I was just wondering how hard it is to build a muzzleloader and also is it fun to do.
ColonialCollin

It isn't hard to do, BUT!!!!!! You need a good mentor/teacher who has a good working knowledge of gunsmithing and willing to teach the correct proportions, geometry and overall aesthetics of the longrifle.
It is one of the most fulfilling relationships a man can have working with his hands. To complete such a project will make you proud and gives great gratitude when others reveal at the masterpiece you have created.
Building a muzzleloader is also an addictive hobby/career. It can consume your life and you will soon find yourself mind deep every night in a book studying the art of the longrifle. Countless hours are also lost perusing the web for additional information and photos, sharing posts and reading stories.

Good luck, but most important be safe.

The satisfaction of building your own rifle and getting it to shoot straight is difficult to quantify. It won't save you any money though. By the time you buy the tools, finishing products, parts, etc., you could have probably bought a factory gun already finished. You do get the satisfaction that you put it together yourself.

The answer to your question depends upon how much work you decide to do. Kit rifles like the Lyman Great Plains rifle are probably good places to start. To build a rifle from a precarved stock and a set of parts like those from Track of the Wolf requires a lot of knowledge and experience. Some recommend starting with a pistol as that will give you all the skills needed to build a rifle at a later date. Pistol stocks are much less expensive than a rifle stock, so if you screw it up, you aren't out that much.

If you want to build a rifle from a set of parts, I'd recommend getting the book, "Gunsmith of Grenville County" and reading it first. It will give you a good idea of what to do. Most parts sets like those from Track of the Wolf don't come with instructions.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: bioprof,

Depends on your aptitude in wood AND metal working--and on having a mentor to help you through the tough stages. Kits are usually the way most folks say to start because the hard parts are already done--even some 'custom' makers use kits as a base--such as the Chambers kits. I had the luck of having a good teacher when I built my first rifle [from 'scratch', not a kit; that is, using a wood blank, store bought lock, barrel and other hardware]. Most kits already have the barrel, lock, etc at least 95% inletted--which sets up your lock-trigger-barrel alignment. But some metal and wood work are required even on kits. There are several good books out there for help, but nothing like finding a human being with knowledge to guide you along...

Mike R nailed it. I have built guns but do not consider my self a gun builder. My last one was built by a friend who is both a craftsman and an artist. He is now working on another. I simply do not posess the skills and artistry for the task. For me, it is very hard indeed. For others, a joy. Do get a couple good books on the subject and start with an inletted stock. Take yer time.

Colin, Please realize that your question was asked in a very general sense. We could liken your question to "how hard is it to build a bridge?" By "bridge" are we talking about a simple log down over a stream or are we talking about the Golden Gate bridge by San Francisco? There are similar differences in gun building, from the simple kits to the elaborate carved and engraved works of art. And, building a muzzleloader might not be considered to be fun but it certainly is rewarding. And instead of thinking about getting the whole gun built, it is better to consider each step of building that muzzleloader. For instance, we might say, "today I'll inlet the barrel into the stock." That could easily be a full morning's work. Then, the next morning, whether that would be the next day or not, another step could be taken, such as fitting the nose cap. Of course, you can buy kits with those steps already done. What you select for making a muzzleloader can be in line with what tools or equipment you have access too. For instance, again, you probably wouldn't want to start with a stock blank unless you have a band saw for cutting out the stock's profile. Instead, you can get pre-carved stocks. You have asked a good question but you could help us by narrowing down the field of your question somewhat by letting us know what kind of muzzleloader you are interested in. Maybe you don't know that yet but you can find out by reading as much as you can about the old rifles and smoothbores. My favorite guns are the rifles and smoothbores from the 1830s and a lot of shooters like the guns from earlier eras. As an example of how that can effect the building of the guns, a very plain Hawken is easier or quicker to build than a Lancaster "Kentucky rifle" from the Golden Age that is much fancier. I hope our answers don't drive you away but please agree with us that your question is not the kind that can be answered with just one sentence. Let us know more about what you have in mind and, for sure, ask more questions. Shoot sharp's the word, Mike

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mike Nesbitt,

I don't see it as fun, but it was cheaper so I got into it with parts sets from TOW, I hear that Chambers sets are less work, I am certain you could do one with the books mentioned as guidelines and the forum as a backup, I am not a "gun builder" but more of a novice gun stocker, it probably goes better and is fun if you really like doing it, good luck and have fun if you choose to put one together.

Colin, you might consider buying or borrowing a DVD or tape on gunbuilding to see what skill levels are required, what tools you'd need, etc. TOTW sells several DVDs on rifle and pistol making. For a first gun, whether rifle or pistol, there would be some merit in picking a relatively simple style that wouldn't need engraving or elaborate carving to look 'right.' Once you've decided the project is a 'go' you can look at sources like TOTW, Chambers Flintlocks, or Pecatonica to try to match an available kit or components set to what you want to build. Like Mike N. said, there are lots of levels of expertise that could be implied in putting a gun together from components: There are probably kits out there where final stock shaping and staining is the most challenging task. Or, you could buy all the piece parts and be faced with stock shaping, inletting, breech plug installation, cutting dovetails, etc. Some steps, such as breechplug installation or dovetail cutting, have safety implications, and you want to be sure those are done right, whether by you or by a gunsmith.

