Old rifle new shooter

[Turtle Creek]

First post.
Picked up a nice Virginia Colonial 2nd hand..maker unknown.
42 in. .54 swamped Colerain, large Siler, mild tiger stripe no box. (hope the pic loads).
Shot 25 rounds today and it really goes nicely.
Had a few snaps/flashpan but all my fault learning the rifle (.54

[/URL][/img] Hawken cap for years).
Prints dead on at 25 meters, 5 round group about quarter sized sitting supported. Funny that it seemed to like the .526 ball and .015 patch the best @ 70 grains plinking load. Did better that way than with the .530.
Anyways Howdy from Az and this is a very informative site.

 

[hanshi]

You got yourself a beautiful rifle! :thumbsup:

 

[Turtle Creek]

Thanks. The builder, whoever he was, did a nice job.
I bought one of those TOTW brass C clamp vent barrel cleaners and man, what a nice deal. Not a drop of water on the stock...having a hooked breech Hawken made life easy and was worried about making a freakin mess.
Whoever built it must of been near my size and hold as it shot plumb without touching the sights.
We have a range in Wickenburg where once oriented you get the padlock info so I had the place to myself (outside dif meter ranges)...that is the real deal.....just mosey about on your own hook.

 

[azmntman]

Surprised they still letting you shoot per fire danger, they implements ban on all shooting up here in the Flagstaff area! TOO HOT or I would join ya!

 

[Turtle Creek]

Very controlled hard packed dirt range with huge berms between the individual ranges...no problem but I do watch my patches.
The firing line has cover over it so I go noonish because of the heat...keeps most folks away.
If you ever make it down this way let me know...can take guests.
BTW, now that I think about it that 5 rd group was a 2" quarter....kind of like fishing.

 

[TLanoy]

Beautiful rifle and great post! Welcome to the sport. :thumbsup:

 

[don hepler]

Nice! Sounds like a good combination.

 

[Turtle Creek]

Thanks, all of my flint knowledge is second hand so I could use some schooling.
Still, had a pretty successful first time out with the rifle and think I know why I had my snaps/flashpan issues....not watching my flint (got loose) and swiped between shots with some cleaner and seemed to bog things up....whenever I shot consecutively no issues.
More attn. to detail in other words but really had a good time.

 

[MacRob46]

The hot, dry air out your way will cause the fouling to build up and get hard much more quickly than with some humidity. Wiping between shots may help but, as you said, it can also gum up the works some times. Very nice looking rifle. Close up pics please.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Nice rifle. It should be an all arounder. You do need to bench it at 50 and 100 yards to determine best ball size and charge. Measure the twist. Slower will mean larger charges for tight groups.
And do swab between shots. Using a damp, not wet, patch will not gum up anything.

 

[Turtle Creek]

MacRob..thanks for the tip on the fouling and it did harden up right quick...btw, my family, on Mom's side, were border reivers before they came here in 1711.
The barrel is a Collerain with a 1 in 56 twist so I'll do as you suggest and up the powder charge at longer ranges.
What will take some time is that I don't know exactly what 'right looks like' when it comes to flints in general and their orientation to the frizzen/pan.
My mission statement yesterday was to get the thing to shoot (which it did well) and shoot straight (and it does)....now I'll get all scientific!

 

[Swede50]

Beautiful rifle do you have any close-up pics?
I like that you showed the rife first without anyone asking.

 

[rafterob]

Think I got a couple of 5" quarters in my tackle box.

 

[Turtle Creek]

No but I can take a few more...pretty basic design but the maker did a nice tight job with the wood to metal etc. It's been shot quite a bit but was well cared for too, bore is very nice/even etc.

 

[Turtle Creek]

Here you go...simple but well done.

[/URL][/img]

[/URL][/img]

 

[Col. Batguano]

Is that wrist shape right for a Virginia? It seems to extend back quite a ways before it makes the turn downwards.

How sharp is the radius in front of the lock panels?

 

[Turtle Creek]

Col.
I have no idea to either and, no offense intended,
don't much care.
I'm retired military so won't be joining a Regiment.
Looks good to my untrained eye and shoots good.

 

[Turtle Creek]

Col.
Reread my post and still sounded terse.
I'm really wanting 'how to make it shoot better' tips rather than the esthetics but get your point.
I'm guessing it should have more butt stock less wrist?
Anyway was just passing what Ethan at TOTW told me it was.
What I'd really like to know about is my flint line up...does that look about right?
What is the advantage to flipping it bevel up or is that dependent on hammer frizzen orientation?

 

[azmntman]

Whats it look like at half-cock with frizzen closed? Very nice gun too....I wouldnt give a hoot if it was a smidge off perfect either, it looks perfect to me!

 

[Turtle Creek]

What should it look like half cock/frizzen closed?
Should the flint touch/not touch and be at what angle to the frizzen surface?
You get my drift.

BTW. It was either made here or someone bought their semi custom kit....same furniture.
http://cabincreek.net/revspecs/colonial-virginia-rifle/