False Muzzle help

[davidjpoynter]

Been lurking her for some time now and gained some really good knowledge. Now I need a question answered. What degree of taper do the false muzzles of bench rest patch ball guns have? I know that they load these guns with over bore size ball and (sometimes) teflon patching but how shallow is the false muzzle taper? Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks, David

 

[LRB]

Originally, the false muzzle was pre fitted to the barrel, bored and rifled with the barrel, then relieved to allow an elongated paper patched bullet, in most cases, not a ball, to enter easily. It was then started into the bore with a mechanical starter which attached to the false muzzle and kept the bullet perfectly aligned with the bore. Then gently shoved down on the powder. The false muzzle was seldom, if ever, made for a round ball barrel. This loading system was for really serious target shooters in 19th c., and not intended for common shooting. Using a round ball barrel, this would give a negligable return for the time and money it would cost. For this system to work properly, the false muzzle has to be rifled with the barrel, in order for the rifling to align perfectly. That means a lot of extra money spent to gain a fraction of an inch improvement in group accuracy, if using round ball bullets.

 

[davidjpoynter]

You are 99.9% correct sir! Yes they were originally made for the purpose you speak of. Also, they are used today on heavy patch ball bench guns (such as at friendship) to load an over sized ball (say .55 cal ball in a .50 cal barrel) so that the ball upsets to become more of a elongated slug. This in turn enhances the accuracy of the rifle by increasing the bearing surface of the ball/slug. At least that's what I've heard. :hatsoff:

 

[LRB]

I can see where that would work to a degree, but are you willing to have a custom barrel made with a false muzzle, in order to gain a very small return? If so, your custom maker will know all the details, or you would need to deal with one who does.

 

[Dan Hogue]

Chuck Dixon, at Dixons gun shop in Kunkels Pa. he has made, and shot these guns for years. GREAT gunmakers fair in july if you can make it there.

 

[davidjpoynter]

Thank you for the reply, I'll give him a call.