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What Muzzleloading Stuff Did You Do Today?

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Today I decided to “capture” the barrel key on my old T/C .50 Hawken. Cut and filed the slot in the barrel key, drilled a small counter sunk hole and reworked a brass round head wood screw to fit and secure the barrel key. Took awhile, but so does digging around in the tall grass to find it. Problem solved.
Snoot
Love it! All of my TC Hawkens and Senecas use solid brass wedges but I love my old shotguns that use grooved keys - for just the reason you mentioned! Well done! I'll have to dig out the files and go to work!
 
Finished up on this smoothbore.
The trigger guard is home-made and the butt-plate is moderately modified...
 

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Finally finished my second shoulder pouch, minus strap. I’m starting my first attempt at weaving a strap for it. Not the proper rings, but, it works for me.
Well, lol, finished it. Along with the monstrosity of a woven strap. Now that I know what I doing, well, sorta🤣🤣🤣, I’ll make a better strap. Since it’s shorter than anticipated, I’ll put this one on my 5 year olds grandsons little powder horn. It should last him a few years.
 

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Last Wednesday the temperature was warm with a little breeze . I couldn't resist getting my 1970s Thompson Center 50 cal.out to shoot. Had bought some new patches of .10,.15,.20 some 50cal. wads, moosemilk lube at the Trade fair show . Had a can of Black powder, can of triple 7,can of pyrodex. Shot 495 round balls 60grains of all powder. Did not like the moosemilk at all. Did not lobe enough to load the ball with .10 patch ,so did not try .15 patches.The wads (first time using them) were ok. Only thing I noticed was made patch shoot out further. Did not like the triple 7, shot 6 times , all shot low. Pyrodex 2f shot good, using 60 grains, wonder lube , and .15 patches and wads. 25 yard and 50 yard. Ball went through a 1inch decking board at both 25 and 50 yards, then went in to the stump behind it Definitely my deer hunting load. Only shot 3 rounds with black powder, but shot the same as the pyrodex. Save the Blackpowder for my pistols and shotgun. I put a stick through the hole in the board to show that it did go through.
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Last Wednesday the temperature was warm with a little breeze . I couldn't resist getting my 1970s Thompson Center 50 cal.out to shoot. Had bought some new patches of .10,.15,.20 some 50cal. wads, moosemilk lube at the Trade fair show . Had a can of Black powder, can of triple 7,can of pyrodex. Shot 495 round balls 60grains of all powder. Did not like the moosemilk at all. Did not lobe enough to load the ball with .10 patch ,so did not try .15 patches.The wads (first time using them) were ok. Only thing I noticed was made patch shoot out further. Did not like the triple 7, shot 6 times , all shot low. Pyrodex 2f shot good, using 60 grains, wonder lube , and .15 patches and wads. 25 yard and 50 yard. Ball went through a 1inch decking board at both 25 and 50 yards, then went in to the stump behind it Definitely my deer hunting load. Only shot 3 rounds with black powder, but shot the same as the pyrodex. Save the Blackpowder for my pistols and shotgun. I put a stick through the hole in the board to show that it did go through.I also changed the nipple out and put a musket nipple on . All rounds went boom ,and just felt like it shot better.
 
Today I decided to “capture” the barrel key on my old T/C .50 Hawken. Cut and filed the slot in the barrel key, drilled a small counter sunk hole and reworked a brass round head wood screw to fit and secure the barrel key. Took awhile, but so does digging around in the tall grass to find it. Problem solved.
Snoot
This is a wonderful idea. My Browning already has slotted wedges, but where did you buy yours?
 
The two piece .375 smooth bore barrel arrived today. Gotta love 4130 tubing.

Balls too.

Fun. Fun. Fun.


P.S. This will make a fine little rifle. Mirror bright inside.
 

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On the farm in Louisiana today. Dug out the trailer I’ve had eyed as a mobile shooting table and got it to the side. Gave clearance to get in that mess & cut down the grass/brush that had grown up over the years. Will try to get a pix of my cousin’s trailer that is the inspiration. Just mine will have a 32 gallon open ended drum to shoot through to help with noise abatement.
 
Draw filed the top flat on my Kibler kit. I need to find the chuck key, to the drill press, so I can pin the tip on the ramrod. May shoot the SMR 45 tomorrow.
 
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