Dilemma!

[duckey]

Been saving up for a Track kit for about a year now. Just about there. Can't really decide what I want....I like the lines of the Bucks County. I'm thinking 50 or 54 cal, either straight or swamped barrel. I want an extra fancy stock. Maybe do some wire inlay and some inlay and carving which I have never done. Been looking at a lot of pics on the inter web and getting ideas. To many choices! Not my first build but not my last either.

[KCSO]

Your first dilemma is what they might actually have in stock. I wanted a 54 calibre barrel in April of last year and they just got one in. Start collecting parts now.

[duckey]

Iv'e been been keeping tabs on parts of two kits i am eyeballing. My extra fancy stock is a 3 month wait. I may just start collecting parts.

[1Hawkeye]

Check out Pecatonica they also have a lot of kits to choose from and they specialize in high grade woods. www.longrifles-pr.com

[bedbugbilly]

I'd suggest Pecatonica as well as an alternate supplier. The biggest issue will be if parts are in stock. Seems like barrels are hit and miss - try Rice barrels if you don't see what you need as he makes good barrels - just allow for time for him to get it made. Once you decide on your barrel size - i.e. across flats and if straight or swamped - you could go ahead and get your stock. If you are going to have the stock inlet for the lock, then pick out your lock as well.

It used to be nice years ago to be able to order a "kit" from TOW or others but unfortunately, now they are also dependent on their suppliers - a person can't really get too upset about it as they have no say over availability to themselves as well.

Green Mountain doesn't have much anymore - you could check their site to see what they have but the last time I looked, it wasn't much. I inquired about a barrel that wasn't listed just to see if they by chance had one - I was told they could run it but I'd have to order a production run of 100 to get it. Seems like their bread and butter is with other types of barrels now.

Good luck to you - you'll get it all figured out and things gather up to put it together. The Buck County is a nice rifle.

[waksupi]

Get a swamped barrel. You can thank me later.

[duckey]

Thanks for the support. All my $$ is locked up in Track gift certificates so Track it is. I have heard that a swamped barrel is better balanced and or feels nicer to some. I like the look of the swamped.

[1Hawkeye]

I hear what your saying duckey and yes a swamped barrel is the way to go it saves a lot of weight while giving the rifle a slender look. I built a .50 cal Issac Hanes flinter a while back and its like carrying a small bore because of the swamped barrel cut down so much weight. Good luck with your build.

[duckey]

Thanks. I am looking at the 44" C Profile in either .50 or .54 cal, there is a Backorder on the .50 and a 90 day wait on the .54. The 42" B or C profile are all in stock. What would you all recommend for barrel length? Pros and cons? what will 2" matter?

[725]

Everybody beat me to it: Swamped is the way to go.

[1Hawkeye]

Barrel length is kinda a personal choice thing with some folks but when I built my Issac Hanes I used a Green Mountain 38" b weight if I remember right and it balances perfectly. I think a 2" difference won't matter much except for the sight radius. Depending on your height and arm length are other things to consider when looking at the longest barrels remember the muzzle is a working surface and you don't want to need a step stool for loading (he he) I'm 6' with long arms and I don't think I would want a 44" barrel because of trying to keep steady when offhand shooting and going through the brush in the woods. I think I would go for a .50 cal 42" in a b profile so the rifle isn't too nose heavy.

[Geezer in NH]

I found out long ago a long barrel made me sneakier {if that's a word] in the thick cover and then saw and shot more game. Just a thought.

[varsity07840]

Been saving up for a Track kit for about a year now. Just about there. Can't really decide what I want....I like the lines of the Bucks County. I'm thinking 50 or 54 cal, either straight or swamped barrel. I want an extra fancy stock. Maybe do some wire inlay and some inlay and carving which I have never done. Been looking at a lot of pics on the inter web and getting ideas. To many choices! Not my first build but not my last either.

Buy some scrap pieces of curly maple to practice carving and inlay. A pricey stock is not what you want to learn on.