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Recent content by Dphar1950

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  1. Dphar1950

    "Thin barrel" question re: round ball

    And almost all the blowups concern percussion ignition. Though there was a photo of a re-enactor with a left hand missing on another site a few years ago that somehow did not make it into the archives, when his fowler burst at the too deep wedding bands (its a stress riser)
  2. Dphar1950

    "Thin barrel" question re: round ball

    What were you doing at the time? I was writing for the Buckskin report and there were a frightening number of blow ups. But since this was before, I suspect, quite a few here were even born I don’t expect them to understand. But when the barrels are made of materials that the STEEL makers...
  3. Dphar1950

    Most accurate flintlock rifle you own

    This is a composite of the targets shot with the rifle I had posted about sometime back but somehow deleted I will repost the original photo as well. Did not realize it was that far back. Time sure flies these days. Easy to see when the wind changed. There were flags out too but RBs are really...
  4. Dphar1950

    Rifles of the Fur Trade

    Most popular with whom? I must ask since the trappers, by and large, even those from Eastern Woodland tribes like the Delaware etc were rifle armed. Largely because on the prairie, unless running buffalo, is basically useless. And it was known by the 1740s in the East that the rifle was more...
  5. Dphar1950

    US Model 1803 Prototype Rifles Article

    I had forgotten the Carrick article. Thanks for posting.
  6. Dphar1950

    US Model 1803 Prototype Rifles Article

    IIRC the records show that the original order for the 1803 was exceeded by 15 rifles. Also. Since there were no blueprints at this time they made samples and sent at least one to Dearborne so the rifles were in production as prototypes when Lewis was there. Dearborn then sent back a letter...
  7. Dphar1950

    FFFF documented use in the Fur Trade Era? Un-glazed "Rifle Powder"? Is today's powder dirtier?

    The Potassium Nitrate migrating to the surface forms the glossy film seen on quality powders during drying in the drums. The rotation also tends to round the grains slightly, softening the edges which also retards the initial burn rate a little. But powder with an extra part or percentage of PN...
  8. Dphar1950

    FFFF documented use in the Fur Trade Era? Un-glazed "Rifle Powder"? Is today's powder dirtier?

    The carbon in the powder is a conductor as well And being compressed in the manufacture increases its conductivity over as burned charcoal. Graphite has such a high ignition temperature that it will not combust with the powder and increases the fouling in the bore slightly.
  9. Dphar1950

    FFFF documented use in the Fur Trade Era? Un-glazed "Rifle Powder"? Is today's powder dirtier?

    If the sporting powder is chemically identical to fireworks powder I am not sure it will qualify as “sporting powder”. Since post American Civil War (at least) the sporting powders, the the TRUE sporting powders were not identical to musket powder or other gov’t contract powders chemically. The...
  10. Dphar1950

    FFFF documented use in the Fur Trade Era? Un-glazed "Rifle Powder"? Is today's powder dirtier?

    Charcoal is very important and how its burned. Also how and for how long its milled will effect fouling.
  11. Dphar1950

    Rifles of the Fur Trade

    Since Jake died in 1849 the St Louis made S Hawkens are all post 1849. The long barreled heavy “Kentucky” with S Hawken is S Hawken but is not what we would call a Mountain Rifle. But it was stocked by the same had as a FS Mountain rifle marked S Hawken. And its a nice quality plain rifle of the...
  12. Dphar1950

    "Thin barrel" question re: round ball

    So far as the makers. So long as ML shooters insist on buying cheap barrels the use of cheap steel will continue. As I pointed out and the letter from Lasalle above states. Higher grade steels start with a clean furnace or at least one dedicated for that grade of steel. So they cannot make a run...
  13. Dphar1950

    "Thin barrel" question re: round ball

    Since the discussion was on PROOF LOADS this is what is meant by “proof”. You cannot proof a cold rolled steel barrel and then believe this makes it safe. It simply means that the barrel stood that shot and the various attached parts, breeching, vent liner/drum or nipple seat did not fail. And...
  14. Dphar1950

    "Thin barrel" question re: round ball

    Given what I know of 1137 GB quality its virtually impossible to bulge one with BP. Unless someone REALLY screws up. As pointed out before HP White labs ran a 1” at the breech 45-70 to 50000 PSI with no issues. Not even a stuck case. There were other tests done that were very impressive in...
  15. Dphar1950

    "Thin barrel" question re: round ball

    Frankly I don't much care what people shoot. But they need the information. Though I have at times made sure I was not on the lock side when the gun was fired (anyone ever had a drum (cold rolled) break off when the gun was fired?) and like the shooters head between me and the breech in some...
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