I picked up a few stocks and parts for a few half stocks from a guy that calls himself Mongrel over on gunbroker. For my first attempt at building I am making a 54 cal using mostly CVA parts to learn on less expensive parts. I'll try to post some pictures of my journey so far.....
Starting with inletting the barrel
Well, it's only letting me do one pic at a time
I made an octagon sanding block to clean up the chiseled out channel
Barrel and tang inlet
Drilling jig for ramrod worked pretty well. Hit right where I wanted up and down but veered off about an 1/8th inch away from the lock side. I think it will be fine though.
Here is a sneak peak of where I'm at with it right now:
Here is the cheek piece so far:
A guy called Mongrel? When he was active here he epitomized the quality builder and set the gold standard for custom made affordable muzzleloaders, along with being a human encyclopedia of historical firearm facts. Anyone who was fortunate enough to obtain one of his incredibly well built (I have two) rifles guards them diligently. If you wound up with some of his parts, you are a lucky man, treat them well and they will never let you down.
Yep, he has given me a few tips to get me started. I didn't know of him until I was able to get on this site and was really surprised to find out that these stocks are from a stock pile of a very talented gun builder! I have been trying to read as many of his posts as I can find. Mike Lange does have a lot of knowledge to share.
I only have one of Mike's rifles and treasure it as well. It was a shame to lose him as a builder but even more disheartening to lose him as a contributing member. I've aways considered him to be a very fine man.
You are doing an excellent job building that rifle and it is looking good. We'll, AHEM! need photos of the finished rifle. hntr
he did some fine rifles at affordable prices ! and is very much missed by the members of this group !
hope things have improved for him !
"...And of course don't forget the mandatory sending of the finished product to the Booshways for quality control and testing! pnic "
Methink's you forgot that ONLY the Chief Factor gets to do quality control and testing ..... :mini-devil-28492: whipping
Thanks for the replies. We'll have to see if it turns out worthy of a quality control inspection. After getting some welcomed criticism I thinned up the for stock and rounded it out a bit:
How do you add 4 attachments? Here another
I also treasure a Mongrel built rifle. It was nice to see his name in print again even if he isn't on this sight any more.
He was very fair and professional when I dealt with him, but life threw him some serious curves that he had a hard time dealing with and I hope he is doing well.
He is sporterizing old c&r rifles and selling on gunbroker as mongrel1776. Y'all feel free to show me some pictures of your mongrels. I am especially interested in his half stocks. It would be good to see what he made from these stock blanks.
Quote from: Cherrybow1 on May 08, 2020, 01:51:53 AM
He is sporterizing old c&r rifles and selling on gunbroker as mongrel1776. Y'all feel free to show me some pictures of your mongrels. I am especially interested in his half stocks. It would be good to see what he made from these stock blanks.
Here's mine. A .45 cap lock.
Quote from: beowulf on May 07, 2020, 04:45:33 PM
he did some fine rifles at affordable prices ! and is very much missed by the members of this group !
hope things have improved for him !
IBID. You are indeed a lucky person and hopefully you will continue to contribute to the forum here. It looks like you're doing a great job building this current rifle.
Bob, that is a sweet rifle! I have seen several pictures of that one in my search. Fine example for me to shoot for on one of my stocks.....but I'll need lots of practice🧐
I'm getting pleased enough with the lock plate area now.
I was able to get the toe plate, wedge key plates and cap box installed this weekend...cap box was a tough one!
Looking for opinions....should I brown or blue it? Or do that combination of plumb brown with cold blue over it?
Here is the cheek side
lookin real good so far thmbsup
+1
I got this little rifle, a .45, my favorite. It's one of Mike's "youth's rifles" which he labels "Rugrat" rifles. It's small enough to fit my small frame and I love the heavy 15/16" barrel. I've actually used this very rifle to win first place in a postal shoot and 2nd to 3rd place in a few.
(https://i.ibb.co/yybkw61/PICT0689-zps77b16500.jpg)
That's sweet, Hanshi. I'm going to do my next one with the cherry stock and do the for end more like that but try my hands at an entry thimble. What brand of lock is on you rifle?
Didn't have time this weekend to work on it but found enough time to get the sights set in it tonight.
Got some ramrod stock turned out of some hickory boards tonight and got one made for my project. Just about ready to get to the finishing stages!
I like that semi-buckhorn rear sight. Also your ramrod turning rig. thmbsup
You've done a heck of a fine job so far on that rifle. I'd sure love to have those skills.
Wow! Cherrybow1 Does Awesome Work thmbsup
Thanks guys. I've sure made a few mistakes learning on this first one. Still having some issues with the trigger, I have to set the trigger in order to cock it. I will definitely do better drawing out the next one. Humbled by y'all! dntn
The dowel jig is what I have used to turn my own arrow shafts in the past...it's a lot faster than hand planing.
Quote from: Cherrybow1 on May 10, 2020, 09:51:31 PM
I was able to get the toe plate, wedge key plates and cap box installed this weekend...cap box was a tough one!
