And now for something not-quite-entirely different.
We drew permits for hunting mule deer this fall with muzzleloaders. My family has done this for many years, but for whatever reason I didn't have a muzzleloader of my own. So....time to build one. I could have bought an in-line muzzleloader, but we like the old-fashioned Hawken-style rifles. You can call it nostalgia or stupidity or whatever, but I think they're more fun.
There are a few options available for Hawken-style kits but i think Lyman might be the best compromise between quality and price. Traditions rifles seem to shoot fine, but the materials, fit, and finish can be lacking that last little bit. Pedersoli guns are nice but more expensive.
I went with this one:
Now all I have to do is turn all those parts into a working gun. I have a couple of months to get it done, but it should go fairly quickly. There is a little inletting and fitting work to do, but most of it is done already so the remaining fitting shouldn't take too long.
Most of the time will be in shaping and contouring the stock. One that's all done I'll finish the metal parts and blue them.
Should be a fun project.
The ramrod has to go away though. Wood ramrods are of the devil. They will eventually break or at least splinter and skewer your hand. It will be replaced with a good fiberglass rod, or maybe Delrin. Neither are very expensive.