What Muzzleloading Stuff Did You Do Today?

[PathfinderNC]

It's getting cold. I need a winter greatcoat. Half machine sewn, half hand sewn.

View attachment 363763

That looks sharp

 

[flconch53]

That looks sharp

Set up at Punta Gorda Gun show

 

[flconch53]

Set up at Punta Gorda Gun show

A couple more pictures

 

[revo3.3]

looked at my guns ! Lol

 

[PathfinderNC]

Decided to make a flat horn this afternoon. I know I am going to enjoy engraving this one!

 

[stubshaft]

I found some old .495 balls that were heavily oxidized. I wet tumbled in water and Comet cleaner with a small dash of Ballistol to prevent any future oxidation. While they do not come out shiny, they do come out smooth and oxide free.

 

[sethwyo]

Tracked down the first muzzloading rifle I had.
Was given it by a fella up in Chugwater , he was a member of a mountain man society an built it from a kit, he gave it to me as a gift for helping him sell off his guns at his last gun show , some years later, I traded it for a revolver, an then , of course,wished I had kept it.
Found out it is in Kentucky now.

 

[wiscoaster]

Shot my .45 cal Kibler SMR. Purpose of range trip to try shooting with smaller ball and thicker patch. I've been shooting 0.445 balls with 0.010 patches. 0.015 patch with that ball too tight. So got a box of 0.440 balls to try with 0.015 patches. First shot today with 0.445 ball, 0.010 patch and 65 gr. 3F at 50 yds to confirm sights zeroed. Then shot same load with 0.440 ball and 0.015 patch. As hoped for a little bit tighter, but no too tight. Effect on accuracy? You be the judge - which hole from which ball?

Same result at 100 yds. Confirmed by hitting the 100 yd gong and my balloon*. No doubt .45 cal SMR is a tack driver either load.

* I like to blow up balloons and position them on the berm to shoot at. Other shooters amused when I do this, but it's a fun diversion from paper targets. I'd fill them with water, if I could, but no running water at this range.

 

[Colonial Boy]

Finally got around to restiching my 1858 Tranter’s holster and putting the belt loop back in its original position.

So when on the belt the pistol sits at about 45 degrees with the grip almost vertical; not, seemingly the most effective position but original.

The bottom rh corner of the loop was cut off so that it did not foul the cleaning rod sheath when in its new vertical position.
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The stitching was going on the main seam so I took the opportunity offered by removing it to relocate the loop, the stitching holes lined up well.
It has been well slathered with leather dressing

Sewing the main seam was a long job, I first stitched from bottom to top then back to the bottom

Unfortunately the thread snapped before I finished, and I had carefully calculated the length. almost made it

The finished seam

 

[aussie pete]

Finished sighting in my Enfield Musketoon.
Deer season starts the 15th.

Ironhand

Here you go @IronHand. You've inspired me. I've hunted with Minies before in my Parker Hales (1853, 1858), but never round ball. I finally got the three bander out this morning for some accuracy tests. I shot this target of 15 from 50 metres using various field positions, including sitting supported, sitting unsupported, leaning post and kneeling. I think the results show an adequate readiness for either pig or deer. I used .562 round ball, 65 grains FFFG Wano real black, with a .018 spit patch, an overthrow of semolina on top of the powder charge. I'll be heading afield in the second or third week of December, so will provide a field report after the event.

It would be nice to come across a similar lad to this fellow below, photographed a few seasons ago; but that water is long gone, the terrain dry now in the northern Australian summer.

Cheers, Pete