Charles Lancaster 19 bore two groove rifle.

[Steve Bertram]

I just love British percussion sporting rifles and this one is quite interesting to me. I bought it cased, but the only tool included was the original mould. The Lancaster records still exist and they show that this rifle was built in 1849, barrels 2ft 8 inches, "thin patch". Well a cast pure lead bullet drops at .624" and the bore is .632", tight indeed. The thinnest cloth patch material I was able to source was .005" thick, too thick to get the bullet down the bore. What to do? The rifle could have come with a sizer or a cross patch cutter, neither of which I have today. I have been considering my options, I know it was not a paper patched rifle originally but maybe? I ordered some patching paper, made a template for patches and dug out the bottle of Rooster Jacket a friend had sent me. Everything arrived yesterday, I cut some patches, wet them and let them dry. Once they dried I applied a small amount of Rooster Jacket, a lube but also waterproofs paper patches and seems to keep the patches on the bullets nicely.

I took it to the range today and seated a bore diameter lubed felt wad(Wonder Wad) on top of 2&1/2 drams(70 grains) of 1&1/2F Swiss, then seated my paper patched bullet on the top of that. It was hot as could be out there today and I hurried 3 quick shots of the truck at 25 yards, 1.5" group all in the bull. I need to cast more bullets and shoot this one some more but I believe that this rifle is really going to like this load and patched bullets.

 

[nkbj]

Now that's just humdinger awesome.
Thank you so much for letting us see this.

 

[Gtrubicon]

Never seen anything like that before, very interesting bullet. that’s pretty awesome you got it to shoot your first go round. Beautiful rifle, keep us posted on the range report.

 

[Sparkitoff]

I have a Purdey 2-winged projectile percussion rifle. I have always just put a felt wad over the powder and pushed the bullet down bare (lubed upon loading). I never thought about paper patching. I may have to try that. My groups are okay, probably average 3-inches at 50 yards, and as such I have never thought of it as anything more than a 75-yard maximum range rifle. Your Lancaster rifle is very nice and your paper patching is a great idea.