What Muzzleloading Stuff Did You Do Today?

[longcruise]

Bought new muzzleloader magazine today.

Now that's gotta beat a loading block!

 

[R Ellis]

Bought a H&A 45 cal under hammer on Gun Broker

 

[aussie pete]

Shot the Colt Special M1861 at 50 yds w/ "military" load of 60 grains and lubed Minie ball in home-rolled paper cartridges. Prints nine inches high and two inches left. Have to think about whether or not to just leave it be for now. Based on the way the rifle sounds and feels when shot, my guess is it would be happier with a heavier load. Will have to make up some new cartridges with 65 grains I suppose. Though I'd rather just pour and ram than fool with first making those cartridges. I can see it for military battle use, but no great advantage for a range toy. The only sticky part is lubing those Minie ball grease grooves in the field. I'm thinking I could do that much at least at home, and roll them up lined up nose to tail in a tube of wax paper for transport to range.

Hey wiscoaster. I've been down the same road as you with my Parker Hale Enfield's 53 and 58. I only shoot my rifled muskets at the range, though may hunt with them one day. My rifles shoot high at the lowest setting too; I have got around that by using a 'fine sight' rather than the usual military one. I let the shot go at point of aim with only the slightest amount of front sight visible in the rear notch - a bit like a shotgun bead, if that makes sense. I lube my minies with 80/20 beeswax and lard, dipping them into the liquid with needle nose pliers when melted over a double boiler. I remove excess lube by using a funnel cut down to .577. Initially, I did let the muzzle remove the lube when loading, but this wasn't conducive to accuracy - I found too much lube opened groups considerably.

Another thing, and I have to say I have no scientific reason, but I now use an over powder layer of semolina before seating the minie; the same volume as the powder charge. This has worked well for me in both rifled muskets. I was watching a Hungarian International Competition on YouTube a few years back and noticed that most military shooters on the line were using filler.

None of my practices are aligned to the way these muskets should be loaded in the pure military manner, but I sure am pleased with the groups and accuracy that ensues.

Cheers, Pete

 

[TDM]

Bought a H&A 45 cal under hammer on Gun Broker

Photos when you can, those are nice.

 

[Justin.44]

Today my son and I attended the offhand meat match at my club that we practiced for yesterday (his first shooting match). We had a great time and he did pretty well! I won 2 of the 12 rounds and got 10 packs of good meat out of it. It was especially satisfying that we were shooting the .490 and .530 balls we made together a couple weeks ago! It was a good day.

 

[Terry Lightle]

Swabbed barrel,filled my horn ,made sandwiches and loaded everything in my truck for first day with my draw in tags on a federal refuge ,2 does or 1 buck and 1 doe and have 7 days

 

[Indy Durtdigger]

Made a 50gr powder measure out of a piece of deer antler. Had several squirrel chewed antlers sitting around for years and finally figured what the heck. Might as well start making use of them. The smaller ones at least.

 

[Jim K]

Went to Standing Stone muzzleloader woods walk today. Had a great time. Shot with some nice people.

 

[smo]

Camped the last two nights at our club in Northern Mississippi.
It was our scheduled clean up weekend prior too of Fall rendezvous..

Lots of weed eating , removing down trees on the woods walk.

Hauled & stacked fire wood in preparation of the cold Northern Mississippi winter…

39 f this morning as we broke camp, one of the first cool snaps of the season..

I noticed what appeared to be two foot drifts in several fields as I drove North on my way home today…

Mississippi snow cover..

 

[oldschoolhunter55]

Set up camp and got the coffee on.
View attachment 258914

Doesnt get any better than that. Enjoy yourself

 

[oldschoolhunter55]

View attachment 258927

Finally got gun rack done and up. Kinda wanted to re-finish walls and paint first but wife wanted them off the floor and outta the corners. Hunting season now so won't get to walls till February but she's happy.

Thats a nice bunch you have hangin up there

 

[deerstalkert]

sold a cap lock. greyed a cap lock barrel. bout it!

 

[Rob M.]

Browned some iron.parts and barrel for current build , stacked firewood , scouted for deer sign in the woods by the gun shop , then filed and sanded on my N.W. gun , almost to completion !! So close !

 

[Thingamajiggy]

Thats a nice bunch you have hangin up there

Thanks! The results of literally throwing myself down the rabbit hole. A kashtuk .62 fowler, a Jim Chamberlain .58 lehigh, a Jackie Brown .54 virginia and a .50 Kibler woodsrunner. The .54 lyman GPR will probably be looking for a new home to help pay for the others and to thin the herd, LOL.

 

[wiscoaster]

....I have got around that by using a 'fine sight' rather than the usual military one.....

Ya, thanks, I own Carcanos, so I'm familiar with what I call an "Italian" sight picture. I was thinking of trying it out next, but ran out of ammo. Will try next trip.

 

[wiscoaster]

...

Another thing, and I have to say I have no scientific reason, but I now use an over powder layer of semolina before seating the minie; ...

I use corn meal in my cap 'n ball cartridges, and was trying to come up with some way of using that with the Minie balls. I made a couple cartridges with the recessed bases filled, but it's probably not enough meal, and also kind of iffy whether it actually ends up sitting on top of the powder under the ball.

I wonder if it's feasible to make a paper cartridge with three envelopes (one containing the meal)?

 

[Polecat_Tom]

I finished up two knife sheaths this weekend.
The Sheath #10 photo is a Crow inspired pattern beaded on red trade wool and saddle stitched with a poly thread that was recommended by Tandy Leather. I did not use a welt in the area under the tacks but glued that section so the blade shouldn't come in contact with the tacks. I annealed the tacks, so they were easier to clench on the backside. The length of the case is 12 inches.

Sheath #11 is inspired by a Cree Knife case. it is 11" in length and beaded on deer which is covering a rawhide case.

 

[Songwriter]

Those are pretty great looking! Where do you get your trade wool?

 

[TDM]

Very nice sheaths! @Polecat_Tom

 

[longcruise]

I finished up two knife sheaths this weekend.
The Sheath #10 photo is a Crow inspired pattern beaded on red trade wool and saddle stitched with a poly thread that was recommended by Tandy Leather. I did not use a welt in the area under the tacks but glued that section so the blade shouldn't come in contact with the tacks. I annealed the tacks, so they were easier to clench on the backside. The length of the case is 12 inches.

Sheath #11 is inspired by a Cree Knife case. it is 11" in length and beaded on deer which is covering a rawhide case.

Your work is great. I'm inspired to give beadwork a try when that old winter gloom sets in.