What Muzzleloading Stuff Did You Do Today?

[Ol' Traveler]

This evening I finally finished my 1st Rifle Kit build. Traditions Kentucky Rifle Kit .50 Cal. As is with everything I work on, it's not as good as I hoped but I like it. With any luck, the weather will clear a little and I'll get to shoot it soon. As soon as I figure out the upload rules and regs in the forum, I'll post a photo.

 

[Loja man]

This evening I finally finished my 1st Rifle Kit build. Traditions Kentucky Rifle Kit .50 Cal. As is with everything I work on, it's not as good as I hoped but I like it. With any luck, the weather will clear a little and I'll get to shoot it soon. As soon as I figure out the upload rules and regs in the forum, I'll post a photo.

That’s great!! I would venture to guess there are very few craftsman, who will look at the finished product and not regret/critique some aspect of it. I look forward to seeing your pictures!

 

[Shawrco]

Set out to do an initial clean on the new-to-me TC Hawken 50 cal using a TC cleaning kit I purchased as part of the equipment needed for this BP game... jag didn't have ribs like most I've seen. Applied some of the T17 bore cleaner on one of the patches and sent it down the bore where it promptly got stuck at the bottom. I'm guessing it wasn't wet enough, but I had run a dry patch down using the ramrod that came with the rifle (had to ribbed button), and it came out fine. Anyway, armed with the knowledge I've gained in my short tenure on this forum I promptly removed the nipple, added about 6gr 3F and shot it out. I found the patch, but not the jag... didn't like that style anyway, looked almost like a great plains bullet.

 

[deerstalkert]

today i knuckled down and cleaned my gun shop. at least i cleaned one part of my gun shop. ok, i got one bench top cleared of the 4-5 layers of stuff that was on it.
actually a beneficial endeavor !
i discovered, 45 .30 cal round balls, 50 .600 round balls, 2 or 3 jags of various sizes, a bore snake, 10 or so flints of different sizes, a vent pick, a ox-yoke vent liner, dozens of loose cleaning patches, and a half pound of fff powder.
also discovered several dozen used cleaning patches.
if the remaining bench tops yield a trove like this one, i will be rich!

 

[bassncrap]

Found these in the box of stuff my dad fave me last week.....

 

[Hawk54]

Got six inches of snow here. Worked on a CVA Kentucky pistol kit I have had laying around for a while. When I screw the end cap to the barrel there is about a sixteenth of an inch gap between the end of the stock and the end cap. The kit had been partially worked on so maybe someone did something wrong. Never know.

 

[Stykbow]

@deerstalkert sounds like you and me have the same outlook on clean work benches. I firmly believe that a clean bench is a sign of a sick mind.

 

[deerstalkert]

@deerstalkert sounds like you and me have the same outlook on clean work benches. I firmly believe that a clean bench is a sign of a sick mind.

i actually dream of having a clean work space. that's it though, only a dream!

 

[22ceejay]

Nothing today except read a bit. However, allow me to describe Saturdays event. A local group here in the Wilkes & Surry Co. area of NC ( Sportsmen with a Cause) gather up a group of foster kids and meet at a local Fire Dept and a unmentioned property owner and take them Deer Hunting. Having several meals, along with setting up several shooting opportunities including a couple of my Flintlocks. They did not go hunting this year by request of the NCWRC and the CWD that has been reported in a close by area. Anyway, I think there were 12 youngsters, some that had never shot any kind of Rifle muchless a Flinter. I had help from my neighbor and a coworker with loading and cleaning. Shooting off a bag at about 12 yards at flat facing playing cards and at cards on edge along with some 3/16" dowel rods. I think 6 cards were cut completely in half while numerous flat facing ones were hit dead center. Quite a feat considering most had never saw a front stuffer before. Along with my flinters, a local gun shop brought some unmentionables and a local high school team mentored them with advise and instructions with some fine 22LR trigger time. Also some clay target time with more unmentionable scatter guns. What a great time introducing these fine youngsters to a wonderful and wide range of shooting sport disciplines. I hope this is OK to post on here and also hope that this could lead to a few new future members into our interesting and dying shooting sport. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

 

[SciAggie]

I ran a patch down several barrels today just to check. All was well.

 

[CapPopper]

Gun season here

 

[Ed C.]

I’m actually getting to where I prefer 3F in my .50’s. A .50 can use either successfully.

Thank you!

 

[Ed C.]

Worked on the little Traditions rifle I bought for the grandkids. Finished smoothing out the lock and trigger and have them back together. Stripped the barrel to reblue and did the worst job I’ve ever done. Looks terrible. Not sure what happened but I’ll try again tomorrow. My SMR kit is supposed to arrive Thursday, looking forward to that.

I was thinking about getting a kit but the idea of blueing stopped me. I've done some blueing before and it came out OK.....just OK....not what I'd want on a new gun.

 

[TDM]

I was thinking about getting a kit but the idea of blueing stopped me. I've done some blueing before and it came out OK.....just OK....not what I'd want on a new gun.

I’ve blued quite a few and have had good results. I just missed doing something today that caused a problem. You can always strip and redo so keep plugging away at it.

 

[Ed C.]

Nope, I prefer 3F in all my guns including 58 cal. Muskets. In my 50 cal Hatfield, I use 30 gr at 25 yds., 35 gr at 50 yds and 45 grains at 100yds. .490 ball, .018 ticking and dawn (10-20%) solution for lube at range. Bore butter for hunting. I think 3F burns cleaner and is fouls less. Also, Ive taken to seating my PRB with a moistened patch. A bit of fouling is removed and your barrel condition is consistent in doing so. Good luck with the new toy!

Thanks and for the info on loading. 45 grains is what I use in my Walker but is is just about a rifle with a pistol stock!

 

[Ed C.]

I shoot 3Fg in my .50s, one of which is an Investarm Hawken.

FWIW, I found that my rifle doesn't shoot as accurately with light loads as with 60 - 70 grains of powder. I shoot a .490 ball and use .018 pillow ticking for patches.

Thanks. I did order the .490 balls and .015 lubed ticking. I was going to start playing with 60-70 grain loads but some even lighter loads have been suggested so I guess I'll be doing some bench shooting for a bit, sighting in and playing with loads. For me, with open sights, 50 yards is fun....25 yards is even more fun! LOL!

 

[64Springer]

i actually dream of having a clean work space. that's it though, only a dream!

True creativity cannot take place in a clean shop.

 

[nhmoose]

Cleaned the rifle my son's friend [note 3 weeks into the any rifle season he still shot his TC ML] shot and killed a small buck. Great deal as I got 1/2 the meat. Meat will be canned in the morning along with most of his. We like eating it all year. Took till this late going to bed now see you around noon tomorrow.

 

[Lawdawg98]

I bought a bison horn online to create another powder horn.

 

[Tn mtn man]

Ground up some venison and pork for burgers this afternoon and Cooked some this evening. The kids loved them and I think it was really one of the best hamburgers I have had.
Life is good

Makes good Chile also