Patch and Twist rate help S Smith and Sons about 1835

V

Vaterslote

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Belleville, On
I bought a S Smith and Sons rifle at on online auction. It was listed as a 54 cal but no go. Sent a chunk of lead into the rifling and pulled it back out and it measures 50 cal (not 54 as advertised). I tried projectiles but no accuracy at all. Went to .490 round ball. Loads way to easy wth .14 as well at .19 patches. Patches are also burning out (i have smouldering video proof) or any I can find are completely shredded around the edges. Most patches are non-existent on the ground. And YES…I have really searched. But only found 6 of 30plus shots. I have pictures of the few I have found. Hopefully one posted on this thread

I am wondering about finding some .495 balls to try… but wondering about double patching the balls with 2 of the .14 (.28)

AND; i checked the twist tonight and I find it hard to believe that it is 1:120 (1/4 turn at 30”). This slow twist makes sense for the round ball accuracy but seems awfully slow… but looking for some ideas on the patches. There was a lot os rust inside the barrel when I acquired it. I do not have a bore scope but have done a fair bit of cleaning and hand polishing where patches are actually running smoothly now.

I have extensively shot 1:48 TC products and the patches did not have the issues I am having with this rifle. They came out with crisp marks and firm edges.
View attachment 540445
 
You may have a very rough bore and your patches are tearing on the rifling .
Have you tried polishing it with JB's?
I had the same thing going on with one of my rifles and that straightened it out.
Cat
 
Took a few shots with double patch measuring .30 plus the .490 ball. Re-‘slugged’ the barrel and measuring .510
I was actually able to find the patches (yippie) and no burn through.
I tried to double patch the thicker pillow tick patches but too hard to load. The .30 was tight but doable so I will try a few more of those on another day. Does anyone know of a place or ‘caster’ with a .500 RB mold near Brantford or Belleville. I’d even buy a few to to try since my barrel is measuring over .500 at .510.
I dont’ have much space left for images here so PM me if you’d like to see some
 
Cat,

I did a fair bit of polishing with JB. As you will see from an updated post it may have been that but also and more likely loose patches. Doubled up my thinner patch to .30 and was able to find patches on the ground that resembled more of what I was used too. Thanking you for the input.
 
you might try a .025 denim patch with the 490 ball and also try a measure of corn meal on top of the powder to reduce blow bye of hot gasses as well as allowing the ball to be seated farther forward where the roughness may be less. Finally I would try a thick patch dressed with valve grinding compound on a bronze brush type bore brush to smooth out the bore. The valve grinding compound removes very little metal but does smooth the bore a little bit. Also Jeff Tanner in England makes molds to any diameter desired and be sure to specify whether you are casting pure lead or an alloy because of different amounts of shrinkage

cheers mooncoon
 
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