What Muzzleloading Stuff Did You Do Today?

[Tacitus]

Been wanting a solid and stable shooting bench, and also wanted it to be primitive in keeping with the spirit of our hobby. While processing firewood this thought came to me. It was a breeze to make. 470 pounds of Tamarac. Rock solid and perfectly stable. I think it would not look out of place on a 19th century homestead, of which my modest mountain log cabin property bears a resemblance. Additionaly, It also did not cost even one solitary dime for materials.

 

[TDM]

Love it @Tacitus, looks great!

 

[user 31232]

SWEET SETUP !

 

[DrLaw]

Need some advice/critique on this. A gave the stock a good rub down with 0000 synthetic wool and it really smoothed the finish and blended the color better. I braved the heat to take some outside photos, there’s one inside too. Also I plan to finish with 3-4 coats of Tried & True oil varnish.

My questions are: do you think I’m starting off too dark?, Is it too red?, and do you think the inlet black is too much?

I was pleased that most of the black toned down but there’s several areas where I think it’s still a little heavy.

I like the look of the last photo, which appears to be the inside one. it has the look of wood, whereas, the first photos have the look of an aged barn paint job. However, if the last photo is what it is turning into, I think it is super. as for the blending of the black in the incisions, (or whatever they are called), I don't see a problem.

The Doc will send you his consulting fee now.

 

[DrLaw]

Been wanting a solid and stable shooting bench, and also wanted it to be primitive in keeping with the spirit of our hobby. While processing firewood this thought came to me. It was a breeze to make. 470 pounds of Tamarac. Rock solid and perfectly stable. I think it would not look out of place on a 19th century homestead, of which my modest mountain log cabin property bears a resemblance. Additionaly, It also did not cost even one solitary dime for materials.

Neat. With my luck, the gun would be tumbling off the bag the second I snapped the photo!

The Doc is envious now.

 

[John May]

Not strictly muzzle loading but definitely in the same ballpark, I spent the best part of the day sharpening a half dozen useful vintage chisels that I have purchased over the last year or so including one that had been used (abused) opening and stirring various paints! One lesson I quickly learnt was leave them in the honing guide, an old Eclipse no 36, until they have been through the system and stropped! Don’t be like me and try them all with 400 grit then again with 1000 etc!

 

[Tradbow]

Good advice Mr May.

 

[Tradbow]

Been wanting a solid and stable shooting bench, and also wanted it to be primitive in keeping with the spirit of our hobby. While processing firewood this thought came to me. It was a breeze to make. 470 pounds of Tamarac. Rock solid and perfectly stable. I think it would not look out of place on a 19th century homestead, of which my modest mountain log cabin property bears a resemblance. Additionaly, It also did not cost even one solitary dime for materials.View attachment 241596View attachment 241600View attachment 241603

@Tacitus , did you paint the bottom also? Would help with the longevity of your shooting log.

 

[Gordoncourtney]

Just got over Colvid tedious days in bed but I am alive, Spent the morning wire brushing the bore of my new Swiss 1861 Felstuter rifle ,loads of filth but not rust amazing It’s a lot of gun coming in at 11lbs for a .41/10.4mm 8 grove it’s got a very heavy hammer and set trigger my wife quite unwell,Colvid and Cystitus , “ you love your guns more than me”. For once we agree, but she must still isolate from me , don’t want that again .it’s raining London


You can watch it on utube with our handsome Hungarian

 

[Terrier]

Just got over Colvid tedious days in bed but I am alive, Spent the morning wire brushing the bore of my new Swiss 1861 Felstuter rifle ,loads of filth but not rust amazing It’s a lot of gun coming in at 11lbs for a .41/10.4mm 8 grove it’s got a very heavy hammer and set trigger my wife quite unwell,Colvid and Cystitus , “ you love your guns more than me”. For once we agree, but she must still isolate from me , don’t want that again .it’s raining London


You can watch it on utube with our handsome Hungarian

That's a good lookin' rifle! And glad you're okay... Best wishes to the wife, too...

