atmospheric conditions on percussion sidelocks

[DanHirschberg]

So the scientist in me is interested to know, what do people here think of varying atmospheric conditions, and the effect, on their rifles? I live in Alaska, though in the next two years I will move to Washington state, hopefully out on the Olypmic Peninsula. Here in AK the moisture I doubt (unless current conditions prevail) will be as much of an issue of frozen cold conditions. Have any of you noticed that powder burns differently? Caps fail to fire? Bore conditions change? I'm determined to be an effective hunter using these older rifles; it's not like heading out with a 7mm or .30-06 and being fairly well certain you will not have to worry about weather. I'm curious as to what this factor has for an effect upon fire. Thanks Fellas.

 

[Wes/Tex]

There will be some minor variations encountered, but with black powder velocities and ranges I don't think you'll find enough differences to effect rifle performance as far as game taking abilities is concerned. I have to assume that since you're dealing with similar altitude and relatively similar temps that it's not worth losing any sleep over. Have hunted at different altitudes and humidity levels and haven't found more than minor sight changes necessary. Good luck.

 

[flintlock75]

I have hunted all over Alaska and the lower 48, my rifles have always fired when it was time. In prince William sound I have hunted deer in rainy weather and in wet snow. As long has I did my part and kept the lock dry it worked fine. I have hunted caribou at -20 deg. and the gun fired just as well. The big differences I have found is during rain and shooting many shots at targets, the fouling stays very moist and needs to be swabbed out after 5 or so shots. When its been dry and very cold the fouling is also much dryer and more shots can be fired without any problems. As for just hunting, if it is damp or raining I place a well lubed fiber wad down on top of the ball or bullet to seal the bore extra. I also use bees wax on the cap for more protection and have a cows knee to cover the lock. Al long as you keep the lock dry it should fire reliably. A good example I have is on a moose hunt near Fairbanks we set up camp under some big spruce trees. after hunting all day we all leaned our guns against the tree trunk. During the night it poured down rain, we were dry but in the morning we all had water up to the muzzles on all our guns. One of the teens in our group volunteered to fire off the guns. He started with his own and each one just clunked on the cap, until he got to mine, he expected it to fail and was almost knocked off his feet when it fired instantly. its all in how you load and protect the cap. Good luck. what part of AK do you live in?

 

[DanHirschberg]

Ah I see you're in Houston, I am in Anchorage, but not really, I live in Bear Valley sort of on the hillside but as out in the sticks as you can get while still having the convenience of town. As far as preserving the locks condition, I've seen these cows knee things before online for sale. Now are you talking about preventing the hammer from getting frozen up and not flying forth on spring tension or are you referring to the nipple the cap sits on per se?

 

[Patocazador]

Olympic Peninsula, huh? Prepare to be wet .. a lot! :td:

 

[hanshi]

I've hunted with my percussion in frog choking downpours more than once with nary a problem. In my world if you can't detect it then it never happened.

 

[DanHirschberg]

im not averse to being wet. It's unreasonably cold and days where I have to start going to bed in my camp, at 7pm.

 

[Dphar]

So the scientist in me is interested to know, what do people here think of varying atmospheric conditions, and the effect, on their rifles? I live in Alaska, though in the next two years I will move to Washington state, hopefully out on the Olypmic Peninsula. Here in AK the moisture I doubt (unless current conditions prevail) will be as much of an issue of frozen cold conditions. Have any of you noticed that powder burns differently? Caps fail to fire? Bore conditions change? I'm determined to be an effective hunter using these older rifles; it's not like heading out with a 7mm or .30-06 and being fairly well certain you will not have to worry about weather. I'm curious as to what this factor has for an effect upon fire. Thanks Fellas.

Carry the rifle in a water proof case and there is no issue.
FLs are not very water proof.
Percussions are better ONLY if the cap FITS tight on the nipple.
BOTH are susceptible to water down the bore.
So use a cover. They are traditional even for Rev-War period and they are effective. If properly Sno-Sealed they will slide off the gun easily and the gun WILL work.
The gun also must be CLEAN. No powder residue or cap residue. These will both attract moisture.
It is impossible to water proof a FL with some grease or goo around the pan since the frizzen will not spark reliably if coated with water.
Sights covered with snow are hard to see.
Etc etc etc.
They also allow bringing a gun in from the cold without masses of condensation on the metal.

Dan

 

[DanHirschberg]

Very good recommendations, from one Dan to another, thanks. I will commence to stitching something up. Not too concerned with period-correctness, but I suppose I should be careful who I say that around?