Investarms Gemmer Hawken build

[The Crisco Kid]

Back to the talk of pins, Ace Hardware sells music wire in many different diameters. It comes in 3 foot lengths. It's pretty hard and you won't cut it with the average dikes but it makes great pins.

 

[frankie]

This is a .50 flintlock that I started about 3 months ago and finished 3 weeks ago. Bought the kit from Muzzel-Loaders.com and I watched the "I love muzzleloading" YouTube series on his build before and during mine. I replaced the Investarms lock with a L&R RPL lock. I used Laurel Mountain Forge browning for the barrel and hardware and DGW antique stain for the wood. This was my 2nd kit build so I'm still very much a novice. And not sure how the photos will present since this is my first attempt. I plan on trying her out this weekend, weather permitting.

what caliber and length of barrel? Looks great

 

[frankie]

I'm pleased with how it turned out overall. But the truth will be in how it shoots. I did a lot of tuning on the lock and trigger assembly which was a great learning experience. Wish I had better photos, but didn't think I'd be showing them to anyone at the time. It fits me well and feels solid. And again, it looks worn, kinda like me.

Looks very good to me

 

[TDM]

what caliber and length of barrel? Looks great

Its a .50 cal, 32" barrel, with a 1:60 twist. Thanks.

 

[TDM]

I'm back up at my camp now. If the rain holds off and I can stand the heat, which I'm extremely tired of by this time of year, I will be burning some powder through it and get it sighted in.

 

[Snake Pleskin]

Does anyone have experience using the original GPR lock they could share? Must be someone who has one that works?

 

[TDM]

Does anyone have experience using the original GPR lock they could share? Must be someone who has one that works?

Snake, I played around with the original lock installed. It worked fine and threw good sparks. It was probably smoother out if the box than the L&R before I went to work on it. So it should work fine for you with a little cleanup

 

[Snake Pleskin]

Snake, I played around with the original lock installed. It worked fine and threw good sparks. It was probably smoother out if the box than the L&R before I went to work on it. So i

Thanks, good to know!!

 

[TDM]

And if you decide later to get an L&R lock it will fit the outside inletting just fine. Its the interior inlet that requires a fair amount of wood removal to clear the mainspring and tumbler. TOW or the L&R site shows which RPL lock to use. I think mines the 05 model, but don't quote me on that.

 

[ILoveMuzzleloading]

Thanks for sharing TDM, hope you enjoyed the build- you did a nice job

 

[TDM]

Well, decided to brave the heat and humidity and do some shooting with the Hawken, plus my Pennsylvania, Kentucky pistol, and new 1851. My oldest Son and his family came up to the camp for a long weekend and we did indeed burn some powder. I was very pleased with the Hawken. Didn't try any different loads, just stuck with 60 gr. 2F, .490 ball, & .010 patch. Didn't make any sight adjustments at this time. We wanted to shoot all 4 and just enjoy as much as we could in the heat. The dialing in will come when it cools off a little. I did take photos, but I don't have internet here (really a good thing) so I'll have upload them as the phone signal strength allows.

 

[TDM]

First shots.

 

[TDM]

At 50 yards.

 

[TDM]

Rifles.

 

[TDM]

My Pedersoli Kentucky in .50 and a new Pietta 1851 that I just aged and replaced the plastic grips with one I carved from Red Cedar from the camp. I aged the Kentucky too. I know its not everybody's taste but I prefer it.

 

[TDM]

I was so hot and sweaty I just quit trying to mark and photo everything. But this was shot at @30'. The taped holes near the center are from the 1851 shot from a rest. The open group above is the 1851 free hand. And there's 2 or 3 taped .50 holes from the Kentucky below center.

 

[TDM]

Loading up.

 

[TDM]

Pedersoli Pennsylvania .50 that I redid. It shoots very well.

 

[TDM]

And until it cools off, that's it for me. After all the shooting and cleaning I'm worn out!

 

[TDM]

Oh, and the L&R lock preformed nicely. That's after a good, typical polish job. The only problem we had with all three flints was the high humidity. Which is why I just don't shoot as a rule in July and August. But yesterday was just as bad or worse. Had to start wiping the frizzen, flint, and pan after each shot. Things really gummed up quickly. And we swabbed a lot more than normal, every 2-4 shots. I usually only do that when doing a serious sight in.