I'm looking to build a smoothbore using a modern 16ga. barrel that I have. I want to make it a percussion, not interested in period correct, it will be used for hunting. I know this has been done before, I need help on how to do it. Does anyone have pics or a tutorial on how it's done or can any one here do the barrel? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Roger
Building a smoothbore
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TeutonicHeathen
36 Cal.
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is it a blackpowder barrel? You need to elaborate on more of what you want to find out? Building a gun from scratch or what?
A friend of mine built a 12 ga flintlock out of a modern barrel. You have to have the barrel tapped for a breech plug and drilled and tapped for a drum. The rest of the build will be the same as with any other smoothbore barrel.
As I recall there is a good book available that gives all of the information that anyone could want about using a modern barrel to build a muzzleloading shotgun.
The trouble is, I don't recall who wrote it or what its name is.
Normally, I wouldn't display my lack of knowledge but I've noticed that every time I do, a bunch of people get a big kick out of posting things like,
"You big dummy. The book is called XXXXXXXX and it was written by YYYYYYYYY!"
"Everybody knows that. Sheeze. :shake: "
Boy. The things I do for you guys around here. :grin:
The trouble is, I don't recall who wrote it or what its name is.
Normally, I wouldn't display my lack of knowledge but I've noticed that every time I do, a bunch of people get a big kick out of posting things like,
"You big dummy. The book is called XXXXXXXX and it was written by YYYYYYYYY!"
"Everybody knows that. Sheeze. :shake: "
Boy. The things I do for you guys around here. :grin:
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Worse than that, I have a copy of the book here in the house (someplace) and cannot find it OR remember the title. = "OF Syndrome" creeping in, I guess???
(I bought a copy off ebay "for cheap", read it & decided that I had neither the tools or expertise required.)
IF I can find it, I'll post the data & give it to someone here who has both the ability & equipment to do such a complicated project.
yours, satx
(I bought a copy off ebay "for cheap", read it & decided that I had neither the tools or expertise required.)
IF I can find it, I'll post the data & give it to someone here who has both the ability & equipment to do such a complicated project.
yours, satx
Just for a bit of information, a 16 guage chamber diameter is tapered. It is .745" at the rear and .732 at the start of the forcing cone.
After cutting off some of this chamber length the rest of it could be bored to .798-.806 and then threaded for a 7/8-14-NF breech plug.
Track of the Wolf offers several breech plugs for this thread size.
Warning: Breech plugs usually seal against a shoulder at the rear of the bore. This thread would not have a shoulder to seat against.
That would leave a leak path for the powder gas thru the breech plug threads.
Although a thread sealant could be used to seal this leak path off, it isn't recommended.
After cutting off some of this chamber length the rest of it could be bored to .798-.806 and then threaded for a 7/8-14-NF breech plug.
Track of the Wolf offers several breech plugs for this thread size.
Warning: Breech plugs usually seal against a shoulder at the rear of the bore. This thread would not have a shoulder to seat against.
That would leave a leak path for the powder gas thru the breech plug threads.
Although a thread sealant could be used to seal this leak path off, it isn't recommended.
gunmaker43
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Brockways book"re-creating the ML shotgun" 40 bucks from track wolf or others. We need to know what bbl. you have, modern or ML ?? I have a 16 bbl that has plenty of metal for a reg. plug. Get them from Numrich arms co. surplas LC Smith .670 no chamber or choke...26" long...Screw a pattent breech on it is the way to go. Zonie & brownbear sounds like your afflicted with the same problem I have---I'm about the best there is at hiding stuff from myself....Tom, now wheres my coffe cup ?
I can't help with how to do it, but it was common back in the day. Here is a 16 gauge flintlock I picked up to give some encouragement. The Crescent Firearms barrels chambers were cut off and hooked breech plugs installed.
http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/290978/post/1429171/hl//fromsearch/1/
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galamb
58 Cal.
Since you are wanting percussion I would investigate whether you could use an English or Dimick style hooked patent breech.
They are octagonal, but, if you went with a plug larger (on the flats) than your outside barrel diameter then you could shape the plug to match the round profile - and they come threaded in 7/8"-14.
(I routinely file 15/16" Hawken breeches down to 7/8" to fit smaller profile barrels with no ill effects or safety concerns)
At least with the patent (and some guys just plain hate them), you have no issues with wall thickness for drilling drums etc.
They do, however, require much more care when installing the lock - you have to get all the geometry correct at the same time - no wiggle room like with a drum or touchhole type install.
They are octagonal, but, if you went with a plug larger (on the flats) than your outside barrel diameter then you could shape the plug to match the round profile - and they come threaded in 7/8"-14.
(I routinely file 15/16" Hawken breeches down to 7/8" to fit smaller profile barrels with no ill effects or safety concerns)
At least with the patent (and some guys just plain hate them), you have no issues with wall thickness for drilling drums etc.
They do, however, require much more care when installing the lock - you have to get all the geometry correct at the same time - no wiggle room like with a drum or touchhole type install.