Looking for opinions....should I brown or blue it? Or do that combination of plumb brown with cold blue over it?
In my opinion, and only my opinion, you can't beat the plumb brown/cold blue method. You get a deep, dark black/brown finish that rivals factory bluing in durability. I have yet to treat a barrel this way that comes out with a perfectly even finish, which (again) in my opinion is more appropriate for a muzzleloader. I polished the first few barrels I worked on but for the last several years I only use a matte finish. In my opinion (yet again,) I feel it is more appropriate and it seems to make for a tougher finish. Hit the barrel with a wire wheel, a trip through the bead blaster, apply brown/bluing, then several coats of hot oil. Well, not hot oil but torch the barrel and apply oil, several times. It seems to set the bluing deeper, and it makes me feel better. (One more time, just my opinion)
You have done a bang up (pun intended) job on this one and I love your doweling jig. Extra kudos for maintaining our "On the Cheap" credo. thmbsup
I do appreciate your opinion 👍🏻. I haven't heard about this method until I read the browning thread. I may just give it a try since this whole build is kind of an experiment to me. The darker brown may look pretty nice with the silver furniture.
This is definitely on the "cheap". I have right at 200.00 invested in this one. For the next build, I'm thinking of having more of a Leman trade half stock feel to it. I picked up a Leman LR percussion lock for the cherry stock. It will also have a CVA 54 hawken barrel though. #3 will be the maple half stock with a LR Manton percussion that I picked up at a great price and a CVA 54 barrel. #4 is the one I'm hoping to make really nice. I got a maple full stock from Mongrel to re-stock a CVA flintlock Kentucky 45 cal. I'm planning on spending a bit more on the lock by going with Mongrels advice and getting the LR Manton flintlock............ pnic...I think I'm in trouble..
Once you have been sucked into the cult of the Black Powder Dark Arts, there is no escape. Just start saving your money and continue down the well worn path! ROFL
Finally working on my project some more. I'm on coat number 5 of tru oil on the stock. Got the barrel prepped and the first round of browning on it
not sure if this will help concerning the set trigger, can't hurt to read;
http://home.insightbb.com/~bspen/triggerterm.html
http://home.insightbb.com/~bspen/index.html
Check this first
http://muzzleloadermag.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/20610091/m/1324083828
Nice work Cherrybow. I've put together a few kits but nothing that ambitious I lack the patience to do a real build. I have a tendency to rush through projects and that usually leads to a substandard end product.
Don
Thanks, Pilgram. That is a good read 👍🏻. I believe I have my issue figured out. I had my trigger too deep, hdslp partly because it is such a slim stock. I had already filed down the triggers as much as I dare and still had the issue until I put a shim in to lower trigger plate as capshee suggested. It works as it should now.
Looking very nice! now that you are almost finished it is time to remind you of what HotFXR said in the very beginning... All firearms constructed and viewed on this page must be sent to the Chief Factor for a safety inspection - WE would not want it to fail on you! If you look under Chief Factor you will find me - do not be deceived by imposters from California... :mini-devil-28492: I will take care of it as if it were my own and will get it back to you in 5 or 6 years :)....
Please notice it is only our deeply felt jealousy and all of us wish you a long and happy relationship with the rifle...
RED BADGER - Chief factor (otherwise known as Jim)
Red Badger, know you have me confused...HotFXR told me to send it to the Booshways? wtt.
Red Badger, now you have me confused...HotFXR told me to send it to the Booshways? wtt.
Note to all: LISTEN TO HOTFXR, NOT THE TOOTHY BURROWER. dntn
Quote from: Hanshi on June 16, 2020, 05:21:53 PM
Note to all: LISTEN TO HOTFXR, NOT THE TOOTHY BURROWER. dntn
I would be careful what you say Hanshi. Remember that the Badger and Wolverine are in the same family. Although Wolverines are much larger. I have seen a picture of the Red Badger and he could be part wolverine, because his picture shows him to be a bit fat........lets say stout and BIG
Quote from: Cherrybow1 on June 16, 2020, 01:20:02 PM
Red Badger, now you have me confused...HotFXR told me to send it to the Booshways? wtt.
Yes, send it to either Hanshi or myself. Since Red Badger can't hit the side of a barn, shooting from the inside, he is not capable of an accurate review.
(You know how badgers are, short limbs and bad eyesight.) ROFL
Very pleased with the barrel finish👍🏻 (3 coats of plum brown and 1 coat of cold blue). Stock has 7 coats of tru oil. I think I'll knock down the gloss with conditioner. Just have to take the lock apart to put the same finish on it and it will be ready to put back together.
A thing of beauty. And it should give you joy, if not forever, at least for a long, long time!
That should have been two different pics..sorry
Wow! Just realized that I have been promoted flwa . I've made it to Trapper hntr
I really like what you've done to that kit so far. I've been wanting to do a kit for some time now. Your project has worsened that itch. rdfce
Note to Pilgrim:
As badgers get older they lose teeth, big time. Still, I don't want to get "gummed" to death. Uh, I forgot the claws. pnic
No better time than now to scratch that itch 😎.
Very nice Cherrybow1
Quote from: Cherrybow1 on May 20, 2020, 02:37:18 AM
Got some ramrod stock turned out of some hickory boards tonight and got one made for my project. Just about ready to get to the finishing stages!
Sorry I'm so late to the party, I'm not sure why I never got any notifications on this post. First.off, you've done a fine job on your rifle and I hope it becomes a family heirloom someday. My first Mongrel rifle has a cherry stock and last year I finished a cherry stocked 20 gauge trade rifle. Depending on the color you are after there are several ways of bringing out that great time cherry is known for.
A word on your ramrods though. Turning a rod produces a great finish but will hide run out, which you want to avoid as that is the spot it will snap when under pressure or being flexed. Several folks have impaled their hands because of this even when using hickory. A good wooden ramrod is split out from a length of wood so the fibers run the entire length of the rod. The Ramen wood dowels sold in the box stores has injured a few folks who didn't pay attention to the run out. Some folks use it for years with no problems. Other folks simply never use a wooden ramrod to load with, using a metal range for that and cleaning, simply keeping the wooden one under the barrel at all times.
You can get split out RR's from Track of the Wolf, The Log Cabin Shop and similar places.
Please let us know how your rifle shoots when you get a chance.
Thanks for your reply, William. I did make quite a few dowels so I can cull out the ones that do not have straight grain. Your point is well taken though. Last thing I want is for me or anyone else to be injured by me doing something "cheap". I do have many years experience in making bows and hand planing my own arrows. I am very aware of growth ring runout and how easily that can cause a failure.
Quote from: Cherrybow1 on June 17, 2020, 05:36:46 PM
Wow! Just realized that I have been promoted flwa . I've made it to Trapper hntr
Trust me; it's not a promotion. It's just our boss's way of charging you more money. (susp)
Quote from: Cherrybow1 on June 19, 2020, 01:52:09 PM
Thanks for your reply, William. I did make quite a few dowels so I can cull out the ones that do not have straight grain. Your point is well taken though. Last thing I want is for me or anyone else to be injured by me doing something "cheap". I do have many years experience in making bows and hand planing my own arrows. I am very aware of growth ring runout and how easily that can cause a failure.
You're most welcome Cherrybow, your skills shine through in the finished product. I had a feeling you might already know about run out and the potential for a ramrod to fail under hard use but I wanted to err on the side of caution. The last time I saw the result of a wooden rod failure was from a short starter that broke and caused the users hand to be punctured through and through which took many months to heal. Just wanted to prevent another such injury. Again, your new muzzleloader looks 👍.
I've been working on finishing it up today. Had a little problem though. I took it to the back yard to pop a cap nothing happened pnic! I missed the lock placement by 1/16" . My hammer was hitting the back side of the nipple and not getting to the bottom of the hammer [hmm]....so I took the lock off, removed the hammer and heated it to a cherry red and bent it to where it needed to be (I let it air cool to room temp). It worked! Cap goes off every time now. Question: Do I need to do anything else now to the hammer since I heated it up like that?
Finished pics coming soon. Just need to put the final coats of tru oil on the new ramrod.
Got it done!
Few more pics:
Looks great ....... like it needs to be taken out and shot !
Quote from: bmtshooter on June 21, 2020, 01:05:26 AM
Looks great ....... like it needs to be taken out and shot !
same thing could be said of certain members of congress ! :mini-devil-28492: ROFL ROFL
but , yeah ! that is one fine looking rifle ! you did a heck of a job !
Very nice job ....
We like to have a bit of fun around here and so the use of the emotes is very important, because sometimes it is hard to see the intent in a written word... Have a great time here and enjoy yourself! Oh BTW your promotion was based on the amount of countable posts you have created... keep up the posting and you will be right up there with Hanshi soon enough...
Red Badger
You did splendid work on that rifle and it's a beauty! I like it and half-stocks aren't really my favorites. The wood/barrel finish is superb. My gun-dream is to tackle a Kibler SMR kit. More realistically, though, I'll likely eventually try a Traditions kit or similar. thmbsup
Remember: we do have a woodshed - been, ahem! there and saw for myself. Daddy will spank, though he denies it. whipping But you are now a BP addict and this is just the beginning. hntr
Thank you all for the kind words. I am happy the way it turned out (but it hasn't passed the field test yet hntr). It is pleasing to my eye. Several flaws that I hope to correct on the next one by drawing it out on paper. I guess it is better to start with a plan hdslp! A lot to learn pnic pnic
Quote from: Cherrybow1 on June 23, 2020, 01:51:30 PM
Thank you all for the kind words. I am happy the way it turned out (but it hasn't passed the field test yet hntr). It is pleasing to my eye. Several flaws that I hope to correct on the next one by drawing it out on paper. I guess it is better to start with a plan hdslp! A lot to learn pnic pnic
Plans and drawings just seem to get in the way for me. Every thing I have built is trial and error, mostly error. Eventually I get it right, sometimes. hdslp