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  1. I

    DIY and original ramrod tips, jags, photos please.

    This post is a call for pictures of your original, or own made interesting ramrod tips, jags, worms etc to be used as inspiration when making replacements. I've been recently working on a new ramrod for my squirrel rifle (Pedersoli plainsman, 197x made, . 38 cal, 44in barrel, in percussion)...
  2. I

    DIY mold making.

    Who here makes their own molds? I recently made my first proper mold and I've learnt quite a few things in the process. If there is interest I'll describe it in detail. I would like to also hear any tips other people learnt when making their own bullet molds. Here are few pictures. The...
  3. I

    Best way to deal with a fresh walnut log.

    I managed to get a dirt cheap log of plain European walnut locally. It has been harvested a year ago and it sat behind a shed in shade for a year. I know it needs lots of drying, but I'm not sure on the best procedure to follow. Should I paint the ends and leave the entire log for many years...
  4. I

    Original wood finish of military muskets.

    I've been searching for some information about original methods used to finish the wood on military muskets in their time. I'm mainly interested in French muskets, but I don't suppose the finishing method would be that different in other countries. I read somewhere stocks were dipped in a huge...
  5. I

    Looking for book recommendations on French flintlock muskets

    I've been looking for a book recommendation about French muskets (Charleville 1777, Corrige An IX etc). It doesn't have to be in English. French or German or Polish is fine too. I'm looking for some sort of a collector's reference. I guess the best way to describe what I'm looking for is by...
  6. I

    Questions regarding original nipples in an original British 16 bore muzzleloading shotgun.

    I finally took my original British shotgun to the range and I patterned few loads in it. In preparation to it I measured the bores and I discovered my 20-bore is actually a 16 bore 🤦‍♂️ After shooting came time for cleaning. During firing I noticed no excessive gas leakage, but the area...
  7. I

    Pedersoli Charleville 1777 (Revolutionnaire version) kit - review to be.

    So after some thoughts I decided my gun collection definitely has to include a long barrel smoothbore flintlock and I need a break from my double barrel Kodiak project :-) If you're not interested in how I ended up choosing that particular maker and model feel free to skip to the end where I get...
  8. I

    Short barrel muzzleloaders and accuracy.

    Is there anyone here that owns a short barrel muzzleloader(24 in or less) and can shoot it accurately? There are a lot of discussions online about ML barrel length and projectile speed, ability not to waste powder, long barrels offering longer distance between sights (or ability to install rear...
  9. I

    True reason why double rifles require the barrels set to "cross" to shoot parallel.

    Every person interested in double rifles soon learns the concept of "regulation". Regulation usually means a specific load and projectile that shoots parallel. Increase the projectile weight or powder load and the barrels will shoot wide of point of aim, decrease and they will shoot more...
  10. I

    Are there any double rifle regulation experts here?

    I'm currently working on improving the regulation of a "spare" set of barrels for my Pedersoli Kodiak double. Below I describe why I decided to re-regulate them and II have some questions at the end. My main barrel set in. 50 cal shoots great. However, the other barrels in .58 cal proved to be...
  11. I

    Theory of patched round ball load development.

    Hi, I recently re-read James Forsyth "The sporting rifle and its projectiles" as I read it for z very first time some years before and I became interested why is it that muzzloading rifles (specially those shooting patched round balls) are most accurate with one specific powder amount. It is...
  12. I

    Issue with an original Belgian cap lock.

    Hi, I have an original Belgian smoothbore gun I posted more about in the firearm I'd forum. It has a problem with a lock I thought I would have more luck posting here about. The lock was made in Liège by George Laloux. His locks are said to be of good middle range in quality. Utilitarian, not...
  13. I

    Question on gluing broken stocks together.

    I have been researching fixing stocks by reading all I can find and watching YouTube videos of actual repairs mainly done by Mark Novak from C&rsenal channel and I can't find an answer to one important question. When is de-oiling a stock necessary before using epoxy glues? A written article I...
  14. I

    Few questions regarding restoring an old 8 bore gun.

    I have this 8 bore Belgian smoothbore muzzleloader. I described it in more detail and there are pictures of it in the thread I started in Firearms Identification forum. Although I'm still waiting for a book of 19th century Belgian gun catalogues to identify the maker of the gun I'm pretty...
  15. I

    Strange vent hole in percussion shotgun by Stevens of London

    Hi, Can anyone say why some of the antique muzzleloaders have those vent holes as shown on the picture below? Some may be a remnant of a past flintlock conversion, but when a whole breech is replaced, why make a hole like this in the new one? Is this to lower breech pressure? Could someone...
  16. I

    Help with Belgian proof marks on a big bore percussion muzzleloader.

    Hi, I've pulled a trigger on a very cheap online purchase of a single shot big bore smooth barrelled percussion muzzle loader. I intend to shoot it with shot for fun, but at the same time I'm interested in finding out as much as possible about the history of this gun. The only marks I can see...
  17. I

    Safe loading technique - when to prime.

    I'm fairly new to flintlocks as I've been shooting my first flint pistol for few weeks. I've been thinking about the commonly accepted safety rule of priming the pan as the last thing done before cocking the weapon and firing. First I have to say I'm using one kind of powder for both loading...
  18. I

    Force required to snap open the frizzen.

    Hi, I've been shooting cap locks for quite a while and I recently managed to get for a fair price a Kentucky flintlock pistol clone (mady in the 70-ties by Armi Jager company). It is immensely enjoyable to shoot. It ignites pretty much every time if used with a sharp flint, but the flints don't...
  19. I

    Muzzle protection when short starting etc.

    Hi, Is there any special method to protect one's muzzle from damage caused by banging a short starter on it? When I start a REAL or a maxi ball it requires a very strong push - then when the bullet finally begins to move the short starter's ball bangs on the muzzle. Or with maxi balls they...
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