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Posted: 8/29/2015 12:23:18 AM EDT
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I shot a little bit of black powder a couple of decades ago in the Boy Scouts, but I would certainly not consider myself experienced. I built a CVA Kentucky Pistol with my dad when I was a kid. Still have it, but have never fired it. Planning on dusting it off and getting the goods to shoot it one of these decades, but every few years I get an itch for a rifle.
I've been watching 'Turn' and it has really got me wanting to shoot some black powder. Not looking for super authenticity or period accuracy, but would prefer something closer to the Revolutionary War than the Civil War era. My family comes from Ireland by way off Appalachia and were homesteaders in Kentucky, so I've been drawn to older hunting/subsistence guns that were lower grade - basically a simple rifle that any poor homesteader might afford. This rifle is primarily intended for fun - probably not hunting. At least not this year. I would like to primarily shoot ball, but conical and sabots could be nice, too. So, all that said, after a very cursory search, I was looking at a Pedersoli Kentucky percussion rifle. Not sure I understand the difference between Pennsylvania and Kentucky rifles, or any other for that matter. Thought I might like a flintlock, but I want to keep cost down and my limited experience has been with caps anyhow. Looking for something that will mostly be good for family fun, so not looking to turn my wife's face black or blow my daughter into the next county. Given what's currently available and the above, where would you steer a n00b? |
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sounds like you need a good ol traditional English Fowling Gun
Thats most likely the same type of gun your ancestors would have used during the period you described. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NRPgKp6paE if you are not that concerned with matching the history.. or you want to fast forward 100+ years and on a much tighter budget than a layman great plains rifle in percussion would be my 2nd suggestion http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_92_186_191&products_id=3503 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZCVQMEwlT0 |
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Thank you - I'll check both out.
In a timely development, I was talking to some family on the phone today and I may be able to get my hands on my great grandma's Kentucky rifle that's been on the farm for a few generations at least. She was a real mountain woman, and it would be pretty special to get her rifle. After my grandpa died, his stepson took it to Tennessee, but he's not a gun guy. They're sending an old Stevens 20 ga and possibly the muzzleloader to me next week. In the meantime, I'll keep looking at these options and others - I'm all ears for caliber and rifle recommendations. I think I am still leaning toward a rifled barrel and flintlock, but definitely open to caps. Smoothbore if I can be talked into it. |
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Quoted:
Thank you - I'll check both out. In a timely development, I was talking to some family on the phone today and I may be able to get my hands on my great grandma's Kentucky rifle that's been on the farm for a few generations at least. She was a real mountain woman, and it would be pretty special to get her rifle. After my grandpa died, his stepson took it to Tennessee, but he's not a gun guy. They're sending an old Stevens 20 ga and possibly the muzzleloader to me next week. In the meantime, I'll keep looking at these options and others - I'm all ears for caliber and rifle recommendations. I think I am still leaning toward a rifled barrel and flintlock, but definitely open to caps. Smoothbore if I can be talked into it. watch the first video i posted above.. might help in your decision. Regards |
| If you have the ducats to drop, you can buy a custom gun: http://www.contemporarylongrifleassociation.com/ Click link and look for the items for sale icon, then select Kentucky Long Rifle. |
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OK. For a novice, percussion is normally recommended. Flintlocks require flint management skills that aren't hard, but you'll be trying to learn them at the same time you're learning everything else.
The Pedersoli arms are of good quality. The only way you're going to top them is to go to a custom rifle. If you're pretty good with your hands, especially with wood, you might want to consider the Dunlap Woodcrafts component sets. Those are top-quality parts, with all the hard inletting done for you. With a bit of work, they make into excellent rifles. You'll find it hard to get all types of projectiles to shoot well from one barrel. Round balls need a slow twist, Minies preter faster. |
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Jeremiah wanted "a Hawken in fifty caliber or better. He settled for a forty five thirty but it was a genuine Hawken." That is still good advice. You can take any game animal in North America with one to shoot. Just make sure you use genuine black powder and round, patched balls.
Thanks for correcting me - below. |
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Quoted:
Jeremiah wanted "a Hawken in fifty caliber or better. He settled for a forty five but it was a genuine Hawken." That is still good advice. You can take any game animal in North America with one and they are darn fun to shoot. Just make sure you use genuine black powder and round, patched balls. In the movie they said it was a .30 cal ,but a genuine hawkin ,I think its a miswriting in the script ...... a .30 ! |
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Here are a couple of decent choices for a rifle that approximates what your ancestors would be likely to have used.
Flintlock Caplock If you want to try a flintlock, the first link above is not a bad choice. The thing to keep in mind about shooting a flintlock is that the lock can make or break a first time flintlock shooter. A poorly designed lock will never be reliable and will quickly convince the shooter that the flintlock should be avoided. A good lock will appear to offer as fast, or faster, ignition compared to a caplock. High speed video photography has proven that the caplock is faster, but it would take an Olympic grade shooter to take advantage of the difference. |
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