Looking for .36-.45 rifle kit

[trooperdan]

Hey guys!
I've been a shooter/caster/reloader for nearly 50 years but never a muzzle-loader. Three weeks ago, I had a knee replacement and it looks like my request for retirement will be approved for this month! So I'm looking for a project and I think I want to build a black powder rifle kit.

Decades ago, it seems there were kits of every description everywhere but today it appears the choice is really limited! I'm thinking of a small caliber, round ball only, just for fun shooting and plinking in the back yard. I have in my mind, around a .36 to .40 caliber for a light, easy shooting rifle. And I think I'd like a barrel no greater than 28" for balance and esthetics.

What do you think of my desire? Is there anything like what I want on the market? Should provide a test bad for home-made BP too! :)

[DIRT Farmer]

Depends on what you want. Several offer kits from plank and parts to 98% finished. One can find kits from 25 cal to 4 bore, flint or cap, even matchlock. As far as the mass produced guns kits are limited.
Try Track of the wolf, Tip Curtis Frontier shop, Stone wall outfitters, Jim Chambers flintlocks. There are several others.

[Maven]

TD, You may want to ask Waksupi about those kits, as he's an expert builder.

[northmn]

I would check Traditions arms web site as they might have some kits. Basically there is a limited number in what you want as most ML's were classically longer barreled weapons. A good example is the 40 cal swamped barrel I bought a while back which is 38" long and will balance very well when built into a rifle. It will balance better than a short straight barrel. One advantage of the kits is that parts are matched to a style of rifle such that you have a possible markter for what you build. I plan on doing more building when retired and have stockpiled a few parts for the time.
http://i550.photobucket.com/albums/ii425/Davidpeck16/Poor%20Boy/009.jpg
http://i550.photobucket.com/albums/ii425/Davidpeck16/Wifes%20Rifle/001.jpg
http://i550.photobucket.com/albums/ii425/Davidpeck16/Wifes%20Rifle/003.jpg
http://i550.photobucket.com/albums/ii425/Davidpeck16/Wifes%20Rifle/002.jpg
The poor boy pictured is a 25 squirrel rifle I built out of a plank similar to the one it is leaning against. the other rifle is one I built for my wife several years ago. A 45 with a 32" 45 cal barrel. The poor boy has a 3/4 inch 36 inch barrel. Neither is unweildy.

DP

[Hanshi]

I highly recommend you contact TVM(ussleloading). Their kits are among the easiest to build (other than the over-the-counter) guns. They use primo parts and you can specify lock, stock and barrel. Cost is very reasonable.

[trooperdan]

Appreciate the tip on TVM, I'll contact for more info. Thanks guys!

[725]

Been awhile since I looked into a kit, but I think October Country has kits. Also, in PA there is a shop, Dixon's Muzzleloading, that does all things muzzleloading. Good people, too.

[Okie2]

You might try dixie gun works (google for website)...have quite a few....they are a little pricey then I remember...have a Thompson Cherokee .32 and .45 barrel that I built from a kit...was pretty fun and not too hard. Have fun!

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

If Thompson Center still offers them, that'd be my choice,
or maybe there is a NOS (New Old stock) kit out there somewhere
Jon