Traditional Muzzleloading on the Cheap

Member’s Work Bench => General Gunsmithing => Topic started by: Razor62 on August 17, 2020, 06:05:24 PM

Title: .45 Cal. Ultralight, Underhammer Build
Post by: Razor62 on August 17, 2020, 06:05:24 PM
Hey Everyone!!! I've been kinda' scarce for the last couple of years but I wanted to stop in and show the gang my latest build.
I've been wanting to build an everyday deer rifle that would be my "go to" gun for whitetails here in New England.
The woods are thick in these parts and a shot of anything more than 100 yards is rare indeed. I wanted to build a lightweight rifle that could be carried all day without too much trouble. due to the limited ranges that she'll see, I was able to keep the barrel short and the weight to a minimum. She comes in less than 6.5lbs with the scope installed.
I started out with an Ebay purchased barrel which was originally a Winchester Mod. 150 Muzzleloader. 1:28" ROT, Fluted and chopped down to just over 18" long. I snatched up a cherry wood blank from Numerich Arms and an Allen Foundry underhammer action from The Gun Works.  This is one of those projects that was 5 years in the making. Four years to plan it out, 8 months of procrastination and four months of actual work.
Check it out!!! :

Title: Re: .45 Cal. Ultralight, Underhammer Build
Post by: Razor62 on August 17, 2020, 06:09:09 PM
More pics...
Title: Re: .45 Cal. Ultralight, Underhammer Build
Post by: Razor62 on August 17, 2020, 06:10:31 PM
More Pics...
Title: Re: .45 Cal. Ultralight, Underhammer Build
Post by: Razor62 on August 17, 2020, 06:13:53 PM
Finished Rifle.....


I'll be heading to the range with her soon. Planning of videoing the event. I'll be sureto post it here...
Title: Re: .45 Cal. Ultralight, Underhammer Build
Post by: Hanshi on August 17, 2020, 06:33:37 PM
You did an impressive build!  My first rifle was an underhammer.  I like lightweight guns myself.  My .45 & .50 flintlocks weigh only about 6 lbs.  Good luck ringing out that nice rifle.  hntr
Title: Re: .45 Cal. Ultralight, Underhammer Build
Post by: Papa on August 17, 2020, 09:02:23 PM
You'll like the Pete Allen action, I used one ,modified for trigger adjustment, for my latest chunk gun.
Title: Re: .45 Cal. Ultralight, Underhammer Build
Post by: Cherrybow1 on August 17, 2020, 09:25:17 PM
Nice job! Sweet little rifle thmbsup. I'm not familiar with that style though, how do you prime it?
Title: Re: .45 Cal. Ultralight, Underhammer Build
Post by: Razor62 on August 17, 2020, 09:35:36 PM
Quote from: Papa on August 17, 2020, 09:02:23 PM
You'll like the Pete Allen action, I used one ,modified for trigger adjustment, for my latest chunk gun.

I've seen your rifle I think. Very, very nice. I'm no stranger to Pete's products. This is my third rifle built using one of his designs. Here's the other two...:

Title: Re: .45 Cal. Ultralight, Underhammer Build
Post by: Razor62 on August 17, 2020, 09:39:49 PM
Quote from: Cherrybow1 on August 17, 2020, 09:25:17 PM
Nice job! Sweet little rifle thmbsup. I'm not familiar with that style though, how do you prime it?

The nipple is on the bottom. Hence the "underhammer" Musket cap ignition.
Title: Re: .45 Cal. Ultralight, Underhammer Build
Post by: beowulf on August 17, 2020, 09:58:40 PM
interesting little rifle ! you`ll have to let us know how it shoots !
Title: Re: .45 Cal. Ultralight, Underhammer Build
Post by: Cherrybow1 on August 18, 2020, 02:21:21 AM
So, does it have an extra long breach plug? 
Title: Re: .45 Cal. Ultralight, Underhammer Build
Post by: Razor62 on August 18, 2020, 11:31:33 AM
Quote from: Cherrybow1 on August 18, 2020, 02:21:21 AM
So, does it have an extra long breach plug?

Yes Cherrybow, that's exactly what I did in order to house some of the action components. The red arrow points to the joint where breechplug meets barrel.
Title: Re: .45 Cal. Ultralight, Underhammer Build
Post by: Razor62 on August 18, 2020, 11:33:47 AM
Put her on the scale this morning. Scoped, slung and unloaded, tips the scales at 6lbs, 6.6oz.  Less than 6.5lbs!!!! Exactly what I was hoping to achieve.
Title: Re: .45 Cal. Ultralight, Underhammer Build
Post by: Hanshi on August 18, 2020, 04:38:01 PM
Gotta say it again, you do really nice work, Razor62.
Title: Re: .45 Cal. Ultralight, Underhammer Build
Post by: Razor62 on August 18, 2020, 09:03:26 PM
Thank you Hanshi! Just don't look too closely.....There's lots of oopsies and I know where every single one of 'em lives..... ;D
Title: Re: .45 Cal. Ultralight, Underhammer Build
Post by: graybear on August 18, 2020, 10:59:37 PM
 Right purty smokepole.
Title: Re: .45 Cal. Ultralight, Underhammer Build
Post by: hotfxr on August 19, 2020, 03:46:45 AM
Quote from: Razor62 on August 18, 2020, 09:03:26 PM
Thank you Hanshi! Just don't look too closely.....There's lots of oopsies and I know where every single one of 'em lives..... ;D

Those "oopsies" make it unique and yours. Be proud of them. They just show that you can persevere and carry a project through to the end.  thmbsup
Title: Re: .45 Cal. Ultralight, Underhammer Build
Post by: Razor62 on August 19, 2020, 10:03:06 PM
Thank you gentlemen..... Your kid words are inspirational for me. Already thinking about the next gun..... Left handed, .45 cal. long rifle I think.......
Title: Re: .45 Cal. Ultralight, Underhammer Build
Post by: DandJofAZ on September 28, 2020, 12:15:51 AM
...alway sticking to left handed for me and Hanshi.  Also my oldest grandson and wife..                                                                                                                                Got to add 5 yr old grandson too.  Was kind of cute watching him trying to see sights with left eye while holding one right handed.