Getting closer on my new build

[Mule333]

Well, I’m having a blast with this!… scratch build. (No pun intended). Although I’ve had many mistakes that I’ve overcome. And still have some to overcome. Even if it turns out to be a GOAT…. It’s my GOAT. Haha. Trigger and lock are working beautifully. It might be less than a 2lb pull. Have no way to test it, just feel.

Well, let me get to the point. Thinking of the future.

40cal. Colerain Barrel. A weight. 38”. Hmmm. I think 1/48” twist. What size ball and patch thickness should I start with. And I’m guessing 3f? Thanks, Mule

 

[Mule333]

I’m thinking .395 ball with a linen patch.

 

[Sidney Smith]

Looking good. Is it a colonial style, early Lancaster maybe?

 

[Mule333]

Looking good. Is it a colonial style, early Lancaster maybe?

Haha… not sure what to call it. It’s based of a TOTW “Bucks Co Plan”. I’ve looked at soooo many beautiful rifles of the internet, Dickert, Beck, Resor, John Noll… John Noll is one of my favorites.

 

[Rudall]

It might be less than a 2lb pull. Have no way to test it, just feel.

If you have some string and a small plastic bag (I suspect you would call it a ‘baggie’) you can easily measure the trigger weight. Tie string to bag. Loop round trigger. Hold rifle vertically. Add material to bag until the trigger breaks. Weigh bag.

 

[Wildrangeringreen]

3f or 4f, depends on what you're doing with it (for me, ball guns under .45 are prime candidates for 4F, in order to keep the charge short), you'll use less weight for the same velocity, as the finer granulations are more efficient at converting to gas/pressure (plus the finer granulations allow/require you to use a smaller vent, which helps make velocity more consistent, in my experience). 1-48 ought to allow you to shoot even light loads well, all the way up to deer-gettin' loads. For me, the biggest ball, and thinnest patching that I can get to work usually yields the best accuracy (most of my barrels are shallow-groove though, deep-groove rifling needs thicker patching to fill the grooves better and limit gas escaping around the ball). Lookin good, from-scratch builds are the most-fun type, even if they are frustrating at times . Sounds like you're getting along just fine with it!

 

[mushka]

I would say if the trigger and lock are good, everything else is minor. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

 

[appalichian hunter]

Simple trigger pull gauge is simple too make, coat hanger length 12-18 in. bend C hooks in each end, a few baggies with weight in them at different pounds, say 1-2-3-4lbs or more if desired, you can weigh them on a bathroom scale, meat scale or if your real nice too the lady at the post office maybe the postal scale, perhaps not a accurate as as regular trigger pull scale but will give you a ball park ideal of where you are at. Hook one end of the wire over the trigger and the other end hang the weighted baggie.

 

[appalichian hunter]

Looks like rudall beat me.

 

[Rudall]

Your turn next time.

 

[Mule333]

you'll use less weight for the same velocity, as the finer granulations are more efficient at converting to gas/pressure

Wow, did not know that. Learned something new. Thanks Wild.

 

[PathfinderNC]

If you have some string and a small plastic bag (I suspect you would call it a ‘baggie’) you can easily measure the trigger weight. Tie string to bag. Loop round trigger. Hold rifle vertically. Add material to bag until the trigger breaks. Weigh bag.

Very clever

 

[ApprenticeBuilder]

If you collect change then there are 80 US quarters to the pound, 40 to the half pound etc