New guy with 1st BP rifle

[bpd303]

Track of the Wolf carries both Hickory and synthetic rods. http://www.trackofthewolf.com/List/Category.aspx/632#829

 

New to the forum and the world of muzzle loading, and of course I have questions. I have acquired a Sears .45 Kentucky Long Rifle Kit. It’s still in the box and all the parts are there. I’ve done a little research and found they were made by the Miroku Company in Japan, and they were sold in the early to mid 70s. It is a percussion rifle, and the barrel is marked “Black Powder Only”. I plan on putting it together and seeing how well it will shoot. Who knows, maybe a little hunting if it shoots good enough. If not I think it would be a blast to just target shoot with it. I have never owned a BP rifle, but always wanted one.

So on with the questions:
1.How do I figure out what the barrel twist is?
2.Best size ball/patch/charge combo to start out with?
3.Which power to use old fashioned or a modern?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, Tom

You already got some good info.
As to hunting check your local regulations first.
As to ball size. Most take a .433 or .440 depending on patch material thickness.
Cotton normally about .010 so a .440
Pillow ticking normally about .018 so .433
But you do need to check your bore.
I do cast a sell the .440
put a snug fitting patch on the rod so it grips the grooves. mark the rod at 2 ft and on one side aligned with the site. gently push rod and let it rotate. count the revolutions.
Powder whichever you prefer and have access too.

 

[Alden]

That is an interesting way to gauge twist.

LOL -- no it is not. Especially when you may not have a barrel and rod long enough to get a full turn.

 

[Zonie]

To guage the twist, you don't need to get a full turn of the ramrod.

On a slow twist barrel I've used 1/2 turn or even 1/4 turn of the ramrod to determine the measuring point.

If I use 1/4 turn as a stopping place and the ramrod has moved 12 inches to rotate it that much then the barrels twist is 4 times 12" = 48 inches.

 

[Alden]

Right.

 

[satx78247]

WELCOME to the BP hobby or "addiction". - It's nice to have another "wild & rebellious Texican" on the forum.

yours, satx