Underhammer Project

[AZ Muzzle]

Here is my new underhammer rifle I built.

She has a Green Mountain Barrel .50 caliber, 7/8" octagon, 36" 1-70" twist. I have decided to leave the barrel in the white because the underhammer assembly from Fire & Iron looked so nice, I did not want to brown or blue. I am using a half buckhorn rear sight and a bladed bead front sight. I used the Fire & Iron wrist pin and adapter ring to complete the assembly installation.

The wood is Curley Maple and I carved the wood from a blank I got from Tiger Hunt Woods. I used a Hopkins & Allen design from the 1840’s with some of my own carving ideas but the outline of the stock I tried to stay true to the look. I stained the stocks with Mini Wax Wood Finish “Gunstock”. I really like this stain because it has an orange tint which really brings out the stripping, I then hand rubbed on five coats of Birchwood Tru-Oil Gun Stock Finish.

I used a hickory 3/8” ramrod that I candy stripped and used mahogany wood stain to achieve the striping. I used a 50 cal. jag with a hidden ball puller for the tip. The ramrod pipes are bronze tubing. The stock butt plate I made from ¼” steel platting. I heated the steel and hammered a slight shoulder curve for comfort. A little grinding and sanding and the plate looks fine. I pre-fitted to the stock and painted it a light flat black. The butt plate is still curing and is not installed in these photos.

Mark B

 

[RickD]

Mark,
I`m impressed

 

[hawk]

I like that ...nice lookin' :thumbsup: ...how's she shoot?

 

[AZ Muzzle]

I am planning to shoot her this week at the range. I will let you guys know what size loads she likes.

Mark B

 

[Short Arm]

Nice job,Like the wood

 

[chance]

WOW!!!

 

[mazo kid]

That looks very nice! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[HiWayMan]

That is just sexy as hell. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[John Wasmuth]

Thats very very nice.

 

[RADeO]

What an eyecatcher! BEAUTIFUL wood! :hatsoff: :hatsoff:

Did you get to try her out yet?

 

[AZ Muzzle]

I am taking her to the range tomorrow. I had family in town and was doing husband duty this past week.

I will report on the load that I find works best for her as well as the accuracy.

Mark B

 

[gmww]

You've done a wonderful job! :thumbsup:

 

[fatboy]

Nice wood looks great hope to here about your range time

 

[AZ Muzzle]

Lads,

I was able to spend some time at the range zeroing in my new build. She is a shooter for sure! I benched her at 50, 75, and 100 yards. With a little adjustment to the rear site (The sight is an adjustable buckhorn) I was able to put lead in the ten and nine ring consistently. It was approximately a 2” group after she was adjusted with many shoots right on top of each other. Did not have to file or adjust the front sites. Just raised the back sights, and away I went.

After benching her I shoot her standing off-hand at 75 yards. Mostly in the ten and nine ring, so I think she is ready for this Sunday shoot, with the Muzzle Stuffers from Mesa, AZ. I did have two flyers but that was my bad shooting habits popping up that caused those rounds to hit in the six ring .

The load I worked up to was 65 gr. Goex FFg, using a .490 round ball with a .010 Wonder Lube 50cal pre-cut round patch. I used Remington #11 caps and the hammer was crisp and strong with no issues. I also use CCI caps but I did not switch today. The trigger has a smooth pull that allows gentle squeezing allowing for good time on target sight picture. I would only be guessing at the trigger pull lbs. but she is set perfect for me. She has a 14” pull.

Mark B

 

[fatboy]

She sounds like a winner !!

 

[AZ Muzzle]

Shot at 85 yards Off-Hand with the 50 Cal Underhammer Rifle. The rounds were hitting low with 65 gr. Bumped up the charge to 70 gr. Goex FFg and the rounds started rising more on center. Still need a little filing on the steel fixed sights but she is getting tuned-up and the barrel is breaking in nicely.