SCL

Collin,
Not that I'm blowing my own horn, but if you're a member of the NMLRA, the August issue of their mag (sorry to mention it, Linda and Bill) has an article by me on completing the NSW Chief's Grade gun. It's not a how-to, but it may give you an idea about working on just about any gun kit sold by most outfits these days--i.e. pre-carved stock, finished lock, barrel breached, but all the rest you get to do.

Dick

You can build a LOT better gun than you can buy, and you will learn a lot about guns in the process. I started with a kit from Thompson Center, which was really parts that needed assembled and finished. Stay away from the more advanced kits for now. I know a couple of guys that have a kit stuck back in the closet from 30 years ago, and have never advanced from there.

Thanks Mike N. for letting me know that I need to simplify my question and truly I don`t have the tools or the now how to cut out a stock for I am only 13 and I would like to build a rifle that is Kentucky style or even a pistol that style so I hope this helps and thank you guys for your responses on all of my posts.
ColonialCollin

quote:

Originally posted by Pete G:
You can build a LOT better gun than you can buy, and you will learn a lot about guns in the process. I started with a kit from Thompson Center, which was really parts that needed assembled and finished. Stay away from the more advanced kits for now. I know a couple of guys that have a kit stuck back in the closet from 30 years ago, and have never advanced from there.

Hey! That comment resembles me. I recently came across a CVA 'Kentucky' flintlock pistol kit that is well over 30 years old, closer to 40. I plan to finish it.....someday.

Hey Colin, There is nothing "only" about being 13. As far as cutting out stocks goes, many kits have that already done. In fact, if you find yourself ready to pick one out and buy, I'd recommend getting a gun in-the-white. That is fully assembled but you still need to finish the wood and the metal. That means doing the final sanding, then staining the stock and finally finishing it with an oil or varnish of your choice. The steel parts would need to be browned or blued, or even left "white" depending on the style and era of the gun and, again, your choice. But first you need to learn about the guns, lean on Sawbones for some shootin' with his guns, especially his Northwest Gun. While you're learning about what you would want to have, be saving $$$ as much as you can. When you know what you want, you can get it in a way that you can complete without a whole shop of tools. Keep at it and you could certainly have the gun you want, finished by yourself, by the time you are 15. (And that isn't very far down the trail.) Shoot sharp's the word, Mike

Colin, is building a gun fun? Yes and no answers are both correct. It takes the same skills and patience to make a pistol as it does a long gun. 13 years old is a good age to be an 'apprentice', so now's the time to start. That way, you'll be better than me when you get to be my age. I've got 375+ muzzle loaders under my belt and I'm hoping to get good at it one day soon. Now, a person being 13 is probably not going to have the big bucks to build a gun, be it from a stick, a kit, or in the white. That being said, if you decide to build a pistol, send me an email and some old fat codger just might be able to find and DONATE (did I really say that?) a few good parts that are laying in the deep, dark recesses and corners of his cluttered and dusty shop that might help you with this quest. Cheers, Bookie

I built my first gun from one of T/C's kits at the age of 18. I have been building guns ever since. Building a long rifle or pistol is a sequense of simple to challanging steps. All these steps have to be executed as perfectly as possible to have a safe and pleasing to look at end result. Breeching the barrel and cutting the dovetails should be done by an expierenced hand for safety reasons. If you have the fortune to find a mentor to apprentice with you will be able to learn more quickley and avoid costly mistakes. BJH

AH to be 13 again!!!!!!or just remember when it was and what it was like.Wish I had a clue as to what I wanted to do/be when I grew up when I was 13.Colonial Collin stay on task your up the correct trail forsure. 13! that was a good year or age!!!!!!!!!!!!!!What would you do if you were "ONLY 13 AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!

Colin, Send Bookie that email. He just gave you an offer that you shouldn't pass up. It's a good one, for sure. Shoot sharp, Mike

Nice reminder, Mike.

When I was 13, the phone company owned almost all the phones and people rented them. No one ever heard of cell phones. Computers filled entire rooms. Acid was something in your car battery. Pot was what you cooked dinner in. Gasoline was leaded and cost about $.19 a gallon.

Sparks

The best way to make a really good rifle/gun for the beginner is with a Jim Chambers kit.
Not cheap but all dovetails are cut etc.
The parts are all first rate and the guns are right in design.
Jim Chambers Flintocks.
They have a website.

Dan

I would also recommend Chuck Dixon's book "The Art of Building the Pennsylvania Longrifle". It's about building from scratch but the info you need is all there.
Kit Ravenshear's little booklets are excellent as well. There are 2 on wood working.
Search for Dixon's Muzzleloader Shop. They are in Kempton, PA. But have no catalog.
Track of the Wolf is another good source for books.

Dan