My unknown rifle journey

[NavyDoc76-80]

Finally got her put back together.
Now the unknown best size of round ball and patch begins.
Apparently, the forum web pages, don’t like pano shots. Click on box to load/see.

 

[kelvinator]

The pics are all wavy looking for me, but the gun looks great.

 

[NavyDoc76-80]

The pics are all wavy looking for me, but the gun looks great.

Yeah, panoramic shots aren’t a good choice. Creates a drunken sailor effect. And thanks. I continue to sluggen away.

 

[towgunner11h]

Stop hanging it over the mantle! I think you melted it.

 

[NavyDoc76-80]

Stop hanging it over the mantle! I think you melted it.

 

[NavyDoc76-80]

Thought I’d drop a note or two on what I’ve been doing. First to recap, we now know my unknown is a Santa Fe style Hawken. Though the barrel says it’s a 54cal, it’s really a 53cal. A book in my library, published in 91’ from Gun Digest, Black Powder Loading manual, list a Santa Fe Hawken made by Allen. Allen is unknown to me. The specs are identical to mine though I don’t know the twist rate of mine. It’s interesting to me (as you can see) is it’s listed as a 53cal , using a .520” round ball. So I finally got some Hornady .520” and some Goex FFg. Next was to attack the barrel. Not until I got a Traditions drop in bore light for muskets did I realize the barrel still had original grease from the factory I assume. And a lot of it. I used Remington Rem Action Cleaner. It worked great. After it was cleaned, I ran some G96 down her for a final clean and rust prevention. It’s now time to make smoke, hopefully, my next post.

 

[kelvinator]

Interesting info on the load data photo.
I was shooting mine last weekend with Hornady .520 and 70 gr of Goex FF.
I was getting 1420 - 1440 FPS with my chronograph.
My .54 Renegade with the exact same load and shorter barrel got 1390 - 1400 FPS.

 

[NavyDoc76-80]

Interesting info on the load data photo.
I was shooting mine last weekend with Hornady .520 and 70 gr of Goex FF.
I was getting 1420 - 1440 FPS with my chronograph.
My .54 Renegade with the exact same load and shorter barrel got 1390 - 1400 FPS.

Interesting that the chart closely matched the Renegade. Have you ever figured out your twist rate?

 

[TFoley]

Here’s the missing front sight

You mean, where the missing front sight would normally be located.

 

[NavyDoc76-80]

You mean, where the missing front sight would normally be located.

Touche

 

[TFoley]

Take one of your .530 round balls and smack it with a hammer to expand it just beyond your groove diameter.
Now gently drop a piece of brass or steel rod about 6" in length down the barrel, this will be the internal hammer to remove the slug.

Post deleted due to confusion.

 

[NavyDoc76-80]

Surely those two lines need to be the other way round?

The barrel has its breech on, as it has been proofed in Iddly.

So Foley, what are you? The resident proof reader?

 

[kelvinator]

Interesting that the chart closely matched the Renegade. Have you ever figured out your twist rate?

Yes, I have measured it and found it to be as advertised, 1:66

 

[kelvinator]

Surely those two lines need to be the other way round?

The barrel has its breech on, as it has been proofed in Iddly.

Not sure what the breech has to do with slugging a barrel, but yes, clearly you will need to drop the brass/steel rod in the barrel before tapping the expanded ball into the muzzle.
And trust me, it will be okay to expand the ball before dropping the rod in the barrel, or after if you prefer.

 

[TFoley]

So Foley, what are you? The resident proof reader?

Nope, I'm the resident PITA pedant. Renowned for it, and as somebody who had to learn English to go to school, I'm picky to the point of obsession. I get picked up, too, so I figure that what's sauce for the kettle, is good for the blanket, if you grasp my meaning.

I've greatly enjoyed your journey thus far, and look forward immensely to reading more about you shooting your rifle.

 

[TFoley]

Not sure what the breech has to do with slugging a barrel, but yes, clearly you will need to drop the brass/steel rod in the barrel before tapping the expanded ball into the muzzle.
And trust me, it will be okay to expand the ball before dropping the rod in the barrel, or after if you prefer.

Simple. If you put the ball in first, as you suggested, then you won't be able to get the piece of rod down the barrel.

Although the rifle may have been sold as a kit, it has proofs and a serial number, so it was not sold as a set of parts including a separate barrel and breech plug, as most were, leaving the builder to 'proof' it by the well-documented 'old tyre and string method'.

 

[kelvinator]

Simple. If you put the ball in first, as you suggested, then you won't be able to get the piece of rod down the barre

I think you are confusing expanding the ball with putting it in the barrel.
I never suggested putting the ball in first.
I only listed the expanding step before putting in the rod.

 

[TFoley]

I think you are confusing expanding the ball with putting it in the barrel.
I never suggested putting the ball in first.
I only listed the expanding step before putting in the rod.

NOW I see. You simply thump a ball to make it larger than the bore BEFORE you put it in the barrel.

THEN drop the bit of rod down.

Gotcha.

Please accept my apologies for my mental ineptitude.