New caplock rifle (pics)

[Rifleman1776]

The 1:48 twist is not ideal for patched round balls,

Strongly disagree. The 1:48" twist is ideally ideal for patched round balls. Many consider it to be the standard. That rifle can be expected to shoot tight groups with moderate loads. BTW, the Lyman sights do have inserts available. Check out some of the modern gun supply companies. Those are good sights, probably no need to mess with them other than finding the right inserts.

 

[30coupe]

Strongly disagree. The 1:48" twist is ideally ideal for patched round balls. Many consider it to be the standard. That rifle can be expected to shoot tight groups with moderate loads. BTW, the Lyman sights do have inserts available. Check out some of the modern gun supply companies. Those are good sights, probably no need to mess with them other than finding the right inserts.

Well, that's fine. Volumes have been written in support of anywhere from 1:48 to 1:72" for patched round balls. Many claim that the slower rate allows for heavier charges for hunting. Many also claim the 1:48 twist is a compromise that works with both round balls and a variety of minnie-type bullets. The depth of the rifling also plays a key roll. Green Mountain made a killing selling 1:60" drop in "round ball" barrels for TC Hawken/Renegades back before inlines eroded the sidelock market. Was it just marketing hype? Maybe so. If so, it apparently worked.

I know the accuracy drops off once I get past 70 grains of powder with my TC Hawken. Since I have not had the opportunity to try a similar rifle with a deep groove 1:48" twist barrel like the original guns of the Hawken brothers, I don't know if accuracy with heavier loads would be possible. I hunt primarily whitetails, so a round ball in front of 70 grains of 3f black powder will surely get the job done.

One could make the assumption that the frontiersmen who bought rifles from the Hawkens were less concerned with long range shots than they were with conserving their limited supply of powder. Most of today's nimrods are probably moving from or adding to their centerfire rifle collection. I've been primarily a bow hunter, so I expect to get close to game. The frontiersmen were skilled woodsmen, so one would assume that getting close was also a part of their skill set.

It will be interesting to see how this rifle does with prb's, since the original owner apparently didn't shoot them.

 

[rdlowe]

The gun works great but I didn't find a load it likes just yet. Best group of the day was with 70gr of 2f, .530 ball, 0.15 patch and measured about an inch ctc at 30 yards. I didn't spend a lot of time or powder trying to dial it in tighter because the front globe sight was giving me fits. Once I can replace the insert with a standard post type I'll have another go. Those are on order so next trip I'll be able to eliminate sight picture as a variable.

With the same ball I was able to stuff 0.20 patches down the bore but loading was HARD. I tried a 0.10 patch just for the sake of science and it smouldered downrange while I reloaded. Box checked

According to the shooting logs the original owner did at least dabble with prb loads. In fact the package contained some lubed patch strips that he had cut from. Nothing in the logs indicates that he put much energy into it, though.

 

[rdlowe]

BTW, the Lyman sights do have inserts available. Check out some of the modern gun supply companies. Those are good sights, probably no need to mess with them other than finding the right inserts.

I think I found what I need. The insert measurements match up with the "small Redfield" globe sight. I ordered a sheet of them from Lee Shaver Gunsmithing.

 

[S.Kenton]

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

I have a Russ hamm lock on my wife’s half stock and it’s the same... I had to rework it a couple of years ago or so. Your rifle is very nice looking! I think I’d do some of my own experimentation and reduce powder charge, try roundball and try a thicker patch... I bet it’s a shooter!

 

[Grenadier1758]

I have a Russ hamm lock on my wife’s half stock and it’s the same... I had to rework it a couple of years ago or so. Your rifle is very nice looking! I think I’d do some of my own experimentation and reduce powder charge, try roundball and try a thicker patch... I bet it’s a shooter!

The rifle requiring the triggers to be set for the front trigger to trip the lock is an indication that the triggers are the source of the firing issue. The front lever may not be long enough to trip the sear, wood in the lock mortise may prevent the front lever from tripping the sear, or you have a single set trigger and the triggers were designed to only trip the the sear when the triggers are set.

Did the front trigger ever trip the sear when unset?

 

[S.Kenton]

The rifle requiring the triggers to be set for the front trigger to trip the lock is an indication that the triggers are the source of the firing issue. The front lever may not be long enough to trip the sear, wood in the lock mortise may prevent the front lever from tripping the sear, or you have a single set trigger and the triggers were designed to only trip the the sear when the triggers are set.

Did the front trigger ever trip the sear when unset?

My front trigger never tripped the sear, it’s the way it was made. I wonder if that was a primitive safety? I’ve seen quite a few like that that were built in the 70s

 

[Grenadier1758]

There are quite a few built in the 1830's that were single lever set trigger only. My J Fehr (Nazareth, PA) trigger for the 1837 Kennedy rifle is that way. Another member of my gun club has a similar original rifle and the trigger is almost identical to the J Fehr.

It was a common practice to have only the set trigger.

 

[Rat]

Yes, a well loved and cherished rifle, what a treasure. If I may ask, why switch back to #11 cap/nipple?

 

[hanshi]

Rifleman is correct; as long as the grooves are deep enough - at least .006" - a 1-48" twist will shoot prb just fine.

And that's a gorgeous rifle!

 

[rdlowe]

If I may ask, why switch back to #11 cap/nipple?

I just had #11 caps on hand already from my New Englander. Would you have left the musket nipple on instead?

 

[Rat]

I would, assuming more reliable ignition, but I don't know if that is true. The musket caps are certainly easier to handle in the cold. But on reliability I would not argue the point.

 

[drobs]

Nice looking rifle - love that wood!

 

[OLD CROW]

beautiful TIGER STRIPE!!!!
its ALL been said in the previous threads...
congrats.

 

[rdlowe]

Just an update. I got the new sight inserts and it made a huge difference. I was able to shoot cloverleafs at 30 yards so I went ahead and zeroed at that distance. Super happy.

On the downside my dry patch ballistiol and water mix didn’t cut it because of the deep rifling. Had to run the patches in some mink oil to seat the ball. I’m hoping I can twiddle with the ratio and make it work because I really like the system.

 

[Logcutter]

Wow. Nice rifle. That load he had worked up is a little on the stout side ain't it?

 

[rdlowe]

Wow. Nice rifle. That load he had worked up is a little on the stout side ain't it?

Gotta wonder if that was necessary. Let’s just say I’m really glad I don’t have to shoot that same load! Ha.

 

[Critter Getter]

Really a cool looking rifle. I'm shocked at how new the condition of the rifle appears knowing that it has been hunted with. Great gun to own. Greg

 

[bigted]

Very nice. Am waiting to hear how she handles 80 through 100ish loads behind a PRB.

Altho nothing wrong with a .530 shoved by 70 grains.

Really nice find. Have fun.