What Muzzleloading Stuff Did You Do Today?

[Eterry]

I got my 200gr conical mold in the mail. I can't wait to run conical for my '58 Rem.

 

[Matt85]

Good shooting for such a hot load. What caliber? My 54 came out of my hands at 60grs ffg. My Queen Anne 50 is light as can be, and I like 40grs fffg.

Ricochet? Don't use scrap cars for a back stop! Ask me how i know!

Not a hot load, this big girl is a 69 caliber smooth bore using an unpatched .65" ball. Muzzle velocity is only around 500fps with 70gr of powder. The .65" ball weighs 400gr while a .490" ball weighs around 175gr, it takes a lot more powder to get the big ball moving. I've tested it up to 90gr loads but found the velocity drops off past 80gr (just not enough barrel). 80gr of powder yields around 600fps.

 

[Fisherking]

I went to a muzzleloader show here locally. I saw some neat stuff and everyone seemed nice enough. I only brought one thing home- a maple (I think) and antler priming flask. I thought it was really cool and would’ve bought it at twice the price.

 

[TDM]

That’s a beauty @Fisherking !

 

[Fisherking]

I thought so too! If I was smarter, I would’ve grabbed the guys name if I needed another one. It also makes me want to try and duplicate it.

Today was a good day.

 

[TDM]

Today was a good day.

You did good, it really is a pretty one and different.

 

[oldwood]

Still building a .555 cal smooth long rifle between times of nursing a sick wife. Worked on the smooth rifle about two hours today. Trued up the forearm profiles around the r/r thimbles , rasp, file , rasp , file. Rasped the belly away , between the front of the trigger plate , and the entry r/r pipe. Checked progress with a 12 " metal straight edge , until dead nuts perfection was reached. Applied a new center line between trigger plate , and r/r entry thimble extension. This final center line will be the guide center line when final stock shaping begins , on the forearm. Soon as my talented metal smith neighbor , is finished making the all copper trigger guard , copper side plate , and copper for end cap , are finished tonight , whatever parts of the three pieces , will be finished and inlet , tomorrow, or when expedient .. Next , a center knot will be removed from below the cheek piece. The walnut in that area is so hard , cabinet rasps only skid across the wood , so will break out the 26,000 RPM die grinder w/rasp bit on it. 'til next time..........oldwood

 

[Matt85]

Still building a .555 cal smooth long rifle between times of nursing a sick wife. Worked on the smooth rifle about two hours today. Trued up the forearm profiles around the r/r thimbles , rasp, file , rasp , file. Rasped the belly away , between the front of the trigger plate , and the entry r/r pipe. Checked progress with a 12 " metal straight edge , until dead nuts perfection was reached. Applied a new center line between trigger plate , and r/r entry thimble extension. This final center line will be the guide center line when final stock shaping begins , on the forearm. Soon as my talented metal smith neighbor , is finished making the all copper trigger guard , copper side plate , and copper for end cap , are finished tonight , whatever parts of the three pieces , will be finished and inlet , tomorrow, or when expedient .. Next , a center knot will be removed from below the cheek piece. The walnut in that area is so hard , cabinet rasps only skid across the wood , so will break out the 26,000 RPM die grinder w/rasp bit on it. 'til next time..........oldwood

Probably a stupid question, but what is a "smooth rifle"?

 

[holzwurm]

Finally finished drilling in the barrel wire pins, RR thimbles and wedges. Might have to remake the horn nose. Not happy how it turned out.

 

[holzwurm]

a smooth rifle is a smooth bore gun which is designed around the rifle style. It looks like a rifle.

 

[TDM]

Finally finished drilling in the barrel wire pins, RR thimbles and wedges. Might have to remake the horn nose. Not happy how it turned out.

I find nothing fun about drilling pin holes either.

 

[pacanis]

Agree, I have one, but it’s a super el cheapo from HF, I can’t focus with the lenses. Time to get a better one.

Here's the one I bought ten years ago. It works well.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015IN8J6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[BillKilgore]

Here's the one I bought ten years ago. It works well.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015IN8J6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It must be a good brand. @painter recommended the Donegan DA-4.

Thanks both for the recommendation .

 

[Gwalchmai]

Shooting my Pedersoli Brown Bess and bemoaning the cost of lead balls!

 

[Pilgrim]

Placed an order with Kibler’s for one of their Woodsrunner Quaker carving stocks and Jim’s book on stock carving. Hopefully get some useful practice in before the real one arrives.

I have the book and I wasn't disappointed with it. I have not bought the stock yet, I'm not that far along.

 

[Pilgrim]

I brought out a knife project I set aside for a break. I am putting a scandi grind on the blade and working on the point. It will be a belt knife if if it survives. Sorry about spell check. I have corrected the problem.

 

[Bgraber]

Haven't been able to get to the range for a while but, as we all know, black powder firearms require periodic affection and attention.. So I've been working through the arsenal, checking for rust (none), wiping out the bores and applying fresh oil. Finally, putting on a fresh layer of Renaissance Wax. This kind of care keeps them from sulking when you can't get to the range.

Jeff

What exactly is renaissance wax? Thanks

 

[TDM]

What exactly is renaissance wax? Thanks

 

[BullRunBear]

Bgraber, Renaissance wax is used by museums to protect metal and wood artefacts like knives, swords, guns, furniture, etc. I use it on all my guns and carbon steel knives and wood carvings. It applies easily, goes on in a VERY thin layer, and a little goes a long way. It's great for bringing out the grain in wood and protecting metal. I got two 7 ounce containers from Amazon that will last me for decades.

Jeff

 

[Dale Allen Raby]

We're having one of our late season "blizzards" today and it's actually closer to a real blizzard than I like to see. Snowing heavily and the forecast says it won't quit until tomorrow. I'd guess we have six or eight inches of heavy snow on the ground now, so I was surprised to see a FedEx truck pull up to my house. This is what he brought me: