What Muzzleloading Stuff Did You Do Today?
- Thread starter PathfinderNC
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Had a nice range day with my dad. Got my Kentucky Rifle dialed in pretty good. Seems to like 60gr pyrodex with a .015 patch and .490 ball. There's some slight tearing of the patches on the rifling, but seems to only be on 2 or 3 grooves on most of the patches I found. Might be overthinking it. I didn't have a tape measure or calipers, but at 50 yards it's shooting about a 1.5"-2" group, and at 100 yards it's probably around a 6" group. But I was just resting the barrel on my range bag, so I'm sure the rifle is shooting tighter than I am. Groups opened way up with 55gr and 65 gr, I was shocked to see how much difference 5gr can make.
On a side note, something about my facial structure and the stock on my Kentucky Rifle just don't get along. To get a good cheek weld on it, I'm putting it right under my cheek bone. Most of my rifles I can get it a bit lower and shoot comfortably all day. 45-50 rounds down range today and my cheek bone is a bit tender and swollen. I'm not stranger to shoulder thumpers, but a cheek thumper is a new one for me. Might make myself a nice leather cheek pad/riser for it. Been a while since I've done any leather tooling, could be a fun project.
On a side note, something about my facial structure and the stock on my Kentucky Rifle just don't get along. To get a good cheek weld on it, I'm putting it right under my cheek bone. Most of my rifles I can get it a bit lower and shoot comfortably all day. 45-50 rounds down range today and my cheek bone is a bit tender and swollen. I'm not stranger to shoulder thumpers, but a cheek thumper is a new one for me. Might make myself a nice leather cheek pad/riser for it. Been a while since I've done any leather tooling, could be a fun project.
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Mine dose the same for me!!! When I’m just plinking I feed it about 30 grains!! That way I don’t have a sore face!
Banjoman
Hillbilly
Mine does if I position myself and the gun too low on the bench. If I sit up straighter and rest my elbows on the bench or even better, stand up then I don’t have that problem. I prefer to shoot standing up.
I was using it as a handle to rotate the chuck. When not it use I keep it on top of the headstock held in place by the little black magnet visible in the pic. The clear plastic cover for the chuck has an interlock that disconnects power when in the open position as shown.
I am mindful that machine tools can hurt you badly with zero warning so I am careful around them.
longcruise
70 Cal.
Last night, not today 
As related here, It leaks!! I had this experience with a new build on an older CVA Kentucky rifle kit. Last night I took a closer look.
First thing I did was check to see if it simply wasn't turned in all the way. I was able to turn it in about an 1/8 and checked to see if it made a difference. It didn't! Filled the barrel with water and it leaked around the drum AND the nipple.
I removed the drum for inspection and saw no problem with the threads. Looking carefully at the drum/ nipple it seems the nipple was mounted at a slight angle. Hard to see in this picture.
I'm pretty sure that is the problem with the nipple leak. It needs to be straight and flush.
I think the drum may be slightly longer than the hole drilled and tapped for it which might have been prevented it from seating all the way. But given that I was able to take that 1/8 turn, it is not worth dealing with it and then there's also that nipple problem!
Ordered a new drum and set it aside until it arrives.
As related here, It leaks!! I had this experience with a new build on an older CVA Kentucky rifle kit. Last night I took a closer look.
First thing I did was check to see if it simply wasn't turned in all the way. I was able to turn it in about an 1/8 and checked to see if it made a difference. It didn't! Filled the barrel with water and it leaked around the drum AND the nipple.
I removed the drum for inspection and saw no problem with the threads. Looking carefully at the drum/ nipple it seems the nipple was mounted at a slight angle. Hard to see in this picture.
I'm pretty sure that is the problem with the nipple leak. It needs to be straight and flush.
I think the drum may be slightly longer than the hole drilled and tapped for it which might have been prevented it from seating all the way. But given that I was able to take that 1/8 turn, it is not worth dealing with it and then there's also that nipple problem!
Ordered a new drum and set it aside until it arrives.
1st coat of Chamber's Stock oil on the standard grade maple Kibler SMR
Took the little 1851 out to shoot in the cold (51 degs.) today. I was reminded how comfortable it is to shoot. Seems I can't shoot any better off a rest than offhand. All fun anyway!
Cold 51° ? It's -4 here in Missouri
Participated in the N-SSA Snowball Skirmish.
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Shot in a woods walk today until my rifle's patent breech got so clogged I couldn't clear it in the field. I was able to do so after getting home. This rifle appears to need water flushed through the breech after each range session to maintain reliability. (I'd even removed the nipple yesterday and blasted electrical contact cleaner and compressed air through the flash channel in preparation for today, but apparently that wasn't enough. And no, I don't swab between shots.)
I had my friend use my iPhone to take a video of this shot, from which I grabbed a frame using VLC.
I had my friend use my iPhone to take a video of this shot, from which I grabbed a frame using VLC.
Tested my first batch of homemade caps today - every one went off!
Well..... I'm new to muzzle loading, been making powder and loading my 45 LC for years now and decided to step into actual ML. So, did a little shooting today. Got a chance to test my homemade 2F "antique propellent". Sent about 20 round balls down range and about 8 .50 PowerBelts to test POI shift, there was very little at 50 yards. I don't own a chrno "yet" so no velocities, all I had to go by was felt recoil between mine and Goex and mine had a tad bit more recoil at 90 grs, both powders grouped tight with no noticeable difference in powder cleanliness when running a patch after 2 rounds. My cast balls did good, .495 with .015 lubed patches. I understand this is probably run of the mill for y'all but for me on my 1st range session with pretty much all homemade components, I'm stoked..LOL
TDM
Cannon
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Your off to a great start!
Build yourself a flintlock next and learn how to knap your own gunflints and you'll never be out of components again.
I'm knee-deep in one of these things again....
I'm knee-deep in one of these things again....
aussie pete
40 Cal
aussie pete
40 Cal
If you say rabbit rabbit at the beginning of each month, it is supposed to bring you luck. And if you forget to say rabbit rabbit, later on in the day you can return your good luck by saying tibbar tibbar!You’re very close Longcruise
Pete
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Banjoman
Hillbilly
You’re right!That's rabbit spelled backwards, Banjoman.
Pete
I’m just wondering if there is anyone on here (besides me) who knows the story behind it. Hint: there is a Tibbar 1 out there somewhere.
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