What Muzzleloading Stuff Did You Do Today?

Got another horn plugged and shaped and ready for some engraving.

Ran my lubed Minie's through the .577 sizing die. I'll clean up the wax from the nose and start making 1862 Expanding Ball cartridges

Took delivery of a new toy. The bottom one. Top was made in 1862.

Took a couple of newbies out to shoot the (as yet unfinished) Kibler Colonial. They did OK, nothing to write home about. After the second trip out, the flint in the lock is at 64 shots: no klatches, no flash-in-the-pan.

Took my T/C Renegade out to shoot a plastic bottle out in the snow. Yes, I typed snow.

Yes, there is a slightly more adolescent version I have heard once or twice In any case, here is the link:

50 grains of 3f BP, lubed .54 felt over-powder wad, 0.86 Oz. #8 shot, wad of glorified Excelsior in lieu of tow for an over-shot wad. Target was more or less obliterated.

Now, about that snow on the first of May.... just wait 'till I get that ground hog in my sights....

Just finished my 800th percussion cap! I started about a month ago. I've still got about 600 cap shells made, which is about half the effort. I'll never have to care about a cap shortage again.

Can honestly say I've squandered spring turkey season with other stuff, but still have a flint fowler and a single barrel percussion loaded if I can get a chance to go again before it closes. 20-30 mph winds again this morning didn't let up all day. Neither did the ticks. Squirrel season opens the 27th.

Watching baby squirrels climbing around was fun and now I know where they will be in just a few weeks. So...no turkey, no morels, but good to get out in the woods again.

Since the day was cold and rainy , I worked on the smooth long rifle build , I started last year. 3/4ths of the butt stock , is the hardest burl black walnut I've ever made anything from. Good thing I love building m/l rifles , or I would be swearing at this stock. Another setback today , lost my 40 yr. old jar of Jerros inletting black. Did manage to inlet the copper trigger guard , w/o inletting black. Hoping for rain for tomorrow , so the build can continue. I might shape the forearm just for a change. Tired of working burl....oldwood

forged a simple screw driver

Very nice

PathfinderNC said:

Got another horn plugged and shaped and ready for some engraving.

Click to expand...

PathfinderNC said:

Got another horn plugged and shaped and ready for some engraving.

Click to expand...

Another great horn on the way, Bob! Great shape and size.

Took the Hawken out today. The gun knows how to shoot as you can see. I don't. It was windy, I'm old, and the gun is heavy.....that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Added another coat of finish to the Woodsrunner and put a strap onto the amazingly cool horn I got from PathfinderNC.

Ed C. said:

View attachment 219343
Took the Hawken out today. The gun knows how to shoot as you can see. I don't. It was windy, I'm old, and the gun is heavy.....that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

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It’s funny how the target decides to dance the tango as soon as one shoots off hand!! That is a nice shooting gun!

Rolled 24 paper cartridges for my 1858. 12 using regular rolling papers, and 12 using Zig Zag unbleached. Got them settled in their tins and decided to make a small cap carrier for each. One got a spent 35 Whelen brass, and the other got a cut down .410 shell. They have earplugs in them for now. But they will get either a wooden plug or one made of deer antler.

This gives me 12 extra shots to drop in a pocket when I go romping in the woods.

Ordered a Kibler Southern Mountain rifle and some supplies from Midway.

This rifle will be to replicate an original. 40 cal. Rifle that's been passed down to me.
I have the building addiction really bad.

45man said:

Friend came to shoot his flintlock and I asked if he brought his ball puller. He told me he never dry balled. Guess what? He did it twice today. I was not even near him to interupt his loading. Good thing I brought my kit box.

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Never say never!

Paid for an 1860 Army. Just have to wait for it to get here.

TDM said:

My new toy, just set it up yesterday. To be only used for ML gun builds.

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I recently got one of these (a Wen). It was a bit too tall for my bench, so I trimed 4" off of the post and elevation rack with no problem (except for the warranty). The variable speed feature is interesting, but I was quite used to moving the belts and I suspect that it is a unnecessary gimick.

My chuck is not as sturdy and the quill isn't as stable or smooth as my old (much smaller) Craftsman, but it is OK.

TDM said:

My new toy, just set it up yesterday. To be only used for ML gun builds.

Click to expand...

I think you need a few more lamps.