Kentucky long rifles, am I late to the party?

[fullmetaljesus]

For years ive wanted to get a Kentucky long rifle. But I can't see to find any at a decent price. Which means they are over priced or I'm under valuing them?

I don't need anything fancy. Just something that will go boom in .50 caliber.

What should a reasonable one go for? What am I looking for what should I avoid?

 

[natdscott]

In to follow. Seems “Long Guns” is a particularly appropriate sub-forum for this discussion.

 

[Leadeye]

Flint or percussion?

 

[indyjohn]

Mine would be flint.

 

[fullmetaljesus]

Flint or percussion?

Percussion

 

[Angrysauce]

You are approximately three centuries late to the party.

 

[DeadeyeChrista'sdad]

PR0500 Traditions Kentucky Rifle Kit - .50 caliber

Fullstock, 2 piece, select hardwood. 2 3/4" drop, 12 3/4" trigger pull. Barrel is .50 caliber 33 1/2" octagon. 7/8" flats. Buttoned rifled. 1 in 66" twist with 8 lands and 8 grooves. Front sight .350"dovetail, steel base w/brass blade. Rear sight .350"dovetail, steel, open style. #11 percussion...

www.dixiegunworks.com

 

[Magyars]

If your looking for a decent Kentucky/Pennsylvania long rifle it's going to be expensive.

Firearms For Sale/Trade/Wanted

Traditional muzzleloading firearms only. No commercial sales. You must have 15 posts AND be a member for 30 days OR be a Supporting Member to post here.

www.muzzleloadingforum.com

 

[DoggyDaddy]

You are approximately three centuries late to the party.

Yes I am a pirate...
Born a hundred years too late.
The cannons don't thunder,
There's nothing to plunder,
I'm an over forty victim of fate.
Arriving too late.
Arriving too late.

 

[fullmetaljesus]

Yes I am a pirate...
Born a hundred years too late.
The cannons don't thunder,
There's nothing to plunder,
I'm an over forty victim of fate.
Arriving too late.
Arriving too late.

Do you know what a pirates favorite letter is?


'p' with out it they would be irate

 

[natdscott]

Mine would be flint.

Likewise.

I’d just never depend on it going “bang” in rough conditions. In a fair number of shots with percussion from #11 through SRP, I’ve had only one (1) “critical” non-bang in probably 22? years shooting front-loading-things.

The coyote lived. I swore.

 

[indyjohn]

If your looking for a decent Kentucky/Pennsylvania long rifle it's going to be expensive.

Firearms For Sale/Trade/Wanted

Traditional muzzleloading firearms only. No commercial sales. You must have 15 posts AND be a member for 30 days OR be a Supporting Member to post here.

www.muzzleloadingforum.com

I would be quite happy with the Rich McDonald .54 cal Virginia style longrifle recreation. Two thousand, nine hundred bones.

 

[Timjoebillybob]

Do you know what a pirates favorite letter is?


'p' with out it they would be irate

But their true love is the 'C'.

 

[Cameramonkey]

Percussion

So do you want a Kentucky long rifle, or a percussion cap black powder rifle? IMHO there is a difference (though I admit I'm no expert)

Isnt a true KLR a period design that predates percussion caps?

I too want one as a flintlock, but two factors prevent me:
-I'm left handed, and like my eyebrows.
-I'm too cheap to pay even more for a pretty salty rifle with left hand lock.

 

[fullmetaljesus]

So do you want a Kentucky long rifle, or a percussion cap black powder rifle? IMHO there is a difference (though I admit I'm no expert)

Isnt a true KLR a period design that predates percussion caps?

I too want one as a flintlock, but two factors prevent me:
-I'm left handed, and like my eyebrows.
-I'm too cheap to pay even more for a pretty salty rifle with left hand lock.

Wikipedia says flint and percussion after a certain year.

I want a long ass muzzle loader that's old or old looking.



I may be able to talk my dad I to letto f me have one of his. The thing is he bought his over 40 years ago and they haven't not been fired or cleaned since he'll probably 1991.

How unsafe would those be provided I gave em a really good cleaning?

 

[Cameramonkey]

Wikipedia says flint and percussion after a certain year.

I want a long ass muzzle loader that's old or old looking.



I may be able to talk my dad I to letto f me have one of his. The thing is he bought his over 40 years ago and they haven't not been fired or cleaned since he'll probably 1991.

How unsafe would those be provided I gave em a really good cleaning?

I'd say perfectly fine so long as there is no rust, etc.

But bear in mind one BP factory just announced it was shutting down. So your BP costs will probably go up. The safety issues/regs of BP over smokeless, combined with the relative lack of use, (and now a crap economy) is really putting a strain on the industry.

So tread lightly if you want to buy new.

 

[Magyars]

I'd say perfectly fine so long as there is no rust, etc.

But bear in mind one BP factory just announced it was shutting down. So your BP costs will probably go up. The safety issues/regs of BP over smokeless, combined with the relative lack of use, (and now a crap economy) is really putting a strain on the industry.

So tread lightly if you want to buy new.

Real BP is 30 a LB.
If you can wait till spring. Go to friendship...lots of new and used rifles prices all over the board.

 

[Magyars]

Wikipedia says flint and percussion after a certain year.

I want a long ass muzzle loader that's old or old looking.



I may be able to talk my dad I to letto f me have one of his. The thing is he bought his over 40 years ago and they haven't not been fired or cleaned since he'll probably 1991.

How unsafe would those be provided I gave em a really good cleaning?

40 years old is fine provided it's not been improperly cleaned.
BP, being hydroscopic can do a lot of damage over the years.

 

[Leadeye]

Real BP is 30 a LB.
If you can wait till spring. Go to friendship...lots of new and used rifles prices all over the board.

This^

Either way a good gun will be expensive, at Friendship you can see and handle some to get an idea what you like and what fits well.

 

[indyartisan]

Do you know what a pirates favorite letter is?


'p' with out it they would be irate

A lot of folks think it is R
But it’s the C