I find myself once again pondering another rifle build. At the top of my list is a Jim Kibler Southern Mountain Rifle, which I would build as either a .32 or .36 caliber "squirrel rifle". These are, of course, properly outfitted as flintlocks, although he will sell parts to build them as percussion rifles. Kind of heresy in my opinion - it would have to be a flinter for me.
So, with this in mind, I figured I should probably unlimber my one and only flintlock, the only one I have ever owned. After a brief fling with it when I first acquired it in the 1980's, it's been pretty much relegated to display over the fireplace. Oh, I take it down and shoot it every now and then, but not like my other rifles. I wanted to get back into it to see if I am really up for another flinter, or if I just think they look pretty. They can try one's patience, there is no doubt about that...
Well, after a few range sessions with it, I can say I had an unexpectedly good time. I think maybe with age I've slowed down a bit, gotten more methodical, and more careful in my loading routine. With that change in attitude and approach, the old frustrations appear a thing of the past. These things are actually pretty darn reliable, when treated properly.
I find I like the weight and balance of this rifle. A lot. It is much slimmer, much more "petite" than the Hawken I built last year. It only weighs about nine pounds to the Hawken's darn near twelve. It sports a 41 1/2" long barrel, with a straight, untapered octagon profile of only 7/8" across the flats. The Hawken, in contrast, has a 34" tapered octagon barrel, which starts out at 1 1/8" across the flats at the breach end and tapers to just over 1" at the muzzle. The Southern Mountain Rifle is more the "rapier" to the Hawken's "broadsword".
The pictures don't really capture the difference in size and cross section as well as I had hoped, but here's a few anyway. Beyond just the heavier barrel profile, the stock on the Hawken is far more robust as well. The difference between the one intended to be used in the relatively settled East, the other in the untamed West, a thousand miles from any help:
