Traditional Muzzleloading Association

Shooting Traditional Firearms and Weapons => General Interest => Topic started by: Stormrider51 on November 13, 2014, 12:26:57 PM

Title: Club Butt?
Post by: Stormrider51 on November 13, 2014, 12:26:57 PM
I'm considering ordering a Club Butt fowler.  Information is scarce but what I can find indicates that they are very well balanced in spite of the clumsy appearance.  Has anyone handled or fired one?  What did you think?

Storm
Title: Re: Club Butt?
Post by: mario on November 13, 2014, 07:47:21 PM
I've handled a fair amount of CB over the last few years. Much depends on who is building it. There is a big difference between an experienced builder of CBs and one who doesn't make them in the normal course of business.

The heaviest one I handled belonged to a friend in Maine. Easily weighs over 13lbs, but the barrel just hangs on target.

He also had one built by Leonard Day (an E. Boulton fowler) with a 54" barrel that weighed much less and was easier to carry.

They look quite awkward, but when shouldered, handle quite well.

Mario
Title: Re: Club Butt?
Post by: Stormrider51 on November 13, 2014, 08:13:53 PM
Thanks, Mario.  The builder in this case would be Jackie Brown.  My understanding is that he had some problems some years back after an intracranial bleed but is back up to speed now.

Storm
Title: Re: Club Butt?
Post by: Geezer in NH on November 14, 2014, 05:53:02 PM
My Jackie Brown Shoots sweet [20 gauge]. Heads up view and does not kick like you would think. You have to use the old time heads up type hold but that is natural!!!!!
Title: Re: Club Butt?
Post by: Stormrider51 on November 14, 2014, 08:38:13 PM
Geezer,  Thanks for that information.  I think I'm going to place the order.

Storm
Title: Re: Club Butt?
Post by: Captchee on November 15, 2014, 07:33:40 PM
myself i like them , they shoulder well  and give a nice sight picture .
  now that being said , a short barreld one , just looks wrong  IMO
Title: Re: Club Butt?
Post by: Stormrider51 on November 15, 2014, 08:38:31 PM
I plunked down my money this morning.  Charlie, I can see your point about how it would look wrong with a short barrel.  Mine will have a 42".  One of the great things about muzzleloading today is the broad range of types and styles we have available.  When I was coming up you had a rifle.  That was it.  It might be an Eastern style or a Plains style but it would have those squiggly grooves in the barrel.  There just wasn't any interest in smoothbores.  Things have changed.

Storm
Title: Re: Club Butt?
Post by: mario on November 17, 2014, 11:57:18 PM
A buddy of mine has one of JB's club butts and likes it.

IMHO. A 42" barrel makes it a bit butt-heavy and it doesn't have as good of a "hang".

Mario