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.

 

[Rudyard]

A bit dated but I too have a 24 bore belted ball two grouve No idea Maker outside was a rust streak but bore had kept good I made a two winged conical mould but found the belted ball Jeff Tanner made too push home a' stopple 'wad comprised of two 4 x 2 cleaning patches greased and held together with a twist of cotton thread then the not tight patched ball pitch of one in 60' I stocked it in some Queensland maple Tony Hawkins gave me just waster that game off the duplicarver so I made it pistol hand .. rough as bags but its seen many a bush mile & bowled the Donkeys (Red Deer ) reliably That with a again rust steak 3 winged 490 or that's the bullet size Les Mcquire smooth conical mould he made me I ' got up' in an old shotgun stock but added a Cap box made on a logging claim so pitted I' ve never seen the makers name . Jeff Tanner made me a mould that could cast different weights I made a three winged bullet hollow nose made a mess on deer opened up in water but didnt do any better & it likes ball . I ve shot at 500 & 300 yards the long ladder being so marked 1850 style . both incidently useing worked up 10 Rupees local trade (India) locks been good these nie on 50 years past. Ime beginning to see the twist grain that barrel came from Stan Shares goody box at Notts Arms fair . false breech, tang nail, trigger & its plate all rusted together no rib So like the Two Grouve I stocked the lot & added guard bows and ribs as required both externaly' NRA' Distgusting ' ! But the bores where and are yet good. I once beat a 461 Gibbs at 500 yards just one point mind , luck of the day but not bad return for my whole 3 pounds investment barrel (I think the barrels or their makers seem to show their appreciation in a curious way Very ! if so .Just a whim .) I restored & Restocked a double Jacobs infantry rifle just a rust streak it fell apart BUT the Bores being good I used the mounts of a Swinburne Double smooth bore carbine for the Scinde Irregular horse Sowars . both being made for Jacobs by Swinburne made a 4 winged mould bore being good but didnt pull any trees up so sold it to a gentleman in Maine. The rifle or my prowess I mean the mould was fine and a gift ..Anyway enough of feeling groovy for one day . Later pics to follow
Rudyard