New caplock rifle (pics)

[rdlowe]

I just acquired this pretty 54 caliber rifle through an auction. It came with a neat surprise: shooter's logs, loading and zero data back to the early 80s! Interesting that at some point the gun was modified to use musket caps but there's no mention of that in the notes, which are fairly meticulous.

 

[rdlowe]

 

[dlgcrosstimbers]

Sweet!!

 

[Huntschool]

If you are asking about getting away from the musket caps I would assume the thread size in the drum will accommodate a #11 cap nipple. Pretty easy.

Great looking gun and super data with it. Enjoy.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Nice looking rifle. Lock looks like it could be Spanish. He was a proponent of heavy charges. What is the rifling twist? That might make a good 'X' stick, chunk gun or light bench gun if it shoots round balls well.

 

[rdlowe]

Thanks! Nipple is already swapped. It was threaded for the same size I had laying around. The quest to identify the correct size inserts for that tunnel sight continues, however. I think it's a discontinued Lyman product. If so, I will likely just replace the whole thing.

 

[rdlowe]

Nice looking rifle. Lock looks like it could be Spanish. He was a proponent of heavy charges. What is the rifling twist? That might make a good 'X' stick, chunk gun or light bench gun if it shoots round balls well.

The lock is a Russ Hamm. Nothing special but seems to function just fine. Using the jag/patch method I believe the twist to be about 1:48 with deep rifling and the 36" barrel appears to be straight. I plan to check for prb accuracy before knocking my fillings out with the heavy loads this gent liked.

 

[kemart17]

 

[kemart17]

wow, very nice!!!!!

 

[Gene L]

Beauty.

 

[Cowboy]

Very nice my friend!

I like it!!

Respectfully, Cowboy

 

[azmntman]

Beuitiful wood and interestig front trigger. A GREAT FIND!

 

[EC121]

Back then you could buy those triggers. Probably a single acting set trigger.

 

[VJM]

That’s a beautiful rifle that was really cared for.

 

[rdlowe]

Back then you could buy those triggers. Probably a single acting set trigger.

The front trigger won't fire the gun unless the rear has been set first if that's what ya mean.

 

[Bad Karma]

What a great rifle! Nice of the seller to provide all of the data.

 

[30coupe]

The rifle is a beauty! Man, that load would knock your fillings loose for sure, not to mention the pounding your shoulder will take! The 1:48 twist is not ideal for patched round balls, but it will work with the right loads. My TC Hawken likes 70 grains of 3F Diamondback with a .490 ball and .18 mattress ticking. Good luck with your find!

 

[Grenadier1758]

If the rifle was a T/C with shallow grooves, the loads should be limited to light charges and very tight patching. This rifle seems to have deep grooves and should be just fine to use a patched round ball. A tightly woven 0.020 cotton ticking or drill cloth will grab the ball, fill the grooves and provide excellent performance. After all, Sam and Jake Hawken used the 1 in 48" twist in their rifles and round ball accuracy was excellent.

In sort, it's the depth of the grooves, not the rate of twist.

 

[Dixieshedhunter]

Nice time capsule-on to the second life. Cool!

PD

 

[rdlowe]

Thanks guys! I should have a better idea by the end of the day. I have 4 patch materials on hand to try out. The gun only came with one globe insert for the front sight. I'll just experiment with distance until the replacement set I ordered arrives (and hope those fit).