Baker Rifle arrived

[Mike]

My Baker rifle finally arrived. From the Rifle Shoppe, and assembled by Larry Cruise in Nebraska. Looks great! Now to get the items I need to shoot it.
He's recommending 3F for primer and barrel instead of 4F for pan and 2F for barrel. Says that's how he shot it with 65g. Figure I'd start with that.

 

[Grenadier1758]

From a period military perspective, you could use 2f in the pan also at a very slight cost in terms of delay in firing the main charge. As for modern usage, the 3fg in the pan makes good sense. Since the builder is recommending that procedure, that's where to begin with the load development.

Good looking rifle by the way.

 

[tenngun]

Does that shoot a belted ball?

 

[TFoley]

The Baker rifle, in service with the British Army, shot a chamois leather-patched ball.

 

[TFoley]

I strongly advise you to look at friend Rob on Youtube, and his truly fascinating and immensely valuable series on not only shooting the Baker rifle, but the various ways of making ammunition for it in cartridge form. His channel - britishmuzzleloaders - should be required reading/watching for anybody interested in British military arms, drill and and tactics from the Brown Bess, right up to the unmentionables - ALL carried out in correct period uniforms as well.

 

[Mike]

Thanks!

 

[Greenjoytj]

Now you just need to but 12 more. Then you’ll have a Bakers dozen.

Barrel length, caliber? Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[Mike]

.653 caliber, barrel length is 30". Total length 45". I plan to fire .62 patched ball rounds.

 

[Cowboy]

Beautiful rifle my friend.

Respectfully, Cowboy

 

[jae]

Beautiful Baker. I too would recommend Rob`s YouTube site

 

[tsmgguy]

Rob (Britishmuzzleloaders) is using a 1 in 105 inch twist barrel, which is the original British Ordnance standard. The Rifle Shoppe usually furnishes a 1 in 66 inch twist radius .62 rifled barrel of Colerain manufacture with their Baker part sets. Wouldn't be surprised to find that the 66" twist shoots more accurately than the 105. I have not yet fired my left hand TRS-built Baker at 100 yards, but the test target furnished by TRS is pretty impressive.

 

[tsmgguy]

Could not edit my post above. Meant to say The Rifle Shoppe furnishes a 1 in 66 inch twist radius-rifled Colerain barrel. The radius rifling can be seen in the last photo above. Between each land is a shallow concave groove, which helps prevent the build-up of fouling. Other choices are available.

 

[Cosmo]

Fantastic looking rifle. Congrats!

 

[William O.]

I never thought I'd see a left handed Baker rifle! Looks like it is well made and ready to join the chosen men of the 95th Rifles, South Essex.

 

[bisleyjohn]

Now you just need to but 12 more. Then you’ll have a Bakers dozen.

Barrel length, caliber? Inquiring minds want to know.

Twelve?

 

[cositrike]

Twelve?

Bakers dozen=13

 

[bisleyjohn]

Bakers dozen=13

 

[Rudyard]

Pre 1905 large tool & patch box. Looks OK Rob tried leather patches but I believe the usual material was stout cloth & Bakers Book says the fit should not be so tight that it requires more than ordinary force. 1in 66" pitch might shoot better but its not what they had and its a BAKER rifle none having left handed locks but the patron is allways right . And Ime sure it will serve you admirably ..
Regards Rudyard

 

[bisleyjohn]

https://archive.org/details/twentythreeyear00bakegoog

 

[Doc Ivory]

WOW!
Very nice looking piece you have there!