Any Black Powder Builders Here?
- Thread starter Glenfilthie
- Start date
Wow
That is shooting!
I am more of a average shooter ...I am glad to hear there are possibilities of improving my 3'' group at 25m....this would mean I will have to be at the range more often...
Any basic advise?...what makes more difference in attaining best accruacy...powder charge, patch thickness,..??...a combination of all I guess...?
That is shooting!
I am more of a average shooter ...I am glad to hear there are possibilities of improving my 3'' group at 25m....this would mean I will have to be at the range more often...
Any basic advise?...what makes more difference in attaining best accruacy...powder charge, patch thickness,..??...a combination of all I guess...?
Most shooters use FFg in the larger bores. How thick are your patches ?
What do use for patch lube ? How fast is your ignition ? I like using home made targets also, I prefer cross shapes for sighting in, find that works the best for me.
I use .025" patches in my 20ga fowler, can send you some to try if you like.
Have you tried Hoppes # 9 patch lube ? you can shoot all day and never have a fouling problem. Or I make my own lube which works just as good.
13 oz water
3 oz water soluble cutting oil
1 oz Murphys oil soap
Cheers nessy.
What do use for patch lube ? How fast is your ignition ? I like using home made targets also, I prefer cross shapes for sighting in, find that works the best for me.
I use .025" patches in my 20ga fowler, can send you some to try if you like.
Have you tried Hoppes # 9 patch lube ? you can shoot all day and never have a fouling problem. Or I make my own lube which works just as good.
13 oz water
3 oz water soluble cutting oil
1 oz Murphys oil soap
Cheers nessy.
interesting site...
the plot thicken...now wads and card...I will keep this in mind but will first try with thicker patches...was using .010...made for easy loading (bore is .62 and ball .60)...felt like perfect fit but could be a little tighter i guess. I am using crisco lard on the patch. Wonder if I would be using paper cartridge tube as a wad, then patched ball?...will try this next.
thanks
J
the plot thicken...now wads and card...I will keep this in mind but will first try with thicker patches...was using .010...made for easy loading (bore is .62 and ball .60)...felt like perfect fit but could be a little tighter i guess. I am using crisco lard on the patch. Wonder if I would be using paper cartridge tube as a wad, then patched ball?...will try this next.
thanks
J
Very generous of you...
I am using 3f BP, and crisco lard as lube, the patches are mathematically fit for the job; .60 Ball +.010 Patch for a 62 cal... although the ramming seems easy compared to my T/C Hawkens...suppose the absence of rifling makes easier to push down the ball...fouling is not a problem, ignition is something I will try to improve with re-alligning the flint so the scratches on the frixzzen are evenly spread...read that priming powder should be away from touch hole and not so generous...just have to line up the sparks...
Plan to have a go on Sat morning...we have a friedly competition later on in Aug, so pressure is on to settle on some combination that will save the day...
Cheers
J
I am using 3f BP, and crisco lard as lube, the patches are mathematically fit for the job; .60 Ball +.010 Patch for a 62 cal... although the ramming seems easy compared to my T/C Hawkens...suppose the absence of rifling makes easier to push down the ball...fouling is not a problem, ignition is something I will try to improve with re-alligning the flint so the scratches on the frixzzen are evenly spread...read that priming powder should be away from touch hole and not so generous...just have to line up the sparks...
Plan to have a go on Sat morning...we have a friedly competition later on in Aug, so pressure is on to settle on some combination that will save the day...
Cheers
J
IMHO opinion, I would use FFg and a tighter patch, offer still good if you would like some .015" and .025" to try, just pm your address and I'll mail some samples.
Any idea how fast is your lock and ignition. Personally , my accuracy goes out the window with a slow ignition, or do you have access to a video camera ?
What dia. is your vent ? 1/16" (nothing personal
) Can you see powder in the vent after it's loaded ? If you can see kernals of powder in the vent opening, you'll have a very fast ignition .I have some number drills I can lend you also if you want to enlarge the vent.
