Muzzleloader Kit

[chucker34]

I saw this feature piece on assembling your own muzzleloader in Field and Stream this month. You basically buy a kit that give you all the pieces, which you have to finish and assemble - i.e., blueing the barrel and "white" metal parts, polishing the brass, sanding, finishing, and sealing the stock, and even filing some of the metal parts to smooth custom fit. Looks like a lot of fun actually, but anyone have any experience with this or have any pros/cons of "traditional" muzzleloaders they'd like to share.

I'm completely new to muzzleloading but if I were to order one of these kits, I'd get percussion one instead of a flintlock. And I'd probably do everything myself except for the blueing. I might take that to the gunsmith in town to avoid all the swearing and frustration on my end. LOL.

[BLACKJACK]

chucker, looks like you're not getting much discusion on your kit!! I think the problem is that its too easy to buy a ready to go muzzleloader for less than $200.

I've thought about getting a muzzleloader but I already bowhunt and don't want to have to pick up more gear and master/practice with another weapon.

Good luck!!

[chucker34]

Thanks BlackJack. I decided to post in the archery and shooting forum to see if I'd get some more responses and I did get a lot of good ones. I also posted this on another national board and got a lot of good ones.

The consensus was that building your own can be rewarding and satisfying when you take a deer with it. But that it's a lot of work and if you're not willing to do it, its cheaper and easier to buy the same ML already made.

If I do this, which I hopefully will, I'll do it for the challenge and because I think it will be as much a piece of art as it will be a hobby and hunting weapon. If I only ever take a few deer with it or only use it hunting a few times, so be it. I think it would be cool to have on the wall and take down for regular trips to the range.