Breach plug, again

[Goldhunter]

I know this topic has probably been beat to death, but I searched and didn't come up with my answer.

I the book, the Gunsmith of Grenville Co, the author states that the breach plug shouldn't be longer that 1/2 inch, that is the part that threads into the barrel. Conversly, the breach end shouldn't be deeper than 1/2 inch, this is to facilitate the location of the vent.

My question is, has anyone run into a problem with a BP and barrel that when properly installed, is 5/8? Keep in mind I'm not talking about the diameter of the threaded section but the length that threads in.

The barrel for my rifle has about 5/8 and so is the BP. I am installing the BP because I am a glutton for punishment and I want the experience and understanding on how it works.

Do I need to adjust the BP and barrel so when they are seated they are only 1/2 or is what I have good? Only the barrel channel on my rifle is inlet so I don't have to place it to the pre-inlet lock.

Thanks (the first of many questions I'm sure)

 

[Harddog]

GH,

A lot of modern barrels come with 5/8" long breech plugs and with the barel threaded 5/8" deep. Some that I have had from custom barrel makers come with 3/4" long breech plugs.

Ideally I want mine to be 1/2" in length, but if it is 5/8" I just go with that.

Many original breech plugs were only 3/8" long.

Randy Hedden

 

[Birddog6]

5/8" is fine & not unusual on a Grn. Mtn or a Colerain barrel.

 

[Goldhunter]

OK. I know you can't see it but would it be safe when inletting the barrel to move it back a touch more to give a bit more room for the vent, when I get to that point? I've read where a few people have hit the breach plug when they drill the vent hole.

 

It certainly won't hurt to move the barrel back far enough to make room for the vent, if you have enough stock to do so. If your vent lines up with the front of the plug, don't worry too much about it, you can just file a little notch in the plug to accommodate the vent. Especially since your plug is 5/8" long, you've got no safety worries if you need to do that.

 

[Birddog6]

IMHO, "IF" it has a Preinlet lock , it will stay where they inlet it......... so........

1: Finish inletting Lock 90% of the way
2: Remove breechplug & mark end of breech on the proper barrel flat. Sit vent liner on the barrel flat & mark the center of vent liner where you want it to be.(I scribe a line vertical there with a straight edge, then make a horizontal line in the center of the flat so you have a + there now. Later I take a punch & make a dot in the L of the + on the top right so it is just barely above center & barely right of center)
Now inlet barrel to proper place in relation to the flash pan center so the vent liner center & flash pan center are aligned.
3: Bend & shape tang first, the install breechplug back on barrel & inlet the tang.
4: Install underlugs & pin the barrel in place. .
5: Finish inletting the lock to get a 100% fit at the pan/barrel, drill & tap the lock & inlet the sideplate in & bolt the lock in place. Everything should be for sure in place so now install vent liner or drum.
6: Now install the triggger assembly. Drill the tang to triggerplate hole & tap & install bolt.
7: Install Triggerguard
8: Install Buttplate & set LOP. Then install Toeplate.
9: Install RR pipes, Entrypipe & Nosecap.
10: Epoxy Sights to top of barrel & take out for a test shoot. If sights are within range of adjustments, OK. If not, change to different sight heights & test again.

Then if it all is OK, continue on to you choice of carving, inlays, patchboxes, etc. finish.

 

[dlocke]

You don't need to be a glutton for punishment. Fitting the breechplug is not so bad a task as long as you take your time. Of course, it certainly helps if the back of your barrel is cut square to the flats. By doing it yourself, you will get a perfect fit.
DJL

 

[Birddog6]

Fitting the breechplug is not so bad a task as long as you take your time. Of course, it certainly helps if the back of your barrel is cut square to the flats. By doing it yourself, you will get a perfect fit.
DJL

:grin: I wish I had taken photos of some of the messes that have been sent to me in this area alone, and you would retract that statement !! ha ha ha !! :rotf:
I have received them with the breech area wood broken out, cut way out, dremeled out, routered out, 1" chisseled out, you name it......... They come in & the guy says "Can you hide his ? the router or dremel grabbed it" :hmm: ha ha ha ! Yes, maybe hide it with a tarp ? ha ha ha ! There are some things ya just cannot hide well.... and I am not going to spend weeks trying to hide something because someone got in a hurry & used the wrong tools..... Cost more in time & trouble than a new stock cost. So I usually end up buying a new stock & the guy has 1050 in his 900 rifle rather than 900 in his patched up 200 rifle.

I think everyone should inlet the breech into a 12" piece of 2x4 before attempting a stock. When you can do a breech & tang perfectin a 2x4, , then do the stock.

:thumbsup:

 

[dlocke]

Oh, I thought he was referring to fitting the breechplug into the barrel. Chopping a mortise with a 1" chisel eh? I'd like to see that. I'll bet the chisel wasn't sharp either. I like the curved inletting chisels that TOTW has for 7 bucks apiece. Lets you get right in there and they take an edge well. I think what happens to a lot of folks is impatience. What I do is allow myself 2 glasses of brown ale or stout when inletting. After the second glass is empty, the chisels go away and the chips get swept up.
DJL

 

[Goldhunter]

I was refering to fitting the BP to the barrel. now worries. I've learned a couple lessons on previous kits about inletting the barral and tang area. I like the two glass rule. :grin:

Thanks for the help, Gentlemen. I am starting, slowly, on the BP to barrel fit today.