Anyone ever built a Kentucky Rifle?

[scoutsniper687]

I've been thinking about buying one of these kits and using it for hunting here in Idaho. I've seen some say to opt for a better kit as these "Traditions" can be a pain in the arse. Any thoughts, anyone ever completed one?

https://www.cabelas.com/product/TRADITIONS-KENTUCKY-RIFLE-KIT/1641445.uts

[Subotai]

I had one bought from the store as a completed rifle. It shot nice. I did read about some of them having problems with cracks in the barrel from too much powder. I think my paperwork recommended up to 100 or 110 grains powder. After the issue was found, I think the company recommended 80 or less grains. Do your homework and see if this issue still exists. I think the barrels are made in Spain. But, like I said, I owned it a while ago and don't remember the exact story.

[arrowshooter]

I have one that I built many many years ago and still enjoy shooting it. Though I do not hunt with it, it is plenty accurate to do so. The kit itself went together easy, with the finish work being the most time consuming.

[Alan Block]

You are going to putting a lot of effort into this. It would be better to start with a quality kit. See Track of the Wolf
TVM
Chambers or many others.

[mikeyr]

Not built one...built MANY.

Started way back with a Tompson/Center Hawken kit, pretty much a slap it together and shoot kit, done a Traditions kit, less prepared than TC but good shooter. Then I went crazy and built one from scratch, bought a barrel/lock/trigger and chunk of wood, then another chunk because i really screwed up on the first, came out looking ok and shot great.

Currently building a Southern rifle from Jim Kibler in .36cal, best kit I have ever gotten, really well done and designed, https://www.jimkibler.net/ I am also going to get his Colonial rifle in .54cal after this one is done and on that kit he even offers a assembled "in-the-white" version so you just have to finish it. His kits are pretty near "in-the-white" already with almost everything you could mess up already drilled or taken care of.

[M1NM]

Track of the Wolf - one stop shopping.
I was going to build a replica of my wife's ggetc grandfathers rifle but realized way beyond my skill level of stock carving. Lower one in picture http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/...?topic=35401.0


Good article: http://www.americanhistoricservices....1to11_lres.pdf

[scoutsniper687]

Some really good info and suggestions. Thanks guys! I am going to look into this. I am young, but this kind of stuff is keeps growing on my the older and older I get.