question on flint lock new to me

[1853enfield]

I recently got my first flint lock rifle. it is a 40 caliber no markings on lock as a matter of fact the only mark is a star on the barrel tang. maple stock a nice copy of Kentucky rifle. my question is what is the best depth of rifling? I slugged a bit of barrel and honest it looks like the groove is right at 20 thou. deep. like 10 thou. per side. this seems pretty deep to me. I can say it shoots pretty good when I don't flinch because of the sparks. I am shooting .395 round balls patched so they load without a lot of pressure. I got lucky and found a lyman 4 cavity round ball mould with handles on e-bay for 30 bucks. anyway I was just wondering what the normal depth of the groove is. thanks 1853enfield

 

[Artificer]

Groove depth on Long Rifles ran .008" to .012" (sometimes maybe a bit more) depending on who did it and when it was done. So your rifle is right in line with what was common.

With your Forum Name being 1853enfield, I imagine you are used to Minie' Ball Rifle Muskets that had much wider and shallower groove rifling. The wider grooves and the expanding base of the Minie' Ball does not need such deep grooves as is needed for a patched round ball.

Gus

 

[Rifleman1776]

As said, your depth is right there with the more common/popular barrels you will see on the range. Work up yer load and enjoy. :grin:

 

[Mickc01]

hotoSmile:

 

[1853enfield]

i tried to add photo don't have a clue how to do it

 

[Mickc01]

Check out this link. It will take you to instruction for how to post photos. Warning, it may take a little experimenting. http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/287747/

 

[Obi-Wan Cannoli]

i tried to add photo don't have a clue how to do it

pt me if you need help setting up photobucket and posting pictures to the forum, and I will set aside some time to help you work through it

or just post again if you do not know how to pt somebody and I will walk you through both
:wink:

 

[StewartLeach]

I have two 40 cals, one a Green Mtn percussion barrel for a Lyman GP, and the other a beautiful lefty flinter by Jack Patterson. Both shoot best with a pretty tight patch and ball combination. Nothing really forced, but it takes a right goodly thump or two on the ball starter to get things headed the right direction. The Green Mtn barrel uses a .395 ball and Wally Mart pillow ticking for patch, while the Patterson rifle has a tight bore and requires a home cast ball from a Lee .380 mold, gripped in a patch of JoAnn Fabrics Number 40 Pocket Drill.

The most fun I have had the last several winters has been hunting cottontails with the Patterson. Darn fine rifle.

 

[1853enfield]

I have close to a hundred firearms but I have really caught love affair for my flintlock. makes me wonder why I didn't discover them sooner. nothing like the smell of black powder in the morning... and I mean nothing except cleaning them. that said the darn things grow on you . spark bang what a nice combination.

 

[yardhunter]

I have close to a hundred firearms but I have really caught love affair for my flintlock. makes me wonder why I didn't discover them sooner. nothing like the smell of black powder in the morning... and I mean nothing except cleaning them. that said the darn things grow on you . spark bang what a nice combination.

Yeah”¦..I agree with you & feel the same way.

I couldn't get out & shoot and was 100% bored during a snowstorm here a few weeks ago & put this set of shooting clips together.
I have no interest in other guns anymore.
Real men shoot flint”¦.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBBnNJ4DS3c