Finally completed Patches. Yes I made a ton of procedural mistakes, but I left them all in, hence the name Patches. After trimming the stock down to a more streamlines profile and an hour or so sanding down the barrel channel so it has an even set, I think it turned out OK for a first try. Held here by my silent assistant.
(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a603/hotfxr/Scratch%20Build/Sept30th002_zps38115494.jpg) (http://s1286.photobucket.com/user/hotfxr/media/Scratch%20Build/Sept30th002_zps38115494.jpg.html)
But the real test is to see if it works. Had a friend over tonight that is becoming more and more enamored with muzzleloaders so I packed in 20 grains of Goex and a paper ball and let him fire it off. Here is Patches first shot:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CR518DM5n8c
It looks like all systems are go. October 13th is the furry hat guys day at the "local" range I belong to(85 miles, one way), so I will trek it up there and see how it reacts to a patched ball shoved down the throat. Many thanks to the members here for the advice and supervision.
Looks like she works fine. Now you have the fun of finding out just what load works best, the best part of a new firestick. thmbsup
Took Patches out to the range yesterday. Ran a little late cause I stopped by Walmart and the local hunting/shooting/all other sports shop on the off chance I could find some ammo for the .36 I got from mongrel. No joy. I figured since I was in the next county up and being mostly rural and conservative I might find some. Walmart had nothing and the sports shop did not open until noon. Oh well. When I got to the range and started unloading stuff, two guys came up to me and asked if I was there for the muzzleloader shoot and informed me that it was cancelled due to there only being the three of us there. I waved goodbye as they left and with tears in my eyes, I went on ahead and set up to shoot. These are the first three shots I did from a bench at 50 yards. Then I broke my ram rod.
(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a603/hotfxr/Half%20Stock/0a6d04cc-5e37-469f-af65-26107c0a9992_zpsbe676c23.jpg) (http://s1286.photobucket.com/user/hotfxr/media/Half%20Stock/0a6d04cc-5e37-469f-af65-26107c0a9992_zpsbe676c23.jpg.html)
Took a few more shots at the 100 yard gongs (missed), and practiced shooting one of the flintlocks for a while and called it a day. It's not quite as much fun when you are the only one on the range, but I'd take it over working anytime.
Not bad! thmbsup And as for shooting by yourself, no one gives you any grief when you miss or dryball.
Hotfxr,
Not bad for the first time out. A suggestion, for what it's worth. You will find that your group will tighten up if you have a defined target to shoot at. Even that small orange dot in the corner will work if you center it. The target you used has no defined "bullseye" to aim at with each shot and even if you have found the best charge you will spray your shots.
Mark
Quote from: Dogshirt on October 14, 2013
Not bad! thmbsup And as for shooting by yourself, no one gives you any grief when you miss or dryball.
I had to look up "dryball" just to see what it was.
Quote from: hotfxr on October 14, 2013
Quote from: Dogshirt on October 14, 2013
Not bad! thmbsup And as for shooting by yourself, no one gives you any grief when you miss or dryball.
I had to look up "dryball" just to see what it was.
See Murphy's Law # 232...
It's in the same category as motorcycles: "Don't say I never laid it down... Say instead I haven't laid it down yet!"
There's 2 kinds of BP shooters. Them that HAVE dryballed, and them that WILL! ;D
Get a good (strong) range rod, brass, nylon whatever thats long enough to load all your guns & have something left over to grip. I put a large wood ball or antler handle on them. So I won't shoot it by accident. Don't ask..... Use any regular site-in target, one with a cross on it so you can measure bullet placement.....Tom