Jaeger Rifles Questions?

Hi All,
I have not been on this site for some time now. Back a few years ago I posted a picture of a Jaeger rifle that a friend of mine sold me. It had only been fired a couple of times by the builder. I still have not fired it but since I ain't getting any younger, thought I would try it. Here's the questions: It's a 62 cal., how much powder would you guys recommend? Second, it's a very pretty gun and the barrel is in the white condition---leave it that way or have it browned? And third, down the road, would this gun be worth more if I didn't shoot or doesn't it matter much either way? Thanks so much in advance.

I shoot 100-120gr fffg in mine. You could try lighter charges, say starting around 70gr and work up to where you are comfortable with how it shoots.

It was made to shoot, right?

Yup, it was made to shoot and I have to admit that I am getting a little antsy to try it out. Sure would make a big hole in whatever you'd hit.

I would start with 70gr of real blackpowder and work up from there. As far as bluing or browning the barrel, I would say no don't do it.

If you maintain it by thorough cleaning and oiling it will take on a very nice patina on it's own and if maintained properly it should not loose any value.

Use a 0.600 ball, 85 grains of 2F and thick denim patch with Dutch Sophisticated Moose Milk. The .200 Teflon ticking also works fine. Mine has a .62 cal 31" rice round grooved barrel.

Browning was not done on Jaeger rifles. Standard finish was fire blueing to eliminate glare or a lot of times you would also find in the white.
Mike Miller does fire blueing. Is your rifle with iron or brass furniture?

It has brass furniture. I guess it would help to post a picture? I will try to take some tomorrow and post them.

Yep, that always helps...

sciotaboy said:

It has brass furniture. I guess it would help to post a picture? I will try to take some tomorrow and post them.

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Yep. hotoSmile:
Go with reccomendations on charges given so far. Do you know the rifing twist? That is important in judging accuracy sweet spot charges.

My barrel is a Colerain, so 1-66" twist and a little tighter than my .62 Rice(unfinished, so not yet shot). I have a Lee mould, and it casts .603"+. I'm using either the heavier pillow ticking (.018") or cotton duck cloth (.025").

I have another mould that casts .612"+ that will work in my Rice, but too large for my Colerain. I bought that particular mould for my Moody barrel.

Okay guys----trying to figure out how to add pictures. Help please.

I have a Jaeger with a 31" Rice barrel. There were two loads it likes best, both with .610 RB and .025 Patch lubed with ballistol/water "dry" patch. 90 gr 3F Swiss and 100 gr of 2F KiK.

Two Eff. 2F. FFg.

You have to upload them to a photohosting site like photobucket and then post the link inside the image brackets in the post.

My barrel is a Colerain, so 1-66" twist and a little tighter than my .62 Rice(unfinished, so not yet shot). I have a Lee mould, and it casts .603"+. I'm using either the heavier pillow ticking (.018") or cotton duck cloth (.025").

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I am surmising it will be very forgiving with that combo and any charge of real bp from about 60 gr. to 120, or more. When you find the sweet spot (I'm guessing it will be about 80 gr.), no need to punish yer shoulder by going higher.

My rifle weighs 7-1/2# and recoil becomes noticeable above 120gr despite the 2"+ wide buttplate. fffg gave me tighter groups than did ffg (Goex). I tried Swiss but prefer Goex for its softer fouling.

excess650 said:

My rifle weighs 7-1/2# and recoil becomes noticeable above 120gr despite the 2"+ wide buttplate. fffg gave me tighter groups than did ffg (Goex). I tried Swiss but prefer Goex for its softer fouling.

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I can understand the recoil problem. My .54 Jaeger weighs more than that and over 80 gr. the recoil is very noticable, even tiring for a long day at the range. Your rifle is really a hunter (Jaeger means 'hunter').
Some powders do perform differently for different rifles. The softer fouling thing is new to me, I have a good supply of Swiss but have used only a little in my wife's .40. Not a good comparison.

Hi Rifleman,
Your about in my age bracket. Ya think the 80 grains would be a good load for whitetail or is this caliber a little heavy for them? I am used to using a 45 cal. Flintlock Kentucky. Round ball with 90 grains of 3f black powder.

100gr fffg in a .62 is pretty pleasant. I shoot the same in my .58, 90gr in my .54 and .50, and 55-60gr in my .45.

Both the .58 and .62 are pretty decisive about putting WTs down.

The only deer I have killed with a muzzle loader was .45 cal using 65 gr. of real bp.
His 80 gr is probably necessary for accuracy. No doubt it will kill them dedder than our .45s. :wink: It should be a good load.

.62 smashes hearts to pieces )
Deer just go down much quicker than with .45 or .50 RB. My main rifle is .65 cal....