05:18:29 AM »

The only thing I don't like about the Traditions Hawken are the adjustable plastic sights. I don't mind them being adjustable, but I feel the plastic is a little tacky on something called 'Traditions'.
So, I guess I'll start looking around for some steel m/l sights. It would be cool to find and fit some sort of old style peep sight on the thing - my old eyes focus better with a peep than the regular open sights. Any ideas?

Swampman · « **Reply #13 on:** December 29, 2012, 05:39:01 AM »

Track of the Wolf may have some traditional sights that will fit.

woodchuckssuck · « **Reply #14 on:** December 29, 2012, 06:08:00 AM »

I think I am still set on the kentucky rifle. I like the long barrel, long sight plane (steel/brass sights from what I can tell), and 1 in 66" twist for patched round ball, which is all I care to shoot (just paper for now). I also like the full stock, just looks more traditional to me (well 2-piece full stock...)

Now the search for "in stock" continues...

tacklebury · « **Reply #15 on:** December 29, 2012, 07:05:11 AM »

You might try Williams Muzzle loader sights which are about $40 and they have one for CVA octagons. It is my understanding that it works with Traditions as well.

http://www.williamsgunsight.com/gunsights/muzzle.htm
Scroll down to item #66653 and there is a picture here of what they look like on an octagon barrel: http://www.williamsgunsight.com/gunsights/image_k2.htm

Mike in Virginia · « **Reply #16 on:** December 29, 2012, 08:43:40 AM »

Isn't that the one with the 2-piece stock? You might want your KY or PA rifle to be more authentic. That said, I've heard nothing bad about the quality of Traditions stuff.

woodchuckssuck · « **Reply #17 on:** December 29, 2012, 09:25:02 AM »

Yup, 2-piece stock. It really doesn't bother me any... The brass spacer actually adds a little, in my eyes. Its not walnut anyway, so I don't care too much about the looks

Swampman · « **Reply #18 on:** December 29, 2012, 09:29:30 AM »

I've wanted to try leaving the brass spacers out. Epoxy and those steel pins would be enough.

woodchuckssuck · « **Reply #19 on:** December 29, 2012, 12:02:19 PM »

Well, I went and ordered it through Sportsmansguide (always good luck with them). $280 shipped. It is on backorder, they expect it in January 4th. I could probably go to the local shop and buy an already assembled and ready to shoot traditions hawken (used) for that price, but...I need a winter firearm project

What have you who have built the traditions kits (beech/birch by the looks of it) used for stain? A specific stain would be nice, as would pictures of that stain... I usually use Minwax Antique Oil Finish for stock refinishing. It can be anywhere from satin to gloss if you have the time.

Thanks! This is going to be fun, especially when I get to finally fire that first shot

Swampman · « **Reply #20 on:** December 29, 2012, 12:35:02 PM »

http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/392/2/LMF-STAIN-W

Would be my choice.

Ranger99 · « **Reply #21 on:** December 29, 2012, 03:38:53 PM »

that's good stuff.
it's costly, but the quality is there.

woodchuckssuck · « **Reply #22 on:** January 05, 2013, 07:51:28 AM »

Well sportsmansguide had a LONG delay in their backorder date, so basically I would not have been able to get the rifle kit until sometime in february, a bit late to start a "winter project" that I was hoping to have done by march, when it tends to warm up here enough to shoot.

So I am either going to search for one this weekend out and about, or I might order a Lyman Great Plains .50cal percussion kit, since they seem to be a far nicer gun, with much nicer wood. I wanted a project to start NOW lol (boredom setting in).

I like the looks of the traditions kentucky rifle, so I will try to find a kit if I can. Just not sure when I will be able to find one or IF. I also like the low cost for my first build

quickdtoo · « **Reply #23 on:** January 05, 2013, 10:07:57 AM »

Traditions lists a caplock kit on their website for $289, they don't list inventory tho, you might find out if you call or email them.

Tim

http://www.traditionsfirearms.com/product_info.php?products_id=99&osCsid=32050a1cb82db305e7b63b8183cb8d83

860-388-4656

info@traditionsfirearms.com

Winter Hawk · « **Reply #24 on:** January 05, 2013, 05:43:38 PM »

Quote from: woodchuckssuck on December 29, 2012, 04:02:51 AM

I looked up "deer creek products" only to stumble upon a lot of bad reviews claiming scams.

That would not be the Deer Creek Products you want. As far as I know, they have never been on the Internet. It's a mom & pop operation out of Waldron, Indiana and they will do you right. I have been getting stuff from them for eleven years now and have no complaints at all. Get one of their own barrels if you can, they are probably as good as Green Mountain. Phone number is 765-525-6181.

The rip-off Deer Creek Products is in Florida. Hey, be patient with these folks. I think they are past retirement age but don't have the finances to do so...

-Kees-

woodchuckssuck · « **Reply #25 on:** January 05, 2013, 08:02:02 PM »

I found a really good price on the Lyman Great Plains Rifle kit. $381....

I might go for it. Nicer wood, easier barrel removal to keep it clean...likely better prepped.

The wood alone will make up for the $100 difference, Walnut over Birch! Still thinking about it, but pretty sure I will get the Lyman. Seems a better gun.

Swampman · « **Reply #26 on:** January 06, 2013, 03:44:29 AM »

It's a much better product and the final outcome will be much nicer.

woodchuckssuck · « **Reply #27 on:** January 06, 2013, 05:45:25 AM »

Agreed, Swampman. I ordered the Lyman GPR kit

I figure: I am going to put in the effort to make it look as good as I can, why not start with a kit that has better wood, and just a better quality overall? Was not even $400 with shipping, so I feel a good deal still, since most places are charging $440+ shipping.

Now to decide which cold bluing product to use... Not much a fan of the brown look myself. I'm open to suggestions there.

Swampman · « **Reply #28 on:** January 06, 2013, 06:29:11 AM »

My favorite look is to cold blue and then steel wool most of it off. It gives a nice looking old timey patina. You may need to do it 2 or 3 times. Few if any original guns were browned. They were either rust blued or left in the white.

BE Wild Willy · « **Reply #29 on:** January 09, 2013, 02:41:34 PM »

Quote from: woodchuckssuck on January 06, 2013, 05:45:25 AM

[size=78%]Now to decide which cold bluing product to use... Not much a fan of the brown look myself. I'm open to suggestions there.[/size]

I believe this to be the best cold blue on the market
http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/metal-prep-coloring/metal-bluing/liquid-cold-bluing-chemicals/oxpho-blue-reg--prod1072.aspx

My local Cabelas has it on the shelf too.