45 Caliber Target Rifle

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Yes, thanks, I am aware of the original application of false muzzles under Clarke’s US patent. However, as later applied to British match rifles with slip fit paper patched bullets, they protected the muzzle from loading and cleaning rods. False muzzles evolved in other ways too in the US - where a cross patch could be used when loading, which folded around the bullet.

David
Hi David, I thought some of the makers in the UK used a choked bore as well, but I am not certain of this.

With my paper patched slug rifles once the guide starter pushes the patched bullet through the choke (about 3"-4") it rides on the lands the rest of the way down with very little effort. Modern rifles may be set up differently but the old rifles I shoot and have seen have all been set up in this manner.

I have used rifles (picket) with an oiled cloth patch and slug rifles using cross paper patch and Chase patch. I am not aware of any original slug rifles that used a wrapped paper patch or grease grooved bullet, but Peter Reinhart (and possibly others) made rifles using an oiled cross cloth patch.

Match shooters at Friendship over the years began using loading muzzles on round ball rifles to prevent muzzle wear but in the old days these were never used on roundball rifles.
 
Hi David, I thought some of the makers in the UK used a choked bore as well, but I am not certain of this.

With my paper patched slug rifles once the guide starter pushes the patched bullet through the choke (about 3"-4") it rides on the lands the rest of the way down with very little effort. Modern rifles may be set up differently but the old rifles I shoot and have seen have all been set up in this manner.

I have used rifles (picket) with an oiled cloth patch and slug rifles using cross paper patch and Chase patch. I am not aware of any original slug rifles that used a wrapped paper patch or grease grooved bullet, but Peter Reinhart (and possibly others) made rifles using an oiled cross cloth patch.

Match shooters at Friendship over the years began using loading muzzles on round ball rifles to prevent muzzle wear but in the old days these were never used on roundball rifles.
I don’t recall seeing any British roundball sporting rifles with false muzzles.

False muzzles we’re used on British long range match rifles, such as the Gibbs-Metford and Rigby. They fired typically 530+ grain paper patched bullets that were a slip fit - bores not choked. They were generally a simple bayonet fitting. I am aware of some of the heavy barrelled US match rifles having pins to locate the false muzzle and align rifling. The long range match rifles had a 10lb weight limit, and as noted in earlier posts, insofar as the false muzzle it was to protect the muzzle from wear. British and American rifles evolved differently in these respects I think.

David
 
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