 

[Hatman/2nd line]

Need some advice/critique on this. A gave the stock a good rub down with 0000 synthetic wool and it really smoothed the finish and blended the color better. I braved the heat to take some outside photos, there’s one inside too. Also I plan to finish with 3-4 coats of Tried & True oil varnish.

My questions are: do you think I’m starting off too dark?, Is it too red?, and do you think the inlet black is too much?

I was pleased that most of the black toned down but there’s several areas where I think it’s still a little heavy.

I think that the way it looks now is great, but from all I've read on the forum cherry gets darker as it ages....so! I guess you could sand/ lighten it up a little but the red looks good! In my humble opinion!!

 

[TDM]

I think that the way it looks now is great, but from all I've read on the forum cherry gets darker as it ages....so! I guess you could sand/ lighten it up a little but the red looks good! In my humble opinion!!

I agree, this morning I gave it another good burnishing and went over the darker incised line with a small stiff bristle brush. Seemed to even it out better. Just put the first coat of Tried & True on. After I wipe down this coat in an hour I’m going to hang it outside the rest of the day and repeat the process a couple more days.

 

[Buckskinquin]

Can’t find percussion caps anywhere in the SE. A buddy was going to Charlestown, WV for a week. Knowing he needs some quiet time, I asked him checkout the local Wallyworld. Scored 8 tins at $5.62!

 

[BillyC]

Need some advice/critique on this. A gave the stock a good rub down with 0000 synthetic wool and it really smoothed the finish and blended the color better. I braved the heat to take some outside photos, there’s one inside too. Also I plan to finish with 3-4 coats of Tried & True oil varnish.

My questions are: do you think I’m starting off too dark?, Is it too red?, and do you think the inlet black is too much?

I was pleased that most of the black toned down but there’s several areas where I think it’s still a little heavy.

I like the look of the last two pictures

 

[BillyC]

Just got over Colvid tedious days in bed but I am alive, Spent the morning wire brushing the bore of my new Swiss 1861 Felstuter rifle ,loads of filth but not rust amazing It’s a lot of gun coming in at 11lbs for a .41/10.4mm 8 grove it’s got a very heavy hammer and set trigger my wife quite unwell,Colvid and Cystitus , “ you love your guns more than me”. For once we agree, but she must still isolate from me , don’t want that again .it’s raining London


You can watch it on utube with our handsome Hungarian

Hoping you and your wife both get well ASAP.

 

[Terrier]

I agree, this morning I gave it another good burnishing and went over the darker incised line with a small stiff bristle brush. Seemed to even it out better. Just put the first coat of Tried & True on. After I wipe down this coat in an hour I’m going to hang it outside the rest of the day and repeat the process a couple more days.

I used Tried & True on the gun vise I built out of cherry a few months back. It darkened quickly outside in indirect sunlight.

 

[garypl]

Went back to my local Wally World to see if they have more CCI #11 caps. The entire sporting goods area was draped off with white tarps so you couldn't get in or look in. I asked an employee what's going on and she said 3 teens started a fire in there on Sundat afternoon - possibly to create a diversion because they were supposedly shoplifting. Said it caused $300k in damage. I asked if they caught the teens and she didn't know but said they have lots of video footage so hopefully they will be caught. Hard to believe the things young folks do these days - lack of good parenting, in my opinion.

 

[Tacitus]

@Tacitus , did you paint the bottom also? Would help with the longevity of your shooting log.

Tradbow, you are correct, the base also needs to be painted. As I was falling asleep last night my subconscious notified me that I had failed to paint the bottom. So it will get painted today. Thank you for the reminder.

 

[TDM]

I used Tried & True on the gun vise I built out of cherry a few months back. It darkened quickly outside in indirect sunlight.

I’m taking a break right now. After going outside several times I couldn’t stop sweating even back inside! I put the first coat of T & T on, left it hanging in the shop an hour or so, then wiped it down good. It’s hanging outside in full 99 degree sun now. Do you think that’s over doing it? I can move it into the shade if need be. In the process of draw filing the barrel now.

 

[Dale Lilly]

I found my lost [confused for a month or two] Evaporust. Now I can continue cleaning up my wife's CVA .32 Squirrel rifle some cool morning. It is hot here. Dale [oh yeah, I visited a cool forum for a while]