Ardesa Spain .50 caliber flintlock touch hole liner size

[GEdward]

I inherited an "Ardesa Spain .50 Cal. Black Powder Only" Flintlock. I've shot it and wanted to do a complete clean up. Well the touch hole liner is stuck. I don't know why or how. The rifle has not been used for a long time. There is some very minor surface rust. It could be any of the problems mentioned in any of the previous threads going back to the beginning. I've read a few old threads on how to remove a seized, stuck, rusted, ornery touch hole liner. I'm going the Kroil route initially and will progress from there.

All that being said, once it's out I will likely replace it. The issue is I have no idea what size replacement to get. There is no model name or number anywhere on the rifle. If anyone knows the size liner please let me know. I've included a pic of the rifle just in case you have one like it and have any or all info on it. It's the one on the bottom.

Thanks

G. Ed

 

[nhmoose]

IMHO you will have to measure the threads of the one you take out or the threads in the hole.
The inside end of the liner will have to be fit to the bore.

 

[flconch53]

Been many discussions pro and con about whether or not you should try to remove the touch hole liner when cleaning. I am in the don't group. If it is stuck leave it alone because I am willing to bet you don't know what the breach structure is inside. I don't off the top of my headTo get it out you will probably have to drill it out and then install a properly sized one if you can get it. To clean carefully insert a toothpick in the touch and put some warm water soak then dump out the water and clean it with cleaner of your choice

 

[Rebel]

Most likely a 5-.8mm but that is not a for sure. Track has them. What cal. is the Renegade?

 

[GEdward]

Been many discussions pro and con about whether or not you should try to remove the touch hole liner when cleaning. I am in the don't group. If it is stuck leave it alone because I am willing to bet you don't know what the breach structure is inside. I don't off the top of my headTo get it out you will probably have to drill it out and then install a properly sized one if you can get it. To clean carefully insert a toothpick in the touch and put some warm water soak then dump out the water and clean it with cleaner of your choice

As far as cleaning, I've seen videos by folks who "poo-poo" traditional cleaners. What do you use? What does anyone else use too?

 

[Rebel]

Toothpick in vent hole then warm water and patches, dry with patches, then WD-40 and patch. I know some will disagree but 50+ years of BP shooting and no rusty bores.

 

[Des52]

Warm water, patches until clean and dry, a patch with alcohol, then I blow dry with my air compresser. Then oil patch with Barricade. Same for the lock.

 

[GEdward]

OK, I'm now leaning toward leaving it in. As long as I can clean it well enough without "pulling the plug" I'll be happy.

All opinions are welcome. If there is someone who thinks I should pull it, let me know.

 

[D Yager]

I wouldn't pull it. Check the size of the hole, a drill bit shank is one way. I like my touch hole size to be around .070. Gives good fast reliable ignition, just don't stand next to it when it goes off.

 

[GEdward]

The ignition was near instantaneous, when I shot it.

 

[flconch53]

The ignition was near instantaneous, when I shot it.

Sounds like the old if it ain't broke don't fix it

 

[GEdward]

Most likely a 5-.8mm but that is not a for sure. Track has them. What cal. is the Renegade?

.50 caliber.

 

[Rebel bull]

your Ardessa is made to be cleaned by pulling the wedge/key and putting the breech in a bucket and water pump it with water hot enough to make the barrel uncomfortable to hold wipe it out with dry patches until dry then lube with your favorite lube mine is wonder lube and have never had a barrel in 35+yrs.

 

[flconch53]

your Ardessa is made to be cleaned by pulling the wedge/key and putting the breech in a bucket and water pump it with water hot enough to make the barrel uncomfortable to hold wipe it out with dry patches until dry then lube with your favorite lube mine is wonder lube and have never had a barrel in 35+yrs.

That is right I forgot that those have a barrel key. Problem solved

 

[GEdward]

your Ardessa is made to be cleaned by pulling the wedge/key and putting the breech in a bucket and water pump it with water hot enough to make the barrel uncomfortable to hold wipe it out with dry patches until dry then lube with your favorite lube mine is wonder lube and have never had a barrel in 35+yrs.

This is why I wanted to remove the touch hole liner. I can't imagine enough soapy water being pulled up or pushed out to clean it out.

 

[deerstalkert]

there will be plenty of water drawn in via the pump action.
I never remove the liners on my rifles, but i did buy one of those rare earth magnet with tube attached gizmos that i use with my pinned barreled rifles. start with a wet patch and it draws enough water to get me wet.
I do like those Ardessa's.

 

[Grenadier1758]

I agree with @deerstalkert. I do not remove my touch hole liners. I have used the clamp on device to draw soapy water into my barrel and I also have the rare earth magnet attachment. I get plenty of water drawn into the barrel through the flash channel.

Note: A properly installed White Lightning Touch Hole Liner will have the raised portion used to install the liner removed so the liner can not be removed for cleaning. So, @GEdward, there is more than enough soapy water pulled through the touch hole to clean the barrel and the chambered breech of one's firearm.

 

[GEdward]

Any links on the suction devices? I'll try a search too.

 

[Grenadier1758]

@GEdward, here in the quote is a link to the supplier, Dave Criselli.

Since I don't think there is any benefit to removing a touch hole liner for cleaning, I don't want to recommend a threaded touch hole flushing kit for cleaning a flint lock firearm. For years I have gotten acceptable results using a toothpick to plug the touch hole and taking care to have the touch hole positioned so any leakage is caught in a towel or will drip away from the stock.

I will recommend the magnetic touch hole flush kit developed by Dave Criselli at the Lucky Dog. The best part of the magnetic attachment is that there is no worry about thread sizes. You do have to watch to be sure the gasket on the magnet covers up a screw slot (if present).

THE LUCKY BAG