I’m relatively new to building muzzleloaders, but I have learned quickly that there is a wide range of skills required to successfully build a traditional muzzleloader that is period correct. If you have machinist skills and tools then you have a big advantage when learning how to build a kit.
There are a lot of people that would love to build a muzzleloader, but are afraid to take on a project that they are not skilled enough to finish. I would like to help these folks take the leap into this world by showing them that there are kits available for every skill set.
Here is how I would rate the skill level required to build a muzzleloader kit on a scale of 1-5.
1 – The gun is fully assembled but is in the white. This means that the wood and metal needs to be sanded or filed and then stained or blued or browned. Need to be able to disassemble and reassemble and you get to select the color and look that the finished product has. Cost for this option is higher because your paying for a craftsman to build the rifle. Probably 5-10 hours to finish the kit.
2 – All the parts for the kit are preselected for you and are very close to fitting together with minimal wood removal. The inletting is 99% completed, likely with a CNC machine so that the parts fit very close. I would rate the Jim Kibler kits into this group. Probably about 25-30 hours to assemble and finish the wood and metal to have a completed project.
3– Stock not made on CNC machine so more work to fit parts. Stock is about 95% completed. Barrel can have some of the machinist work done, like dove tail cuts. Holes can be drilled and tapped, Tang and breach plug is connected to the barrel. Estimate 50-100 hours to complete.
4 – The kit is selected with parts that reproduce a period correct gun. The stock is shaped and inlet to 90% complete. The barrel will need dovetails cut in for the sights and lugs. There is about 1/8” of extra wood that will need to be shaped on the stock to fit the barrel and all hardware to fit. Breach plug needs to be installed to barrel. Holes will need to be drilled and tapped. Estimate 200-300 hours to build.
5 – You begin with a blank chunk of wood, and select the barrel, lock, trigger, and all hardware yourself to match a period correct rifle that you are trying to duplicate. This is the ultimate in succeeding as a custom muzzleloader builder. Carving and engraving are often seen at this level. Estimate likely more than 300 hours to build.
The estimated time to complete is based on your skill set and the tools you have to work with. Some may build a level 5 rifle in much less time because they are very experienced.
Track of the Wolf offers kits that cover a wide range of skill sets. They offer services where they will do some of the harder assembly work for you to make the kit easier.
Please provide where you prefer to buy your kits and rate the skill level required to assemble them (1-5). I’ll share this information with everyone.
Rifle and Pistol Kit Suppliers
Abe’s General Store
Skill Level: 3
Products: Traditions kits
Deer Creek Products
Skill Level: 3
Products: CVA Parts, Traditions Kits, Pedersoli Rifles and Kits
Dixon’s Muzzleloading Shop Inc.
Skill Level: 3-4
Products: Muzzleloader Parts
Dixie Gun Works
Skill Level: 3-4
Products: Gunsmithing-Building, Traditions, Dixie, Lyman, Pedersoli Kits
Hinterland Outfitters
Skill Level: 3
Products: Traditions Rifle Kits
Jedediah Starr Trading Company
Skill Level: 3-4
Products: Gun Kits, Gunsmith Services
Jim Chambers Flintlocks
Skill Level: 3-4
Products: Rifles, Locks, Pistols and Parts
Jim Kibler Flintlocks
Skill Level: 1-2
Products: Flintlock CNC Rifle Kits – Colonial and Southern Mountain, CNC Flintlock
Kashtuk Bowcraft Gunworks
Skill Level:
Products: Guns and Pistols, Northwest Trade Gun, Tennessee Long Rifle, Virginia-Lancaster Longrifle, Leman Trade Gun
Log Cabin Shop
Skill Level:
Products: Guns and Gun Parts, Lyman and Traditions Muzzleloaders
Main Street Muzzleloaders
Skill Level:
Products: Traditional Muzzleloader Rifles and Pistols
Muzzleloading and More
Skill Level:
Products: Rifles, Pistols
October Country
Skill Level:
Products: Rifle and Pistol Kits
Taylor’s & Company
Skill Level:
Products: Black Powder Rifles
Traveler’s Antiques and Trading Co.
Skill Level:
Products: Uberti Revolvers, Pedersoli Rifles
Tennessee Valley Muzzleloading
Skill Level:
Products: Rifle and Smoothbore Kits
The Gun Works Muzzleloading Emporium
Skill Level:
Products: Custom and Production Guns
The Possible Shop
Skill Level:
Products: Cap & Ball Pistols, Muzzleloaders and Kits
The Hawken Shop
Skill Level:
Products: Hawken Rifle Kits, Locks, Breeches, Tangs.
The Rifle Shoppe
Skill Level:
Products: Rifles and Pistols
Track of the Wolf
Skill Level: 3-4
Products: Guns, Gun and Pistol Kits, Gun Parts, Gunsmithing
Traditions Firearms
Skill Level:
Products: Muzzleloaders, Pistols, and Kits
