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And now for something completely different
stankemp
Member Posts: 509 ✭✭✭
Well, I promised a report on the first firing of the new Muzzle Loader that I built . Here it is.
Specs:
-In line ignition, musket cap
-barrel length 9"
-based on CZ24 kit, modified barrel (chamber cut off, breech plug and nipple installed), bolt(firing pin nub ground off, new sear welded to bolt to shoorten bolt fall), trigger (old sear removed, new simplified trigger to engage new welded sear constructed), magazine (shortened, may be used to carry powder, balls and patches in future)
When I purchased this kit , I really didn't know what to do with it. The parts were just cheap(I think I paid $70)and neat . It layed around for about 6 (maybe more) years and I got the bug to give it a try. You may have noticed my previous mysterious questions for a 30 cal ball and patch. I followed given advice and went to Track of the Wolf and got some .283 balls and prelubed patches. They fit just right. Then my shooting bud and I went to the range to check the thing out.
We hit a few snags getting the shots off. For one the nipple is shrouded pretty much by the receiver tube (which is a new tube)so it's difficult to place a cap on the nipple. Besides it was cold and the fingers were numb. Solved that by using a needle nose to put the cap on - musket caps , unlike other caps have little bent out fringe ears we could grip with the needle nose. Also there was a bit of front to back barrel play . You can see the barrel mounting with a nut into the front of the gun . This was not solved and caused a few misfires during the range time. I later discovered - after time at the range-that I had put an extra washer under the nut and the nut couldn't bear on the barrel correctly. We now have a tight barrel- no movement whatsoever and that should improve accuracy.
Loads were tried beginning with 10 gr. After one shot I went to 20gr and we put about six loads downrange. Very little recoil and fairly quiet. Then , because the cold was getting to me , I went to 30gr. So here we were at the historical load -30/30. This has a bit of recoil and more noise. I'll probably shoot all three loads at one time or another. I just need to get back to the range to check accuracy again.
Cleanup is a snap. The barrel pops out , quick rinse and oil -done.The removable stock also helped groups, but shivering in the cold didn't. All modifications are permanent and these parts can't be used for anything but the muzzle loading gun that they are now configured for. I'll post pictures later.
Stan
Specs:
-In line ignition, musket cap
-barrel length 9"
-based on CZ24 kit, modified barrel (chamber cut off, breech plug and nipple installed), bolt(firing pin nub ground off, new sear welded to bolt to shoorten bolt fall), trigger (old sear removed, new simplified trigger to engage new welded sear constructed), magazine (shortened, may be used to carry powder, balls and patches in future)
When I purchased this kit , I really didn't know what to do with it. The parts were just cheap(I think I paid $70)and neat . It layed around for about 6 (maybe more) years and I got the bug to give it a try. You may have noticed my previous mysterious questions for a 30 cal ball and patch. I followed given advice and went to Track of the Wolf and got some .283 balls and prelubed patches. They fit just right. Then my shooting bud and I went to the range to check the thing out.
We hit a few snags getting the shots off. For one the nipple is shrouded pretty much by the receiver tube (which is a new tube)so it's difficult to place a cap on the nipple. Besides it was cold and the fingers were numb. Solved that by using a needle nose to put the cap on - musket caps , unlike other caps have little bent out fringe ears we could grip with the needle nose. Also there was a bit of front to back barrel play . You can see the barrel mounting with a nut into the front of the gun . This was not solved and caused a few misfires during the range time. I later discovered - after time at the range-that I had put an extra washer under the nut and the nut couldn't bear on the barrel correctly. We now have a tight barrel- no movement whatsoever and that should improve accuracy.
Loads were tried beginning with 10 gr. After one shot I went to 20gr and we put about six loads downrange. Very little recoil and fairly quiet. Then , because the cold was getting to me , I went to 30gr. So here we were at the historical load -30/30. This has a bit of recoil and more noise. I'll probably shoot all three loads at one time or another. I just need to get back to the range to check accuracy again.
Cleanup is a snap. The barrel pops out , quick rinse and oil -done.The removable stock also helped groups, but shivering in the cold didn't. All modifications are permanent and these parts can't be used for anything but the muzzle loading gun that they are now configured for. I'll post pictures later.
Stan
Comments
30 grains of smokeless is pretty energetic, whereas 30 grains of BP follows the rule of a starting load equal to the caliber, i.e. 45cal, 45 grains; 50 cal , 50 grains etc. An ancient rule of thumb.
One other old rule of thumb thatI heard :"4gr BP =1gr smokeless"
So a 45/70 in terms of smokeless is really (in the old load for old rifles) a 45/17.5 seems pretty light.
I'll keep that 30 grain load as my max anyway.
Stan
This is true from everything that I have read. Your project does sound like an extreme amount of fun. Good Luck.
Note the welded sear on the bolt.Weight is a bit heavy (I'd say ~6Lbs). The bluing is a one coat quick liquid cold blue that must be 30 years or more old.
That's me shooting the thing.
Stan