Cheers nessy.
Any idea how fast is your lock and ignition. Personally , my accuracy goes out the window with a slow ignition, or do you have access to a video camera ?
What dia. is your vent ? 1/16" (nothing personal
) Can you see powder in the vent after it's loaded ? If you can see kernals of powder in the vent opening, you'll have a very fast ignition .I have some number drills I can lend you also if you want to enlarge the vent.Cheers nessy.
Thanks Nessy
I will try with the tighter patches as you suggest, a paper tube as a wad, 3f (for now), and a better alligned flint in the jaw.....my vent hole is a concave type so powder should be near the pan...specially the 3f kernels...I will not modify this touch hole yet,...I have only shot this trade gun a couple of times so far...so tip toe in the tulip...no mods til i give it enough test...glad to hear there is experience help out there...will let you know of this shooting trial for tomorrow.
IMHO opinion, I would use FFg and a tighter patch, offer still good if you would like some .015" and .025" to try, just pm your address and I'll mail some samples.
Any idea how fast is your lock and ignition. Personally , my accuracy goes out the window with a slow ignition, or do you have access to a video camera ?
What dia. is your vent ? 1/16" (nothing personal
Cheers nessy.
I will try with the tighter patches as you suggest, a paper tube as a wad, 3f (for now), and a better alligned flint in the jaw.....my vent hole is a concave type so powder should be near the pan...specially the 3f kernels...I will not modify this touch hole yet,...I have only shot this trade gun a couple of times so far...so tip toe in the tulip...no mods til i give it enough test...glad to hear there is experience help out there...will let you know of this shooting trial for tomorrow.
smoothie
JaquesT
Take this mans advise and you will find that 3" groups are not unreasonable that .010" patch that you are using is the correct thickness, the issue is that with the smoothbore and the thinner patch they tend to burn up in a nice neat ring right at the contact point with the bbl. The wad will prevent this from happening and you will see a marked improvement in your accuracy. The lubed wads also help with the fouling.GOOD LUCK!
Since I saw a post re: patch lubes heres mine
melt1 cup pure beeswax with about 1/1/4 cups of pure neatsfoot oil
mix well and cool, (consistancy can be adjusted by adding more or less oil)
Its an old recipe but seems to work real well on a patch or wad
JaquesT
Take this mans advise and you will find that 3" groups are not unreasonable that .010" patch that you are using is the correct thickness, the issue is that with the smoothbore and the thinner patch they tend to burn up in a nice neat ring right at the contact point with the bbl. The wad will prevent this from happening and you will see a marked improvement in your accuracy. The lubed wads also help with the fouling.GOOD LUCK!
Since I saw a post re: patch lubes heres mine
melt1 cup pure beeswax with about 1/1/4 cups of pure neatsfoot oil
mix well and cool, (consistancy can be adjusted by adding more or less oil)
Its an old recipe but seems to work real well on a patch or wad
Glenfilthie
I hate to be a downer but for a first build that is a fairly complicated rifle and also a very specific rifle. If you want a historicly accurate copy of a bedford they should be under .45cal which would not meet your hunting requirements. That rifle was specific to a small region in Pa and doesnt allow for much variation, secondly those inlays and patch box are a real pain. I have built about 10 frontloaders now and still don't think Im ready for that one. Track's catalog has a difficulty level in it I think, If you want a long rifle why not try an early tennesse they don't have the inlays and have a simple patchbox and I bet when you are done the first one the inlays will be the least of your concerns.I hunt with a tennese flinter in .54cal and I just love it it has been nicknamed Ole' smokey by my hunting party who insist on using those new fangled inlines and the non-smoking powder. The 54 or 58 will kill a deer at 100 yards no problem. Secondly you should definately make you own accoutrements they don't take long and are rewarding to make. Thats my 2 cents worth good luck
Hi,Filthy
Hi,Filthy
I purchased a kit from Jim Chambers. I had a small part in putting this one together(pass the beer,sand,and metal prep.) I firmly recommend this company.Jim and Barbie are real good to deal with and their products are second to none. Top quality parts make top quality firearms. For a top notch builder to assemble complete in the white is 15- 20 hours. For me, 100-200 hours,LOL! Honestly,you get what ya payfore in this game.JMHO
go to www.flintlocks.com
Hi,Filthy
I purchased a kit from Jim Chambers. I had a small part in putting this one together(pass the beer,sand,and metal prep.) I firmly recommend this company.Jim and Barbie are real good to deal with and their products are second to none. Top quality parts make top quality firearms. For a top notch builder to assemble complete in the white is 15- 20 hours. For me, 100-200 hours,LOL! Honestly,you get what ya payfore in this game.JMHO
go to www.flintlocks.com
Last edited:
For me ,link goes to some business solutions page , no flinters anywhere ?
