faq

Yes! Smokeless powder can be used in our rifles. We suggest using Lyman loading data up to and including starting load data for Ruger #1 and #3 rifles for traditional cartridges ie: 45-70 Government.

Wait times average 12-14 months.  However wait times can vary depending on availability of materials and volume of orders.

We use Green Mountain and McGowan barrels.

Walnut is the primary stock material for our rifles with grades ranging from straight grain to presentation grade.

Straight Grain Walnut contains straight grain structure with no figure or distinct color changes.
Semi Fancy Walnut Contains some character in either figure or color.
Semi Fancy Walnut Contains some character in either figure or color.
Extra Fancy Walnut Good figure or color through approx. 50% of the stock on one or both sides.
XX Fancy Walnut Good figure or color through approx. 75% of the stock on one or both sides.
XXX Fancy Walnut Good figure or color through the entire stock on both sides.
Presentation and Exhibition Grade Walnut 100% full figure on both sides of stock, excellent color and good grain flow.

Iron sighted rifles must not exceed 12.2 pounds with all equipment attached. Scoped Rifles must not exceed 15 pounds with all equipment attached.

Whether you choose a Sharps, Remington or Winchester style single shot rifle there are some things that need to be considered as you build your dream rifle.  We recommend that you first consider what you are going to primarily use your rifle for.

If you are primarily looking for a rifle to hunt with then weight is going to be a consideration.  Most standard barrel rifles weigh in around 8 ½ to 9 pounds.  While this may seem heavy by today’s standards you will find that this weight gives exceptional balance to the rifle and helps to keep recoil tolerable with the larger cartridges typically preferred by hunters. Barrel length and configuration is largely a matter of personal preference on a rifle primarily used for hunting.  Longer barrels may be preferred for target shooting applications as a longer sight radius generally contributes to more accurate sight alignment.

Regarding calibers it is hard to go wrong with the venerable 45/70 Government cartridge as it is still readily available in a wide variety of factory offerings.  Other popular cartridges include the 38/55, 40/65, 40/70 Sharps Straight, 40/90 Sharps Straight, 45/90, 50/70 Government and the 50/90 Sharps straight AKA the “Big .50”.

Stock design is also a matter of personal preference. Butt stock configurations such as the Hartford/ Military butt plate are historically accurate on Sharps rifles as are the semi-crescent butt plates used on Winchester High and Low walls. Experienced shooters will tell you that while both of these historically correct butt plates are entirely suitable for shots at game in the field they are not as comfortable from the bench as the flatter butt plate designs.  Flatter butt plates include the Bridgeport style on Sharps and Winchester style rifles as well as the Long Range Target stock for the Sharps rifle. These styles may be had in a pistol grip configuration as well.

Sights for the hunting rifle can range from the simple blade front and buckhorn rear to the more complex tang rear sight with globe aperture front sight.  Another viable option for the hunting rifle is a reproduction long tube scope such as those offered by Montana Vintage Arms (insert hyper link to MVA).

Rifles that will be primarily used for target shooting run the gamut of style and configuration. Ranging from long range large bore rifles used for Silhouette, Creedmoore or Buffalo Rifle matches to the smaller bore rifles used in shorter range Schuetzen style matches each style of target shooting comes with its own set of rules regarding rifle weight and configuration.

One of the primary considerations in a target rifle is also weight.  However, unlike the hunting rifle, weight of the target rifle is primarily governed by the rule book.  Take for example the sport of NRA Black Powder Cartridge Rifle Silhouette. For the shooter wishing to compete in NRA BPCR matches their rifle must meet the following guidelines: Rifles in the metallic sight category must not exceed a weight of 12.2 pounds with sights attached. Rifles used to compete in the scope sight category of NRA BPCR must be equipped with a period correct scope (either original or a modern replica) and may not exceed 15 pounds with the scope attached.  Popular calibers for NRA BPCR include the various .40 and .45 caliber rifle cartridges with the 40/65 and 45/70 leading the pack.

For the competitor wishing to compete in Buffalo Rifle style matches such as the Matthew Quigley Buffalo Rifle Match the configuration options for a rifle are far wider.  There are no weight restrictions for rifles with the limiting factor being that the competitor must be able to shoot 8 rounds from the standing unsupported position on one of the six targets fired at during the match.  All other targets are fired at with the use of cross sticks from the seated or prone position.

A general rule of thumb is that more weight equals less perceived recoil.  Many of the rifles used at these matches weigh in at 15 pounds or more. Two sight categories are used: Iron Sights and Period Correct Scope Sights. Popular cartridges include the 40-65, 45/70 Government, 45/90 and 45/100.

Schuetzen style rifle matches are governed by a general set of rules set forth by the International Single Shot Association http://www.issa-schuetzen.org/rules-match.html .  While there are no weight restrictions, there are rules regarding stock configuration and sights that will need to be adhered to.  We recommend a careful review of these rules if you are considering competing in the challenging sport of Schuetzenfest. Popular cartridges include the 32/40 and 38/55.

If you have unanswered questions regarding configuring your rifle please feel free to give us a call or send us an email!