Heavy Barrel Bench Target Rifle By Bill Large "Old Bull Cinch"

Mulebrain · May 5, 2021

This beast got to heavy for one of our club members, so it's been sitting for years. I struck a deal with him to get it, and now it will return to the firing line again after being silent for many years. He told me he acquired it from HP Gregory years ago. She is close to .50 caliber, and shoots a .504 ball wich the mold came with it. It has the original Redfield sights with it as well. I am missing the diopter piece, so I will be chasing that.

Barrel is 43" long with the false muzzle, and just a hair over 32lbs

dragnetbill · May 6, 2021

Mulebrain said:
This beast got to heavy for one of our club members, so it's been sitting for years. I struck a deal with him to get it, and now it will return to the firing line again after being silent for many years. He told me he acquired it from HP Gregory years ago. She is close to .50 caliber, and shoots a .504 ball wich the mold came with it. It has the original Redfield sights with it as well. I am missing the diopter piece, so I will be chasing that.

Barrel is 43" long with the false muzzle, and just a hair over 32lbs

View attachment 75955 View attachment 75956 View attachment 75958

She's a beauty; 32 lbs..........I'm a bit winded just from lookin at the photos; mind if I sit a spell in your rocker?

Mulebrain · May 6, 2021

dragnetbill said:
She's a beauty; 32 lbs..........I'm a bit winded just from lookin at the photos; mind if I sit a spell in your rocker?

That's funny, yep it's heavy to carry around. Just ordered the missing eye piece for the Redfield international target sight.

user 36911 · May 6, 2021

I know it's a target gun but i'd like to see the guy who could hunt with it.

Mark Herman · May 6, 2021

The guy who could hunt with this one is out riding his Blue Ox, Babe.

hanshi · May 6, 2021

That thing is just begging to compete off a bench.

M. De Land · May 6, 2021

Wow, what a neat ole gun ! A piece of history there me thinks ! How many pins in the false muzzle and what is the rifling pitch !

Mulebrain · May 7, 2021

M. De Land said:
Wow, what a neat ole gun ! A piece of history there me thinks ! How many pins in the false muzzle and what is the rifling pitch !

It has four pins for the false muzzle, will have to look to see if the rifling info is stamped on it.

Came with a card stating recommended load is 120-180 grains of ffg, .504 ball, and teflon patching

Gordoncourtney · May 7, 2021

From London That's a magnificent rifle I wanted one like for ages , it so I drilled and rifled a 37" bar of steel Filed it octagonal then threaded it to a Swiss martini action....comes out at a light 17 lbs. the modern wood came with the original 1885 10.4mm Swiss rifle at Holts auction...0.500". bore muzzle loaded with centre fire primer You just cannot go out and fire a gun in uk gunny stuff is tough with police licences....not tried it yet. I wanted a creedmore rear sight but $350 is too much at present Once again magnificent can you beat 1200 yards

Mulebrain · May 7, 2021

I can't find any other markings on it

Notchy Bob · May 10, 2021

That's great, Mulebrain! A classic old bench rest shooter! I love the coloration and patina on that barrel, as well as the decorative rings at the breech and the post on the false muzzle.

My dad had Muzzle Blasts magazines dating back to the early fifties. I enjoyed reading them as soon as I learned to read. Bench rest was big in the fifties and early sixties, and Bill Large barrels were top of the line. Many of the rifles were named, and I understand Bill would often come up with a name and stamp it on the barrel before it went to the customer, especially if he knew the customer personally.

Many of the articles about top shooters back then also included details about their rifles and loads. Most of them seemed to prefer a ball of about bore size, for a very tight fit with a patch.

You got a keeper there, Bub. I'm glad it will be taken out and shot again. We will look forward to a range report!

Notchy Bob

BillinOregon · May 11, 2021

I'll bet "Old Bull Cinch" has been to Friendship a time or two. Glad it fell into your hands, Mulebrain.

Gordoncourtney · May 11, 2021

Bit confused at starting something new ....I had to send it to somebody .... ... I bought a pair of L&R locks from USA a while back....at last this lockdown made me think .i got some 5 mm wall and .615" bore drawn tubing off eBay uk.....two 30" lengths for £42 I tacked them together on a steel face plate tiny welds , soft soldered on the other bits and threaded the hot ends 3/8" bsp Timber was ex mahogany window frames .......the locks were too far forward and I did not want to drill barrel and breach plug...after weeks I decide to epoxy the locks in place, I have never removed a rifle lock in 50 years......I mean it's only a fun 13 lb reproduction........but does it go with a bang, you need sharp flits with theses locks and made from chunks of Flint on the South Downs uk. More info if you want .

....I'll add my 17 lb .5 centre fire Muzzle loader at the same time, The lock is off a 10.5mm Swiss martini obsolete action , cheap at auction, the barrel is 1.4" dia steel drilled and polished to .500 " spot on Its then been rifled , 1-38" the rest history....ust try 1200 yards with it. Need original iron sights though

.enjoy No Colvic dead in uk yesterday

user 36911 · May 11, 2021

I want to see you shoulder it offhand.

Mulebrain · May 12, 2021

MtnMan said:
I want to see you shoulder it offhand.

I tried it, and can do it but you won't be doing it long. It just gets heavier and heavier

Mulebrain · May 12, 2021

Gordoncourtney said:
Bit confused at starting something new ....I had to send it to somebody .... ... I bought a pair of L&R locks from USA a while back....at last this lockdown made me think .i got some 5 mm wall and .615" bore drawn tubing off eBay uk.....two 30" lengths for £42 I tacked them together on a steel face plate tiny welds , soft soldered on the other bits and threaded the hot ends 3/8" bsp Timber was ex mahogany window frames .......the locks were too far forward and I did not want to drill barrel and breach plug...after weeks I decide to epoxy the locks in place, I have never removed a rifle lock in 50 years......I mean it's only a fun 13 lb reproduction........but does it go with a bang, you need sharp flits with theses locks and made from chunks of Flint on the South Downs uk. More info if you want .

....I'll add my 17 lb .5 centre fire Muzzle loader at the same time, The lock is off a 10.5mm Swiss martini obsolete action , cheap at auction, the barrel is 1.4" dia steel drilled and polished to .500 " spot on Its then been rifled , 1-38" the rest history....ust try 1200 yards with it. Need original iron sights though

.enjoy No Colvic dead in uk yesterday

Ah from the UK, I like those guns!!

I remember the time I left the embassy in London, and ended up inside the Purdey gun shop. The great room in there was straight out of the past. I found my favorite beer in England that same day, Green King.

nhmoose · May 17, 2021

Mulebrain said:
That's funny, yep it's heavy to carry around. Just ordered the missing eye piece for the Redfield international target sight.

Look for a Merit disc aperture that is adjustable for size and light. They work great on an International rear sight. All Redfield rear disks also Lyman will fit also.

Norman Brooks · May 25, 2021

Another one revived.

Heavy Barrel Bench Target Rifle By Bill Large "Old Bull Cinch"

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