Accidently Bought a Rifle

[rowdyjoe]

On the recommendation of a fellow ML shooter at our club, I recently bought .495 balls (Hornady swaged). I've been using .490 (Speer swaged) and I think they are not tight enough in bore with an .011" compressed patch. I'll give the larger balls a try on my next trip to the range.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

What type patch are you using? Might need to go thicker. How do your recovered patches look?

 

[rowdyjoe]

Yeah, that's what I figure too. Recovered patches look blown out and burned.
If they look the same after trying the .495 balls, I may have to go with a thicker patch too. I'm trying to fix one issue at a time.

 

[rowdyjoe]

Went to the range for the first time in a month or so. My back issue is much better although not completely healed. The two targets posted here show the results of a tighter fitting ball/patch combo. One shows the results of .495 RB using a ticking patch and the other shows the results of a .490 RB using a Tshirt patch. Both patch types were lubed with a water/Ballistol mix.
These targets show a vast improvement over the first batch using .490 RB and thin ticking patches.
Both combinations fit tighter down the bore but, I think there is room for improvement. Next trip I'll be testing the .495 RB with the thicker Tshirt patch. If tighter is better, that should do the trick. Smile
One issue I'm still having is blown out patches. Not just burned ....blown out. The entire center of every patch was blown completely out. Not sure what's causing that but, I've read that it's not a good thing.
Anyway, here's the targets. Notice i didn't try to adjust the sights. I was happy it was finally grouping. Next time I'll give some "left" and see what happens.

 

[rowdyjoe]

Ooooops ! Thought I deleted this post because I couldn't get the pictures to post. Oh well, when I figure out how, I'll post them. My previous method doesn't seem to want to work now. ????

Think I found it.

https://1drv.ms/f/s!AlRP8fVClrIXed0TkLHwoi-_wVY

 

[Zonie]

IMO, the word "T shirt" and patch don't go together unless we are talking about a cleaning patch.

T shirts are made for lightweight comfort. The material doesn't have the strength to withstand a blast for fire and flame plus several fairly sharp edged rifling grooves trying their best to tear it apart while the cloth is trying its best to make the ball spin when the gun fires.

 

[rowdyjoe]

Good point. Thanks
In that case, I would assume the ticking material I bought is not tough enough either. I need to make another trip to the fabric store.

This old rifle barrel is pitted, especially near the muzzle, and I'm thinking that the roughness has something to do with the patch condition? Is there a way to smooth it out some? I plan to replace the barrel in the next few months but, would like to keep shooting in the meantime.

I was amazed to be getting any kind of group with patches in that condition.

 

[cynthialee]

the title kills me...

"I accidently bought a rifle..."

If I ever said something like that to Sevan I think I'd just get the long stare and told 'that duck don't fly'

:haha: :haha:

 

[Jay Dobro]

I've followed this post from day one, both with enjoyment with all the experienced help and information you couldn't buy should you try, also with much amusement. JMOWP, I've had a Thompson/Center Hawken .45 I bought in 1971 and have shot quite a bit with the only replacement needed was a new nipple. Yeh, I'm still waiting for the coil spring to give out because is getting much easier and smoother to cock, but still fires the old girl. I do have a lead to a replacement quality lock, 'ceptin for the flat spring. Enjoy the fun you're having' for the low bucks. Don't think many low buck projects are left today.

 

[rowdyjoe]

Yep, this thread started out as ML 101 and has progressed through ML 401 thanks to the ML PHDs in the bunch who are willing to share their knowledge with a thick-headed rookie using patience and understanding.
I've been an instructor and training development specialist for the military and the Aerospace industry for over 40yrs and I'm the first one to admit that I'm a lousy student. So, the folks who have guided (herded?) me through all that's gone on here have definitely earned their pay.

Thanks to all who have persevered.

Glad you got something out of it too ....and you're right, this kind of knowledge and expertise is priceless.

BTW ....after I replace the barrel, I'll still have less money in this rifle than I'd pay for a new one. The only thing that will be original will be the stock, brass furniture, and ram-rod.

 

[rowdyjoe]

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[rowdyjoe]

The range session today verified my suspicion that the bore of this rifle is too rough and tearing the patches apart as they exit the barrel. I tried 3 different thicknesses of denim (.012", .013", & .017" compressed) and they were all torn up just like the ticking and Tshirt material ....a hole right through the middle of the patch. So, I'll be replacing the barrel sooner than planned.

 

[cynthialee]

get some fine grit lapping compound put it on a patch and go at the bore carefully about 100 strokes. Be careful to not rub on the muzzle unevenly. Should help with that patch tearing issue.

 

[rowdyjoe]

Thanks for that tip but, I've decided to replace the barrel right away. If Deer Creek has the one I need, I'll order it tomorrow (Monday).

 

[rowdyjoe]

Wow, didn't realize I haven't updated this thread in so long. Time flys when you're having fun they say.
The barrel has been replaced with a new one from Deer Creek. The barrel came with all holes drilled and dovetails cut.
I removed the sights from the old barrel and mounted them on the new one but, the wedge bracket was already installed. I had to shim both sights to take up the .007" to .008" gaps. The barrel has been coated with DuraBlue and it's a tough, good looking finish.
The new barrel is everything the old one wasn't. It's very smooth to load and it shoots very accurately. No more blown out patches.
I'm still working on accuracy but, it's producing groups less than 2 inches at 75yds when I do my part. I feel confident it will do better so, there's more work to be done.
I cast my first batch of .495" RB and shot a few yesterday (Friday) at the range. I weighed each ball and sorted them in to 2 groups. 1) 182 - 183 grains and 181 - 181.8 grains. They shoot as well at the factory Hornady swaged RBs I've been shooting but, they are very soft and easily damaged. I need to be more careful when starting them at the muzzle and need to be sure to seat them down the bore without pounding. Deformation makes for poor accuracy.

Fun, fun, fun! Weather is cooling down and being outdoors is getting more comfortable. I see many happy range sessions ahead for me and "Old Thumper" this fall.

 

[hanshi]

Sounds like a winner!

 

[rowdyjoe]

I think so too.

On Oct. 1, I finished 2nd in my first local monthly club match and was pleasantly surprised. I had not shot this rifle at 25yds or 75yds and this match had targets at both distances. This was also the first time I fired this rifle off-hand (25yds).

The FUN has begun.