FINALE: Let's Build a Traditions St. Louis Hawken | How-To Series Part 9: Final Assembly

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We got this kit from Flintlocks LLC, visit them on flintlocksllc
This was the 2nd muzzleloader kit I’ve assembled, the first being an old CVA Derringer kit from the 80s, and I have to say I’ve had a lot of fun. I was a little nervous when I started the kit and wanted to make sure I didn’t mess it up, but I have to say I’m pleased with the result. This is a simple, affordable kit that goes together nicely as long as you take your time and pay attention to the building process.
One of these Traditions kits is an easy and affordable way to get started in muzzleloading. I’ve spoken to older shooters who started with a very similar kit in the 70s and 80s and while they still bring out their Hawken kit gun from time to time to relive those great memories.
I’m not bothered too much by the plastic sights, they are made of durable plastic, and didn’t break under any stress that I put them under in the shop. If they really bug you, a set of iron sights are available from many retailers and can be mailed to your door for less than $30. Looking back on the kit, I think it would be nice to see either the machining on the trigger guard inlet adjusted, or the trigger guard casting adjusted to match up better. I had a large gap in the inletting that I fixed by stretching the guard, but not many builders are going to want to risk breaking their trigger guard to get rid of that gap. Tightening up that game on the production side would help new kit builders have an even nicer first muzzleloader.
All in all, I’m very pleased with this kit. Is it as nice as a custom-built muzzleloader? No, but it’s not one. Many of the bad reviews on these kits unfairly compare them to a more expensive muzzleloader and that’s just not fair. This is a fun kit to build, gives you a nice place to get started, and will burn powder with the best of them.
Later this month I’ll be digging out some lead and powder and showing you how I develop a load for a new muzzleloader, where I get supplies, and how to make some of the accessories to go with it.
In this multi-part video series, NMLRA Field Agent Ethan shows you how to build a Traditions St. Louis Hawken muzzleloading kit from start to finish. These are entry-level kits and offer anyone interested in muzzleloading an affordable and simple way to build their own muzzleloader.
If you are new to the series, be sure to visit our channel and head back to part 1 to follow along step by step as we build this kit from start to finish. Our goal is to make a comprehensive video series to accompany the instructions provided by Traditions Performance Firearms.
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[@freddieh5539]

I bought this same kit a couple of years ago, and the build results were good. Also bought my grandson a pistol kit and deerstalker rifle kit. I've gotta say, shooting muzzleloaders is about the most fun you can have with your pants on.

[@JeffandLeslie]

Even when you get your metal final sight, always cut the sight's dovetail to match what is in the barrel vs. the other way around. A new sight is a lot less expensive than a new barrel and it is a whole lot less work to file the sight's dovetail than it is to make a new sight from a piece of steel.... (yes, experience speaking here).

[@hawkenrifles]

Dear Friend. You have a very nice rifle. As this rifle is manufactured in Spain by Ardesa and I know it well, since I have it in caliber 54, allow me to give you some advice. Change the sights for iron ones, buckhorn type, adjustable in height and also manufactured by Ardesa-Traditions. Put a good wooden ramrod, 10 or 11 millimeters thick. Beech wood can be better protected with linseed oil. Tighten the nipple a little more. You can reinforce the bottom of the stock with a brass toeplate purchased from Track of the Wolf. That rifle works great with real black powder, and 0.490 ball. Since the twist is 48" it is not necessary to use very heavy charges with good Swiss black powder. Use good linen patches, although cotton patches work very well. They must be 0.015 ", that is 3.5 tenths of a millimeter. Very good caps are those of RWS (German) or the equivalent of CCI No. 11 (American). Always fire two caps before loading to clean the nipple hole and side drum of oil. Moisten your patches with saliba or mink oil. You can use either No. 2 (3fff) or No. 3 (2 ff).

[@erikwilson7622]

Loved your comment at the end, it's unique, and it's mine. I just did this build for my son for X-Mas. Your video(s) were great for those "tricky" spots during the build,, ie the barrel tenon, man, that was a bear!

[@neolexington]

Great job, would love to see a blunderbuss build!

[@BillRaby]

Looks nice! Lets see you build the next one from a blank. That is when the real fun starts.

[@blackpowdermaniacshooter]

Great job Ethan....looking forward to the next build....

[@jasonburrell3508]

My son and I are building the same kit. Thank you for all the awesome tips.

[@stewartleach3942]

For a next project, consider the Traditions Kentucky kit, in flintlock form if possible. It has different challenges to be met. I'd like to see how you firm up the joint between the front and rear stock section, and drill for the barrel pins. Consider browning the steel parts, with hot or cold chemicals.

[@michaelhayes7471]

Those guns shoot really well for the money

[@opossumbandit4960]

just ordered a kit and I'm super excited to get building.

[@johnbankston3967]

It came out really nice! Good work and thanks for making an authentic video.

[@cecilboatwright3555]

Nice job!!! I built a Traditions kit a few years ago, and I can't even COUNT how many times I had to do just what you did...pull the barrel back out a bazillion times!!...and I would forget to put the ramrod spring back in too!!! 🤣

[@gabeofalltrades0770]

Loved watching you build this! Thanks so much for taking the time to bring us along with you!🙌🔥

[@A50S2D]

About 1980 I built a T/C Hawken rifle. The brass has aged about like what you have done on this kit. After finishing it and taking it to the range I noticed the sights were a bit wonky and I couldn't get it to shoot straight. I took the barrell to work and placed it on a granite surface plant and indeed the barrell was not straight. I sent it to T/C and received a regular production barrell that works beautifully.

[@marktaylor8659]

Great final video on this build. It looks fantastic. When you change out the sights for metal or more traditional ones, I hope you post a video on that process. I did notice when you were putting the barrel in about timestamp

[@straightpipec6099]

Looks like the blueing came out nice.

[@adrianbenson2521]

Really enjoyed this series and absolutely want to see more of the same. I have the Traditions Mountain rifle flintlock kit thanks to this series and just have to finish collecting the tools I need to get started on it. Looking forward to the shooting and casting videos you mentioned. I just reupped my membership to NMLRA and this kind of content excites me since I can never make it out to Friendship.

[@kurtkemp]

Thanks for doing this series! It helped me greatly and I built mine right along with these videos. I also referred back to a couple of them. Thanks!