Why NOT to buy/build a new rifle!

[Butler Ford 40]

I recently purchased a new rifle. Sounds pretty simple... or until I started to outfit it.
Gotta make a new pouch, new horn ( ya may have to dehorn a cow or buff to get the needed supplies), new horn strap, new ball bag (need to kill a deer or elk to have a hide to tan). Have to make a new set of flinter tools, touch hole pick, turn screw, knapping tools and a pair of pliers and ya just gotta have a patch knife (make sure that the deer or elk you killed was antlered so you can have a handle for the knife and tip for the pick). Of course, it needs a sheath ( or you can use the tanned hide later), while you are soaking the hide, you can start on the sinew for sewing everything).
The bag has to have a few basics:  Patching material, patch lube and container, a simple fire making kit (you know, a good container for making char, steel, find a good flint, make the char, maybe even throw in a bit of tow to help out on cold wet days.
Need a wallet for some extra flints (see deer/elk).
The bag needs a small repair kit (you can make a decent needle out of the shin bone and save some of the extra sinew).
Need to sew up a new frock (the one from the Seven Years War looks out of place in the Rockies).
Need new britches, the linen ones from the southeast gonna be a mite' thin in the higher elevations! ( hope you got at least two deer or a big elk!)
OH! While you have the forge going, might aughta make a few fishhooks, those rivers out west have some mighty nice trout!

Mmmm, it ain't been delivered yet but anyone wanna buy my new rifle?

[Ohio Joe]

Yes sir, lot more to it than just the rifle, that's for sure.  Don't forget to set one of them there antler tips a'side for a powder charger...

[Butler Ford 40]

Yes sir, lot more to it than just the rifle, that's for sure.  Don't forget to set one of them there antler tips a'side for a powder charger...

Oh my, I did forget that one!! Thanks for the reminder!  Wonder what else I have forgotten!? Yep! hope that bambi has a few points on it, need another tip to cobble together an awl for all the hide stitching!

Oh My! I left out a maintence/cleaning kit!, gotta' make a tow worm and come up with an oil bottle! 

The shooting pouch is starting to get a little crowded, guess I need to sew up a haversack of some kind.

[Ohio Joe]

I'm glad you made this post, Bill...

I need to make a few bags myself which I should be using this Winter to get it done.

I freely admit that I slacked off and opted to have a couple rifles share the same bag, (which I really thought was a good idea at the time having them set up for both flint and cap), but that just adds more "clutter" in the bag when you go fishing for something for a certain lock or purpose... I've seen the error of my ways and have realized that, "yes" - each rifle needs its own bag... 

  Almost forgot already, that's going to mean a couple new horns as well!!!

[Butler Ford 40]

I guess the fun part of this sport (besides meeting some really awesome people) is that it is never ending if you want it to be or just stop with powder, measure, patch, lube and ball.

[Ohio Joe]

I guess the fun part of this sport (besides meeting some really awesome people) is that it is never ending if you want it to be or just stop with powder, measure, patch, lube and ball.

Amen to that! 

I do think we tend to "over indulge" with our shootin' bag in todays times,,, but,,, sure as shootin' as soon as I get to the Range there's gonna be that "one" thing I need that I didn't bring... 

[Uncle Russ]

I guess the fun part of this sport (besides meeting some really awesome people) is that it is never ending if you want it to be or just stop with powder, measure, patch, lube and ball.

Yep, Bill, You can make yourself a big part of that last one.
Both your wisdom and insight have been sorely missed, glad ya found yer way back home.
Still yet, we must never forget, that.... "All who wander are not necessarily lost".
I see in your travels ya picked up a whole bunch of wisdom in regards to that new riflegun, and the accruements required to make one tick, if fact, you've done plumb talked me outta the idea of getting a new/different one. I'm perfectly happy with what I've got, but there's always just the thought of a new one.....nice, but no dice.
I'm going to "run what I brung" and feel fortunate I've got it.

 


Russ...

[BEAVERMAN]

Dang Bill, you made me tired just reading about it!!!!!!!!!!!! reminds me I have to make 2 more horns for my setups! and I do have 1 more gun  to build, a Track early English trade gun kit that I picked up at a voo a couple of 7 years ago for a song that's been labeled with a round to it on the box! and then of course the kit to go with it, now I need a nap thinking about  that!

[Butler Ford 40]

Never enough time to do all the things ya wanna do!  I've got a Fowler 62 cal that needs finishing!
LOL, so far, the only thing I've accomplished for the undelivered is to mak a knapping tool out an old cut nail salvaged out of an old barn dismantle, and tape some printer paper together to draw out a pouch on.

IIt's just too much fun not to get back into the sport.  Sometimes life just gets in the way.

[RobD]

Don't forget a loaded ball board, for fast reloads whilst in hostile country, or a faster follow up shot on that elk!

A coupla small corked and pegged brass tubes with preloaded powder charge to go along with the ball board, as well ... ?

And how 'bout a ball worm for those times we sorta scramble "powder, patch, ball" into "patch, ball, uh oh!" ... ?

Maybe add in a patch worm, too?

Also, perhaps a muzzle protector so's the crown don't git worn from all that ball ramming?

A flannel rag for cleaning up the lock, too.

Heck, go on and add in a few extra ramrods, while yer at it!

 

[Butler Ford 40]

Don't forget a loaded ball board, for fast reloads whilst in hostile country, or a faster follow up shot on that elk!

A coupla small corked and pegged brass tubes with preloaded powder charge to go along with the ball board, as well ... ?

And how 'bout a ball worm for those times we sorta scramble "powder, patch, ball" into "patch, ball, uh oh!" ... ?

Maybe add in a patch worm, too?

Also, perhaps a muzzle protector so's the crown don't git worn from all that ball ramming?

A flannel rag for cleaning up the lock, too.

Heck, go on and add in a few extra ramrods, while yer at it!

 

Maybe I should cut down that hickory tree in the yard, trim it up, split into staves, maybe trade staves (bow length and ramrod lengths) for trading material so's maybe I can get somebody else to make some of this stuff for me!

 

[RobD]

Don't forget a loaded ball board, for fast reloads whilst in hostile country, or a faster follow up shot on that elk!

A coupla small corked and pegged brass tubes with preloaded powder charge to go along with the ball board, as well ... ?

And how 'bout a ball worm for those times we sorta scramble "powder, patch, ball" into "patch, ball, uh oh!" ... ?

Maybe add in a patch worm, too?

Also, perhaps a muzzle protector so's the crown don't git worn from all that ball ramming?

A flannel rag for cleaning up the lock, too.

Heck, go on and add in a few extra ramrods, while yer at it!

 

Maybe I should cut down that hickory tree in the yard, trim it up, split into staves, maybe trade staves (bow length and ramrod lengths) for trading material so's maybe I can get somebody else to make some of this stuff for me!

 

I like yer thinkin'!!!     

[KDubs]

 all right, you guys gotta stop.
 my head is swimming with all the ideas and thoughts of the things i can make.
 and dammit i still want a fowler....
kevin

[Butler Ford 40]

There ya go Kevin!  fowlers are a lot of fun!  I had to slap all the pieces together on mine and shoot it a few times before I ever started proper fitting and finishing! 

[RobD]

If ya really want to at least attempt to experience the 18th century, ya need a smoothbore, preferably a fowler (.62 is nice) or a smooth rifle (.50 or so). 

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