Guys,
Being the proud patriot that I am (me - AF vet, dad - one of Patton's infantrymen, Great-great-6x-grandfather fought in the Revolution) I got taken in by the NRA's "Riflemen in the Revolution" article and now I want a Pennsylvania / Kentucky long rifle. They are, after all, emblematic of liberty itself, are they not? 8~)
Although flintlocks LOOK really cool, I might defer to modern convenience and go with a percussion lock, and limit barrel length to 32 inches or so. Anyway, beings that I am a bolt-action accuracy nut, I want something reasonably accurate. Also want double-set triggers. Beings that I am also a cheapskate to the core, I want something versatile. The Kentucky rifles (complete and kit) I generally see listed (.45 and .50 caliber) have 1 turn in 60 to 70 inches, for accuracy with round balls. Traditional-looking rifles intended for hunting (like the Lyman Great Plains Hunter) have 1 turn in 32 inches, for accuracy with modern saboted spitzer bullets. Is there a twist rate that gives decent accuracy with both round balls (cheap practice) and conical bullets (potential hunting), like about 1 in 48? Suggestions? Get two barrels with different twist rates? Are tangs similar enough to be able to do that?
Also, I'm a woodworker, so I was thinking of making my own stock. I'm just not won over by the plain wood I see in the $250 kits. Maybe practice with a plain piece of hardwood, then do the "real thing" with a piece of curly maple or flame birch. Any of you guys ever tried this? Suggestions?
I'd like to end up with a full-stocked longrifle with decent figure in the wood that I can use for target practice and muzzleloading deer hunting. I would be in your debt for any advice.
Thanks,
Crunch
Being the proud patriot that I am (me - AF vet, dad - one of Patton's infantrymen, Great-great-6x-grandfather fought in the Revolution) I got taken in by the NRA's "Riflemen in the Revolution" article and now I want a Pennsylvania / Kentucky long rifle. They are, after all, emblematic of liberty itself, are they not? 8~)
Although flintlocks LOOK really cool, I might defer to modern convenience and go with a percussion lock, and limit barrel length to 32 inches or so. Anyway, beings that I am a bolt-action accuracy nut, I want something reasonably accurate. Also want double-set triggers. Beings that I am also a cheapskate to the core, I want something versatile. The Kentucky rifles (complete and kit) I generally see listed (.45 and .50 caliber) have 1 turn in 60 to 70 inches, for accuracy with round balls. Traditional-looking rifles intended for hunting (like the Lyman Great Plains Hunter) have 1 turn in 32 inches, for accuracy with modern saboted spitzer bullets. Is there a twist rate that gives decent accuracy with both round balls (cheap practice) and conical bullets (potential hunting), like about 1 in 48? Suggestions? Get two barrels with different twist rates? Are tangs similar enough to be able to do that?
Also, I'm a woodworker, so I was thinking of making my own stock. I'm just not won over by the plain wood I see in the $250 kits. Maybe practice with a plain piece of hardwood, then do the "real thing" with a piece of curly maple or flame birch. Any of you guys ever tried this? Suggestions?
I'd like to end up with a full-stocked longrifle with decent figure in the wood that I can use for target practice and muzzleloading deer hunting. I would be in your debt for any advice.
Thanks,
Crunch
