Started My Retirement Flintlock Rifle Build This Morning

[Ohio Joe]

Joe,
You got that rifle gun about to the point where you need to be starting in on it with a tomahawk, ala Wallace Gussler.
Every time I watch that video (the Gunsmith of Williamsburg) I cringe when he brings it out and starts whacking.
Looking good so far.
John

I know what you mean, John.    I watched that video about a month ago or so (again) and I remember you saying this before about the hawk he takes to that stock. Quite the builder for sure. If I did that I'd have nothing but kindling for fire starter...

If anyone wants to watch this video (and a good one it is for sure), here's a link;

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=YouTube+Flintlock+Rifle+Builders&&view=detail&mid=EA5EE46FC3C928830645EA5EE46FC3C928830645&&FORM=VDRVRV

[Spotted Bull]

An old friend and gun builder used to say building a rifle was easy. Just take off all the wood that isnt a rifle...

[Ohio Joe]

An old friend and gun builder used to say building a rifle was easy. Just take off all the wood that isnt a rifle...

That sounds right to me. 

[Ohio Joe]

Went this route this time for the nose cap. This is the first time I've used this particular one (the short one).

I bridged the gap between the bottom of the nose cap and top of the ramrod with a piece of 1/4" wide brass which I epoxied and pinned with a brass brad. I've used this method several times with the 2 long nose cap, and it works just fine. I've never like the idea of to big a gap between the nose cap and ramrod.

Here are a couple pictures;

[Nessmuk]

An elegant solution, Joe. Looks great!

[Ohio Joe]

Thank you Nessmuk. 

It's been quite a few years since I built a stock from scratch, but it's a coming back to me.

[rollingb]

What Nessmuck said! 

[Uncle Russ]

What Nessmuck said! 

Me too!
I especially like Nessmuck's description of "Elegant".....You nailed it, brother!!
 

[Hank in WV]

Joe, have you tried drilling your ramrod hole higher up. I drill mine where the rammer is about 1/16" below the nosecap. It makes for a much slimmer rifle. More than one way to skin a cat.

[Ohio Joe]

Got the Butt-Plate installed this afternoon (1/16th inch cast off) - so tomorrow I think I'll take some wood off the butt area (might even get the toe plate installed? Trigger pull is 13-1/2 inches, and drop is 3-1/2 inches (which all fit me).

[Ohio Joe]

Joe, have you tried drilling your ramrod hole higher up. I drill mine where the rammer is about 1/16" below the nosecap. It makes for a much slimmer rifle. More than one way to skin a cat.

Well Hank, I was going to use a grooved nose cap, but decided to go with the short non grooved nose cap - so the drilling was already finished after I changed my mind on nose cap's. 

[Ohio Joe]

What Nessmuck said! 

Me too!
I especially like Nessmuck's description of "Elegant".....You nailed it, brother!!

Thank you Russ. 

[Ohio Joe]

Just to give a little background on my rifle build;

My new build will end up looking similar to the old flintlock in the link below - (though I've made altercations naturally). I prefer a muzzle loading rifle with a bit of heft since where I live we reenact the western fur trade where thin stocked rifles didn't have a good reputation of being best suited for the rigors of the west. Click on the link below to see how much this flintlock's been through.

I went .45 caliber with a 7/8" x 36" Green Mnt. Barrel... I could have gone .50 caliber - but prefer to go .45 and save on powder and lead. After all, we're only reenacting a fur trade camp and we don't have to worry about grizzly bears here in NW Nebraska (unless one decides to migrate out'a Yellowstone, which I don't see that happening in the near future.

So, my new build will fit me just fine for deer size game and smaller - with the added shooting matches it will be used in.     

https://images.gunsinternational.com/listings_sub/acc_70986/gi_100817985/Small-Flint-Lock-Rifle-Youth-or-Ladies-Gun-Early-1800and-39-s_100817985_70986_D816432FD44A2533.JPG

[Ohio Joe]

Sorry about the picture quality, but what do you guys think,,, I've been shaping the beaver tail cheek piece and do you think I ought to leave that little strip of wood under the cheek piece? It actually looks pretty cool in my opinion, but just wondered what you all thought?

It really has no purpose other then it looks pretty neat and can be an identification signature

[rollingb]

Sorry about the picture quality, but what do you guys think,,, I've been shaping the beaver tail cheek piece and do you think I ought to leave that little strip of wood under the cheek piece? It actually looks pretty cool in my opinion, but just wondered what you all thought?

It really has no purpose other then it looks pretty neat and can be an identification signature

I'd leave it,.... 'cause I agree, it does look pretty cool.