Canadian Airgun Forum

Black Powder, that is.
Having the monthly postal match over on the ALR forum americanlongrifles dot com.
So far this month, this is the winning target. The criteria is hunting rifles, ie: open sights
no peeps (or scopes) - offhand, 25 yards.
This load develops 1,225fps with that powder charge, with the 482gr. round ball, so 1,606fpe.
It is a close range target load. I use 165gr. for moose with the same ball, developing 1,550fps
producing 2,572fpe. Samual Baker, famed Indian and African big game hunter of the 1800's, stated
that his load in this 14 bore gun, would drive the ball, through and through an elephant's head. For
me, its a moose and target rifle.
Non members can view the site, if interested.

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Best Wishes
Daryl

My Brother is in second place, shooting his .40 Jacob Kuntz Rifle he build/copied some years back.
That 9 was his fifth shot.
The 3rd place target will be on top, a 48/50 2X, shot with his Virginia rifle in .60 cal. and yes, the 8 was his 5th shot. PRESSURE!

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Best Wishes
Daryl

Taylor's Moose rifle, is this one. A .62 cal. S. Hawken, also of his build. This moose measured 52". It would have been approximately 59", if it hadn't broken off
the measuring tine on the left side of it's head.

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Best Wishes
Daryl

Nice shooting!

Black powder is one thing I have to try... oddly enough, I was surfing the net looking for info on bp cannon, if that counts

I was sighting in a 32cal squirrel gun just today. New to black powder but really enjoying the change of pace from smallbore silhouette and pistol shooting.

Hi grantmac. I used to have a .32 squirrel rifle, but didn't like the bore's narrow grooves and wide lands - opposite to what I like, so I ordered a .32 Rice barrel for it.
Jason sent a .36 cal. barrel instead, although it was marked .32. LOL. So my squirrel rifle is now a .36 cal. Shoots fine, but I have really rung her out yet. Southern
mountain rifle style.
grantmac, front where do you hail?

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Best Wishes
Daryl

I'm in Victoria. So far only shooting half stock caplocks. Have a 36 Seneca, 32 CVA and 50 Investarms.
I'd really like an underhammer or mule ear, I like weird guns.

Good BP club in the Malahat.
"Malahat Marauders"
My wife's .36 Seneca converted to a 36" GM .45 barrel and oak under rib, being shot by my daughter.
Changed the lock to a leaf-spring lock with a Bedford County hammer.

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Best Wishes
Daryl

I shoot with the Marauders sometimes and the West Coast Rangers (my partner is a member there and I might join).

I find the Seneca is a bit light for me and I might get a smaller caliber barrel for my 50. The 32 is mainly for my kids, it fits them well.

TC .50? - a .45 or even a .40cal bl. barrel would be a great move, for a little more weight for offhand shooting.
I appreciate a little extra muzzle weight.

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Best Wishes
Daryl

It's a 70s Investarms Ransom. The bore is pretty rough near the chamber so I'm thinking of having it relined and bored for round ball. Likely 40 cal.

Sounds good. Lining might have an effect on the ignition system, whether patent breech with bolster (easiest I think) of drum & nipple or flint.
?? Re-barreling might be a better choice.
Rough at the breech or down the tube can be remedied somewhat with maroon scotch-brite cloth patch on a jag, and with some WD40 - about 60 strokes.
If the gun has been shot much with phony powder like Pyrodex, then re-barreling and using real black powder after that is highly recommended.
We were able to save a woman's .58 (her favourite rifle) at Hefley Rendezvous in 2019 using the scotch-brite process. It was only slightly rough but was holding
fouling and was difficult for he to load. After the "process", the next day she was overjoyed. I'm hoping we talked her husband into not using hot water after that.
So- if not to bad, might be salvageable. A new barrel by Green Mountain would work splendidly.
What is the diameter across the flats? 15/16"? or 7/8"?

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Best Wishes
Daryl

GM barrels aren't available anymore unfortunately otherwise that would be an easy solution.
It's a patent breach very much like a TC.
I've done the scotchbrite routine and it helped a little, but the rifling is shallow and loading a decent thickness patch is very difficult.

Bobby Hoyt is well known for relines at a cost far less than a drop in, if I can even find one.

Didn't realize GM was out of it. Have you tried http://www.trackofthewolf.com?

Yes, Bobby Hoyte does re-bore an rifling and most everyone I know who have used him, are more than happy. He even does gain twist bores.
Sorry- I had forgotten about the shallow buttoned barrels of the 70's, 80's, 90's some, I expect are still doing those - thinking TC.

Good luck with it.

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Best Wishes
Daryl

GM still makes barrels, just not drop ins. Guys want twice what I paid for the rifle for them now.

I like weird guns so I might just put the time and money into building an underhammer. Something about how simple they are is appealing. Plus I'm not really trying for any specific era.