I ordered a 40 cal Late Lancaster from Pecatonica River,Took over 3 months to get here. I would call once a week, and get aa different story as to why they couldn't send it They sent the wrong buttplate and triggerguard, 5 weeks later and I'm still waiting for the replacements.
They are undoubtably the worst business I've ever dealt with.
Cheers nessy
They sent the wrong buttplate and triggerguard, 5 weeks later and I'm still waiting for the replacements.They are undoubtably the worst business I've ever dealt with.
Cheers nessy
So things have changed at pecatonica then Nessy? Did the friend who recommended them to you actually ever order from them?
I will be ordering a kit soon (first muzzleloader ever) and definitely don't want to have an experience like that. So several positive votes for Track of the Wolf, Jim Chambers (if his site returns) and NorthStarWest. I was also looking at a place called Dunlap Woodcrafts. Has anyone heard anything, good or bad, about this place?
I will be ordering a kit soon (first muzzleloader ever) and definitely don't want to have an experience like that. So several positive votes for Track of the Wolf, Jim Chambers (if his site returns) and NorthStarWest. I was also looking at a place called Dunlap Woodcrafts. Has anyone heard anything, good or bad, about this place?
i ordered my rigby sporting rifle from pecatonica(as they were the only ones that had the 1-18 twist barrel i wanted) it took me 4 months to get my stuff, and one returned stock (was ether broken durring shipment, or when they made it) it took 4 months to get most of the hardware, as the breech and other hardware was being made at the foundery, i called them once a week like Nessy but got the same story every week so i was happy to accept that as the problem.
if i could have gotton the same barrel from track of the wolf i would have got the kit they have, pecatonica didnt send anything but finnishing nails to use as pins, track actualy seems to send along pins that look like pins and not nails they picked up from the local hardware store.
if i could have gotton the same barrel from track of the wolf i would have got the kit they have, pecatonica didnt send anything but finnishing nails to use as pins, track actualy seems to send along pins that look like pins and not nails they picked up from the local hardware store.
God buddy Mike, built a couple of their guns and a rifle, don't recall him having any problems with them. My beef with them is their BS, everytime I called them, they said they were shipping it out in a couple of weeks, and always a different reason why it wasn't ready.Right now I have a stock that has been inlet for a trigger guard and butt plate that were to small for it I'm hoping when the new parts get here they will still fit.
Next time I'll think I'll go with Jim Chambers.
Cheers nessy.
I'm hoping when the new parts get here they will still fit.Next time I'll think I'll go with Jim Chambers.
Cheers nessy.
Jim Chambers web page is back up. I have put together 3 of his kits. One fowler. One pistol and the last one was the English sporting rifle in .58.Handles beautifuly and the last 3 shots i fired at 75 yards were in the 2 inch red target. What was more amazing my spouse cliped the 2 inch target at 50 yards and she had never fired a flintlock rifle before. She said it was easy on the other hand I still have trouble with flintlocks.
