What Muzzleloading Stuff Did You Do Today?

[Polecat_Tom]

Worked some more on my Hawken. I have it shaped and ready to start sanding. I need to refine around the lock panels. All assembled 9 lbs 12 oz.

 

[longcruise]

I went by Hobby Lobby looking for something my wife needed but the fabric department also called out to me. I like trying new patch material. I haven't found anything better than #40 but I keep looking.

They had 40% off everything so I saved on this 1/2 yard of linen. Never tried linen but this stuff feels pretty good. Measures .0195. A little on the thick side but smaller balls are always an option.

 

[longcruise]

Made some shot bags. I want one for each of my 3 calibers. The one with the buffalo head stamp hasn’t been swelled or strap installed yet.

How do you go about swelling them.

I am repairing some chipped wood in the stock of my 173 year old US M1842 smoothbore musket:

View attachment 376177

And apparently getting away with doing it in the kitchen.

 

[Cullie]

How do you go about swelling them.


And apparently getting away with doing it in the kitchen.

After I stitch them I get it wet then fill it with number six lead shot, then take my wooden burnishing tool and start packing the shot in, soon it will hold more shot then repeat till I get the desired swell. Then just message it around the edges to get it uniform to the eye. Leave it overnight to dry then dump the shot out, holds its form real well. Leather is buffalo.

 

[oldschoolhunter55]

Had to put my buddy down yesterday, our cat Ollie had a stroke and left us. We are a mess!

Very sorry to hear that. It will hurt deep. Hang in there

 

[longcruise]

After I stitch them I get it wet then fill it with number six lead shot, then take my wooden burnishing tool and start packing the shot in, soon it will hold more shot then repeat till I get the desired swell. Then just message it around the edges to get it uniform to the eye. Leave it overnight to dry then dump the shot out, holds its form real well. Leather is buffalo.

Thanks for that response. I've never made these but might sometime. Others who make them have told me they use sand and that idea never appealed to me. Kept thinking of residual sand when done.

 

[Cullie]

Thanks for that response. I've never made these but might sometime. Others who make them have told me they use sand and that idea never appealed to me. Kept thinking of residual sand when done.

I saw somewhere on this forum I guy used compressed air.

 

[Cullie]

Had to put my buddy down yesterday, our cat Ollie had a stroke and left us. We are a mess!

I know the feeling. We too just had to put down our oldest of barn cats. Had him for many good years. Sorry for your loss.

 

[2 shots]

What can you tell me about your rear sight? From what I can see I like it.

looks like a marbles bulls eye peep.

 

[WALT53]

Well yesterday I had something unexpected happen while working on my gun build.
I had removed the sights when I draw filed the barrel and had not replaced them so they wouldn't get damaged or be in the way.
I had the barrel installed in the stock while fitting the nose cap on the stock. While reaching across the barrel, I guess my thumb came into contact with the corner of the sight dovetail and I removed a section on my thumb pad. At least that is where the blood trail started. I hadn't realized how sharp that edge was. I think I am going to fill both dovetails with a wooden piece until I am ready for the sights. Lesson learned.

Wind and cold (well, cold for me) let up enough today to try out the Scheutzen 3f I got up in Friendship. Same load as the with the 40+year old Goex: 130g Maxiball over 60 grains powder. Shots printed same as Goex 3f with fouling about the same. Here's my "out back" range setup.

Hey could you show a close up of your back sight on yer gun thanks .

 

[Cullie]

Well yesterday I had something unexpected happen while working on my gun build.
I had removed the sights when I draw filed the barrel and had not replaced them so they wouldn't get damaged or be in the way.
I had the barrel installed in the stock while fitting the nose cap on the stock. While reaching across the barrel, I guess my thumb came into contact with the corner of the sight dovetail and I removed a section on my thumb pad. At least that is where the blood trail started. I hadn't realized how sharp that edge was. I think I am going to fill both dovetails with a wooden piece until I am ready for the sights. Lesson learned.

Crazy, had the same thing happen day before yesterday on my Crockett front sight dovetail! Razor sharp.

 

[WALT53]

Worked some more on my Hawken. I have it shaped and ready to start sanding. I need to refine around the lock panels. All assembled 9 lbs 12 oz.
View attachment 376180
View attachment 376181
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View attachment 376183

Tom could we see a couple more pictures of the for stock of your hawken the other side and possibly a picture of the whole gun thanks .

 

[WALT53]

How do you go about swelling them.


And apparently getting away with doing it in the kitchen.

Ya I was thinking the same thing cause i got the boot and know I’m in a 10x10 shed that I only use about 7/8 months of the year.lol