just built .50 bellygun

[Loyalist Dave]

How did ya do the breech and the percussion nipple?.....

LD

 

[Eterry]

There is no way I would consider this pistol a pip squeak. The fifty cal prb weighs in around 180 grains. The Lyman handbook shows data for the 45 Ruger New Army with a conical weighing 185grs, and with 35 grs of fff has a velocity of 905 fps. Now it has a 7 1/2" tube, but lose some vel for the shorter bbl, and gain some for the increase charge, and the velocity will be pretty close I feel.
JW Boothe's derringer was a 41 cal I think, which used a prb around 100 grs.
Come to think of it, 180 grs at around 950 fps is what most cops carry on duty, and it seems to work fine.

Eterry

 

[inlikeflint]

This is the breech. Holes around nipple are to key into and remove the plug.

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This is with the hammer down on a fired #11 rem. cap.

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I don't walk well and have always wanted to hunt a pig. My winter project was to put together a light weight fusil. I bought a 16g unchambered 26"barrel from numerich. A chambers flint lock, tow fusil plans, 1/2 stock, all steel furniture from tow, and put it together. The bellygun was not to be a backup but a just in case gun. Fits well in back pocket. I have about $10-$12 give or take in it including nipple. And I also have around 5" left of the .50 barrel I also got from numerich, Just a hair less than 1" in dia. Used a 9/16 18 bolt for the breech plug, it is about 1/2" long and very removable with out disassembly of the gun. Been shooting it and have not been able to get the crony to come up with believable numbers, either too low or high. Will have to get some pictures of the short fusil. I had to turn off the outside of the breech, looked like it was for a double, but for 1/10th of the cost of a new dedicated flint brand new barrel I am happy. john

 

[Eterry]

When I chrono'ed my black powder guns I had to put the screens quite a bit farther away from the muzzle, or I got aberrant readings also...I don't recall how far, I just kept moving the screens until the numbers started making sense. I've been tempted to get a smooth barrel from numerich, just haven't yet.

Eterry

 

[inlikeflint]

I am a bit reluctant to get too far back with such a short barrel, I have been known to hit a crony! I could put a long board up so the ball would 'rickoshay' up instead of a direct hit!

The barrel I used for the short fusil was $20.45 brand spanking new. I have a link but not sure I can post here. I had to turn off the extra metal at the breech and thread it to 7/8 14. I had a devil of a time threading at first. I borrowed a tap and never was able to start it. I made a piloted reamer to open the barrel up for the threads and it was the right size. I finally broke down and ordered a tap from ebay and it went in well. If I ever do another .670 16ga I will have to get another tap as I ground the first threads off into a bottom tap. Even with the price break on the barrel it still cost more than I would have liked but I am well satisfied and it carries well. It weighs 5# 3oz. Weighed the belly gun and it is 18oz.

 

[Eterry]

I have never shot over a chrony, I have a pact which has a pretty good sized screen. When the chrony came out every shop you went into had one on the counter with a bullet hole between the running lights. I wanted a longer barrel on my fowler, but for under 30 bucks how can you go wrong. You can pm me the link.

Eterry

 

[Billnpatti]

I found that placing the chronograph at about 15 yards in front of the muzzle gave good results. To find what distance is best for you and your gun, just make a note of where your patches are landing. Place the chronograph just a few yards further than that and you will get good readings.

 

[inlikeflint]

I thank you billnpatti. That is the best information I could ask for. My patch's were going a few yards further so when I correct I will have to take measures to keep the crony intact.
John