Barrel keys

[dooltubes]

What is the proper method of tightening barrel keys on muzzleloaders? Shim the key or the slots in the wood or?

 

[Robert an saa fan]

Not sure if this is proper way, but it is how I have done it three or four times on various Hawken style rifles:

With the barrel unloaded, dismounted & upsidedown... tap the center of the barrel wedge (key) lug with an object like an old dull chisel or screwdriver. The idea is to peen down the opening so the barrel wedge (key) contacts the lug with more tension.

Do a tiny bit at a time retrying barrel wedge fit in assembled gun until you get adequate tension.

The downside of this method is a welded on barrel wedge lug may detach from barrel. Has not happened in my doing it.

If the barrel wedge lug is screwed on seems you could just file off some material to reduce the opening.

Just my 2 cents.

Curious if there is a much better way?

 

[crockett]

If you are talking about a loose wedge I thought the standard practice was to slightly bend it.

 

[Vaino]

I prefer to tap the bridge of the lug....couple minute job.....Fred

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

I always tap the tenon, too. Never needs much of a tap to set things right.

 

I have not done this in a long time and in fact the gun I need to do it for is long gone. But, I peaned the sides of the wedges to raise up a small ridge on both sides. No stress on the lugs and you can hammer down or file the raised ridges as needed.

 

[Old40Rod]

Ditto... I tweaked my wedge rather than risk mussing up the tenons.

 

[Parzifal]

How about dumping a wee bit of lead solder on the wedge before reassembly??

 

[bramble]

I tapped the bridge of the tenon. After reading the above, I would go with altering the wedge if I'm faced with the problem again.
thanks guys
bramble

 

[dooltubes]

Thanks. A guy on another forum suggested tapping the wedge a couple times in the middle and on top to curve it slightly upward toward the barrel so I will try that.

 

Well, that is an approach that I had not thought of, but after a few (maybe even one) disassembly that lead may be scraped off. It will for sure be shaved down from its origianl dimension.