45 caliber muzzleloader qestion

[Dogshirt]

Those two pc stocks are NEVER made from the same piece of wood, so you will have to play around to get them to come out the same color. It can be a bit frustrating at times. I don't know why they and Traditions felt the need to do that. The Kentucky
is the only one.

[flintboomer]

Back to your original question, it sounds like you have a jag for a .50. They will usually go down the bore for loading but be too tight for cleaning. I would check it against one for a .50 and see, but in the mean time just use the one for a .40 like you suggested and a double cleaning patch. As for shooting patches just start with whatever you usually use for a .50.
I had a friend who had that problem trying to use a .54 jag in a .50.

I often use an undersized jag and cut up old socks for cleaning.

Do you have a good patch removing tip? I'm referring to the ones with the corkscrew tip, they are the best for removing a stuck patch.

[pilgrim]

    The  Jag  is new from TOW.  I did compare it to a 50 and it is a 45.  Even took a measurement with a Caliper  =.420.   I am waiting for TOW to ship me a .40 Jag and  patch puller.

     I measured the cleaning patch at .015" X 2 1/2".  Then I found another flannel cleaning patch that measures 1 3/4" in diameter.  These work perfectly with the 45 cal jag,  and also measure .015.  Both patches can be compressed  to .010".

    Now looking forward to bit warmer weather to go out and shoot.  Probably between my morning and afternoon bus runs.   What with a 4 hour layover, there will be plenty of time to get in some range time.

[beowulf]

Those two pc stocks are NEVER made from the same piece of wood, so you will have to play around to get them to come out the same color. It can be a bit frustrating at times. I don't know why they and Traditions felt the need to do that. The Kentucky
is the only one.

regular wood stains dont seem to work that well on the wood used for those stocks , but I`ve seen some really fine looking stocks done with analine wood dyes !  you can find them on amazon.com , and some paint and wood treatment stores will stock them !

[pilgrim]

    The finish on this rifle must have been done by a perfectionist,  even though he did not sand the wood to the needed dimensions for smooth flowing lines.   The rifle looks to be a one piece stock.  It is hard to tell that there is a brass divider because of the patina of the brass.  And the wood finish is a close match.  This is why I am contemplating leaving the stock as is.  Without further carving or sanding.    The rifle would not be perfect,  but then I am far from perfect and together we make a perfect match.      I really like the way when shouldered that  the sights align perfectly with my eye and the target, with no need to search and adjust to find the sight picture.  Even though the LOP  is not correct for me,  it just feels right on target.   Also like the lightness of the rifle,  think this is why it feels perfect.   

     I think I will name the rifle,   "MISFIT".    Let others  laugh when they see this rifle,  hopefully I wipe away their grins when it is shot.

[beowulf]

I`ve owned a flintlock and two cap , all were good accurate shooters . surprising when one considers how cheap they were ! have never paid more than $67 for one including the flintlock kit I built !

[pilgrim]

   I am beginning to fall in love with this rifle,  Just can't get over how it naturally shoulder and aims.  Sort of same stock shape that was on the Pennsylvania long rifle that I sold to a friend, except that rifle was 50 caliber.    Hopefully will get my duff and shoot tomorrow between runs. 

[pilgrim]

    Here is a picture of "Misfit".

     

[Hanshi]

Just a thought, but some of those early rifles like that one were actually ."44" and take a ball something on the order of.435" + or -.  I have one that is meant for a .435" ball but still was able to shoot .440" ball without too much seating problem.  Turning the jag to reduce it a bit should work okay.

[pilgrim]

    Thanks  Hanshi,  Earlier, I  got set up to shoot and have now added .433 rb to the kit.  I do not have .435 rb,  but there is not that much difference.  I want both .440 &  .433 sizes along to compare.   I hate when I go to shoot and run into problems.  Once I forgot to bring along the powder measure.  For now I will be using a range box,  once everything is down pat,  then the shooting pouch and powder horn and NO range box. 

    Thanks again

[Patocazador]

I have a .445 rifle that will shoot a .440 ball the first shot. Unless I swab between each shot, I have to load a .433 for succeeding shots.

[pilgrim]

I have a .445 rifle that will shoot a .440 ball the first shot. Unless I swab between each shot, I have to load a .433 for succeeding shots.

      That is interesting,  I have a couple rifles that are more accurate after the initial fouling shot.

[pilgrim]

    shot the rifle today and   while shooting and then cleaning the rifle I noticed more items that need attention.  It is beginning to look as though Misfit won't be a Misfit for long.    I most likely will be dismantling the rifle and sanding the stock to contour for a better fit and look.  Apparently the person who got the kit,  threw it together just to shoot.  The screw in the shoulder part of the butt plate in screwed in crooked,  the  rear ramrod guide is a mismatch, as if they got a kit that was missing pieces.   I downloaded the instructions for assembly from Traditions site.   But that may wait til next winter,  not sure.   Still have finishing touches to do on the 54 project.

     I got the rifle off Gun Broker .com.   If I had know it was a kit gun,  I would not have bid on it.  Must the starting bid  should have told me something was amiss.    Oh well,  I will now use Beowulfs advice and others advi9ce and make plans to redo the rifle.

[Watauga]

pilgrim,.. Well Truthfully,That is not a bad thing...It still can be a Kit that you get to rework and if you got any kind of deal on it it, will be less than the cost of a just new a barrel,.   let alone any of the other parts.. .. and once you are done she will suite you fine

[Hanshi]

Using your thumb and "sand paper", you can smooth the crown down into the lands and that will easy loading.  I don't see why you won't be able to load even .440s once that crown is smoothed.  I have done this on 4 of my rifles.  A fairly tight load will keep the fouling down to only one shots worth.  My rifles usually get  .010" to .005" round ball and .022" patch lubed with Hoppes BP lube.  This gives for a .45, .440" ball + .022" patch for .462" prb.  This gives the minimum groove dia of (.450" + 0.10" + .010" = .470" groove depth).  Compression in the grooves using the .022" canvas duck and .440" ball is .440" + .022" + .022" = .484" giving .014" groove compression [.484" - .470" for the .014"].