I just thought I'd post this to see if there were any "chunk gun" shooters here. I used to enjoy watching the shoot down at Friendship years ago - seemed like they were of all sizes. I remember watching a guy pull out one of his new builds from the back of his station wagon one tie - must have had a barrel close to 7 or 8 feet long. I had a conversation with a fellow the other day who used to shoot chunk guns many many years ago. So "the guy has bit" and it's tine to start accumulating "parts an pieces" to do a build on one.
My thoughts are a more traditional Tennessee style build. I'm thinking flintlock, double set triggers, iron furniture. I have a nice walnut full stock blank back in MI that would work well.
I' thinking a heavy octagon barrel in .50 cal. with a RB twist of around 1:60 to 1:66. I would like to use a heavier barrel - minimum of 1" across the flats but preferably 1 11/8" to 1 1/4" and at least 42" in length.
I was hoping to find a GM 1 1/8" X 42" X 50 cal. barrel but looking around, I can't find a one. Does anyone have a suggestion on who/where I could get a barrel or have one made that wouldn't break the bank? Any of the suppliers I've check with are very limited on supply of GM barrels and when there is a 1 1/8" barrel, it seems to be the 36".
Since most matches appear to be shot at 60 yards, I thought a .50 cal would be a good choice? Another preferences and why?
This will be a "heavy" build - i.e. proportioon of stock to be with the dimensions of the heavy barrel and I'm guessing the entire rifle would be in the 20 pound range or so.
I'm trying to find the barrel first so I know what dimensions I have to work with, then draw up full size plans so that I know all the components - lock, trigger, etc. will work.
If there are any chunk gun shooters on here, I'd sure appreciate any comments, thoughts, suggestions, etc. that you may have as to what you like and dislike in a chunk gun.
I've read a number of things on the chunk gun shoots and from what I'm seeing, they go back to the 1830's at least - one I read about was in Tennessee and related to Crockett - so I figure a flintlock would be appropriate but I would also consider percussion. I picked up one of the L & R 'mule ear side slappers" earlier this year for another build - a nice lock but I haven't laid it out to see how or if it would work with a larger size barrel. If I go with a flintlock, I'm guessing that if I can find a larger size barrel, it's going to have to be a larger size lock - perhaps one of the the several "trade gun locks" such as used on the Fusil-de-chasse.
Thanks for any input - greatly appreciated!
Jim