breech plugs

[eggwelder]

I know most here prefer to buy their parts, so this question is more for those that prefer or are compelled to be much more self sufficient in their endeavours.
Anyone on here make their own? those that do, what do you use for the plug?
what size thread do you use?
and lastly, for example, if you have a .50, how much bigger do you drill out the breech plug area where you are going to thread for your breech plug in comparison to the bore?

 

[voltigeur]

Do you want build your own barrel ?
at tow,you have several breech plug with dimensions.
for the lenght,it's between 1 or 2 times the bore.

 

[Walks with fire]

Breech plugs are pretty cheap but if you wanted to make one from scratch with hand tools it's going to take a bit of work. Some people have used a proper size industrial grade bolt and weld some metal on for the tang. If you were wanting a hooked breech plug perhaps one could be made from a proper sized allen wrench. I don't know for sure if the allen wrench would be strong enough steel or not.

As far as the patent breech diameter for a .50 it's probably around .300 or so. Threads on the breech end are all different sizes; I think GM uses a 5/8 x 18. A properly designed and fitted plug is nothing to mess around with. Have someone who knows what he is doing do it. I don't.

I am sure some of the builders will respond at some point.

 

[ApprenticeBuilder]

Recreating the Double Barrel Muzzleloading Shotgun

This is a good resource and has a great section on breach plugs, making and fitting them.

:grin:



Or you could look into Wikipedia


:rotf:

 

[Micah Clark]

In an old book i have that was printed in the 60's, think, they used a threaded bolt and then welded a bar on it . . .then shaped it to look like a breech plug with a file. . . not sure where the book is.

 

[ApprenticeBuilder]

The Recreating book gives details on the Nock and Manton style but the processes are the same for a flat faced breech plug.

For a rifle style plug you'll need a couple taps, with one being a bottoming tap to get the satisfactory shoulder for the plug to mate up with.



Standard bolt sizes generally one increment up from bore size, .50 cal will use a 5/8" bolt etc. just need to be sure to have material for a positive stop for the breech plug, have proper thread engagement and enough barrel thickness on the breech end for the size of threads used.

Most originals had short course threaded breech plugs.

If you're wanting to get this involved into the "Art" I would encourage you to find someone that can teach or start buying literature.

 

[eggwelder]

Thank you for the tips and advice. I will take all of it under advisement. I have some books, and am extremely mechanically inclined. I understand that although installing a breech plug from scratch is an extremely important job to do correctly, it remains a very simple process. I do have access to an actual smith who is willing to impart and share his knowledge, but getting some of his time is next to impossible. up here in Canada, BP smiths or any gunsmiths for that are a scarce and dwindling resource. non-existent in some areas. shipping parts and pieces back and forth across international borders with currency exchange and brokerage fees to have serviced/installed what have you really raises costs past hobby up to unrealistic and unaffordable. Being self sufficient and learning to do these things properly for ones self is an extremely valuable skill to have. So other than books, of which I do not have enough of, this forum along with another is what I would consider the closest thing to a teacher that most of us are going to get. there are many members here whose opinions, knowledge and experience I value and appreciate, and am glad that they willingly pass this along to others. it is merely a matter of sifting thru the varied responses to find the answers one needs, which sometimes are not the ones sought.

 

[rijerolmon]

I have a 12 gauge shot gun barrel that I think will make a good turkey smoothbore. I've cut off the chamber end and it looks like a 7/8x14 Brown Bess breech plug will work. Looking now for a machine shop to drill and tap. I want to be sure that the projectile exits the muzzle end. Does anyone know of a tutorial for doing this?

 

[Larry Akers]

I make my own plugs using 1018 cold rolled rounds. 12L14 could be used and machines better than 1018. Up to .40 cal. I use 1/2-20 thread; .40 to .50 cal. I use 5/8-18; .50 to .62 I use 3/4-16. Thread depth into the barrel is 1/2 to 5/8". I also thread for 75% threaddepth.

 

[ApprenticeBuilder]

Sounds as though you're on the right path, research, books, and actual live body help are the keys.

Look into the "fox fire" series of books (out of print and scarce) also any of the literature from Kit Ravenshear (out of print but readily available)

You have some great builders up that way, some of which are very helpful.


I have noticed that some of the more technical information that was on the net is no longer available, also many are no longer freely sharing the info, this I have noticed on both of the major sites.



This is the same way that the old school information was nearly lost to begin with, this "Art" is changing.


Either way, I wish you good luck on your endeavors, this is a slippery slope but well worth the investment in time.

 

[eggwelder]

no kidding, I used to live a 35 min drive from Peter Alexander up until last October. I was that busy at work and family and excuses that I only ever met him once at a gunshow. he`s the only one I know of still building in Canada. I recently moved to Newfoundland. I brought a sufficient quantity of BP with me for a few years because it is very scarce on the island, and I`m not sure why. now, I havn`t looked everywhere either.
but builders/ gunsmiths are not widely available here, and the ones that are seem to keep to themselves.

I`ve noticed that about the technical info disappearing from the net as well. there are web articles that I printed at work way back when that I kept because my home computer was less than stellar. I have the paper, but the online articles are gone or severely fragmented for the most part. I`m glad I printed this stuff.

 

[bob308]

it is not rocket science it is simple mechanics. I have used grade 5 bolts to make breach plugs.

 

[ApprenticeBuilder]

it is not rocket science it is simple mechanics.

Problem is we don't teach simple mechanics anymore, as a skill mechanical aptitude is dying out, with that we have scores of "armchair builders" that regurgitate Wikipedia on demand, and will readily argue the point though they have little or no practical hands on experience in that area.

 

[ApprenticeBuilder]

but builders/ gunsmiths are not widely available here, and the ones that are seem to keep to themselves.

correct, and the community will continue to get smaller.

 

[ZUG]

Here is one made for a left handed woman shooter. It is made of cold rolled steel either 1018 or 1020 don't remember. The barrel is a 7/8" .45 cal Green Mountain and the plug is threaded to match. The plug has a 5/16" X 9/16" chamber with the flame channel from the nipple connecting with the powder chamber via a cross drilled hole for a #10X32 clean-out screw.

 

[bob308]

I can do wonders in steel. but wood I am a total loss.

 

[ApprenticeBuilder]

Looking now for a machine shop to drill and tap. I want to be sure that the projectile exits the muzzle end. Does anyone know of a tutorial for doing this?

In my experience you'll be hard pressed to find a machine shop that'll touch your project due to the liabilities involved if it comes apart in your hands.

 

[rijerolmon]

Thanks, but are you saying that this is an unsafe project that should not be done or that due to potential liabilities most shops would not do it?

 

[ApprenticeBuilder]

due to potential liabilities most shops would not do it?

unfortunately this is the sad state of affairs that we find ourselves.

 

[eggwelder]

I saw that before, maybe here, maybe on another forum. i need to make a few more parts for my lathe before it is up and running. the plug i plan on making is much simpler, as it is just a plug. any external work will be done with files & a grinder.