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Recent content by Dave Orchard

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  1. D

    Trade Gun VS Brown Bess

    My pick is relatively short trade gun & 24 ga.. With shot it is aprox equal of 28 ga. Breech loader. 24 ga. Ball is aprox same dia./wt. as used in .54 cal. rifle.(You won't hear anyone complain about lack of power in .54 rifle! ;-) I load anywhere from 40 to 80 gr. of 3 FG & a patched ball in my...
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    People overestimate how often percussion revolvers were reloaded...

    I used to shoot a pair of Uberti .36 Rem.s 50 rds each(one box of a hundred .375 balls, one tin of caps) Slightly reduced charge fouled cyl pin less & they were just starting to be sluggish around 40 rds. About reloads: If you were on the Llano Estacado, or AZ, behind a dead horse that had...
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    What would you choose?

    24 ga smoothbore flint "Canoe Gun" and same bore dia original back-action percussion smoothbore pistol. Dave
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    Roundballs in a Sharps

    In a very similar Starr .54 carbine I loaded loose .56 ball and loose powder(50 years ago) As long as the ball can be pushed up against the rifling then pour chamber full of black powder seemed to work better than my attempts at nitrated paper cart. and roundball. You could push some tallow or...
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    How I Make A Ramrod and Range Rod

    I ordered a length of seamless steel tubing from Aircraft Spruce. Draw-filed it to get the correct taper, threaded the small end & silver-brazed a brass jag on the other end (& threaded that as well. Browned it for looks, and can broil meat on it, use it to blow on stubborn baulky fire as well...
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    Neck Knife and striker

    I've built sheathes with a rawhide liner and horse-hide on the outside. (What a PAIN! The wet molded rawhide shrinks quite a bit making it hard to get a good "molded fit". ) Davo
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    Thoughts on short barrel smoothbore

    I use 3 fg in my short 24 ga. (burns more completely & fouls less.) Usual load for RB or shot is 60 gr.. I use the same measure for powder & shot and "cheat" it for a bit more volume of shot than powder. Short guns are FINE, as long as they are not butt heavy which makes for a "whippy" barrel...
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    Thoughts on short barrel smoothbore

    My short "canoe gun" is a bit awkward to load standing up. I "poacher-stocked" it (see old illustrations or book THE PACKINGHAM GUN COLLECTION) to correct it being butt-heavy. I use 3 fg in the short 24 ga./.58 barrel. Coned the muzzle for easier loading with patched ball and added a low open...
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    WITHDRAWN Paterson Colt Replica Pietta NIB Holster and Loading Tool

    If you have not already read about John Coffee Hays and the early Texas Rangers and are interested in the 1st Colt's used in combat and how mounted warfare of the plains differed from more heavily treed areas to the east, read p.167 thru179 in THE GREAT PLAINS, by Walter Prescott Webb. The...
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    WANTED Cannon

    CaptDan, I have a Southbend Replica 2/3 scale mtn howitzer, 2 1/4" bore on a naval carriage built by a pro wood boat builder. Fired with lanyard and musket cap.. Also 50 lbs of coarse grain black powder. WW1 era mg gunners quadrant. (Worked well w/ 2" ball mill balls ;-) I am located inland...
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    powder

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    What is your smallest caliber/gauge smoothie

    Short 24 ga. "Canoe gun" ( if such a thing ever existed "back when" ;-) I think 28 ga. would still be practical for smallgame with shot & round ball for med. game(?) 3fg seems to be a better choice for small gauges & short barrels. I used to shoot a Charleville & 20 fusil s. Larger bore &...
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    Peep Sight on flintlock?

    Rear apertures were used on some crossbows.... I have a shortened original matchlock barrel used on a later Arabic gun "modernized" with a Brown Bess lock. It has a rear Aperature integral with a raised potion of the tang. I quit shooting Aperature-sighted rifle at matches & roundyvoos & went...
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    OFF HAND SHOOTING

    The single best advice to me about offhand, was to find a comfortable stance w/weapon shouldered, then close my eyes and swing right & left w/eyes kept closed, then let my body find natural point of aim. Then open eyes and see if you have to shift your feet. (If so try again) If you find your...
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