So I've shot my Traditions percussion Kentucky Rifle a few times now. Cleaned it diligently after shooting. But me, being the sort that likes to take things apart, decided to take the screw out of the drum (Even though I've seen people advise against it. I really can't help myself.). I was curious how far the barrel went back past the drum, so I stuck a mop down there, and to my surprise, I didn't see it through the hole. Just like when I was cleaning it before, it felt like it was bottomed out. Did the same thing with a cleaning patch on a jag, and again, didn't see it through the drum hole even though it felt like it was solidly bottomed out.
So, the conclusion I'm coming to is that there's a narrower portion at the bottom of the barrel. If that's the case, how large is that chamber? Small enough for powder to completely fill when loaded? Or should I be worried about an air gap in there if I ever try a lighter load (Haven't gone under 50gr so far. Not really intending to, but would be good information to have.).
Past that, it's making me realize that I wasn't as diligent as I had assumed with my cleaning, since I wasn't getting down into that chamber. What's the best way to clean all the way down in there? And the best way to remove any moisture after cleaning? I'm worried I've left all kinds of wet gunk down in there, just corroding the heck out of that chamber.
I always assumed that the rifle would have a straight rifled cylinder all the way down to the plug, so I'm a little bit surprised to find out otherwise. Is this a quirk of the Traditions Kentucky Rifle? Or is this common in other rifles as well?
So, the conclusion I'm coming to is that there's a narrower portion at the bottom of the barrel. If that's the case, how large is that chamber? Small enough for powder to completely fill when loaded? Or should I be worried about an air gap in there if I ever try a lighter load (Haven't gone under 50gr so far. Not really intending to, but would be good information to have.).
Past that, it's making me realize that I wasn't as diligent as I had assumed with my cleaning, since I wasn't getting down into that chamber. What's the best way to clean all the way down in there? And the best way to remove any moisture after cleaning? I'm worried I've left all kinds of wet gunk down in there, just corroding the heck out of that chamber.
I always assumed that the rifle would have a straight rifled cylinder all the way down to the plug, so I'm a little bit surprised to find out otherwise. Is this a quirk of the Traditions Kentucky Rifle? Or is this common in other rifles as well?