Two percussion guns question

[Crow#21957]

The question is about drum placement. One of my rifles has the center of drum(hole into barrel) is 3/16 in front of breech plug face the other is 5/16 in front if breech plug face.Dont know how igot that much difference between the two. Are these measurements ok. Reason they are that far is I did not want the threads of drum tapped into face or deeper in breech plug.If they went into the breech plug any it would seem to create a possible cleaning problem (trap)

 

[Crow#21957]

Hope my pics make sense. On one of the guns I can tell the breech plug protrudes into the bore not very much.Top pic shows what I always try to avoid and I did.The bottom pic is what I want to know. Should I remove the drum and file it down so it does not protrude past the inner wall of barrel like bottom pic. Thanks

 

[painter]

I think I would trim the drum so you can use a breech scraper, if necessary, and get a patched jag all the way down the bore.

 

[Larry (Omaha)]

The question is about drum placement. One of my rifles has the center of drum(hole into barrel) is 3/16 in front of breech plug face the other is 5/16 in front if breech plug face.Dont know how igot that much difference between the two. Are these measurements ok. Reason they are that far is I did not want the threads of drum tapped into face or deeper in breech plug.If they went into the breech plug any it would seem to create a possible cleaning problem (trap)

My preference is to have the drum ahead of the breech plug. Closer to the the BP is better for ignition, but then swabbing can accumulate more fowling at the opening. One just has to be cognizant of that, so they maintain an open drum/nipple pathway. You want the drum to be flush with the bore.
Larry

 

[Crow#21957]

NM gwell I just realized I messed up on measuring. Both of the drums flash hole are 3/16 in in front of breech plug face. That's putting the threads of drum as close to breech plug face without hitting the face.I notched a ram rod and oriented the notch so it would hit the drum threas. Inserted it and marked,, then rotated rod 180 degree and it would drop about 1/4 in on down to breech plug,, marked again. Then the center between the marks would be the hole in drum. So I just need to pull the drums and cut them back so the fo not protrude past the inside wall of barrel. Thanks for the advice. I'm actually enjoying this.lol

 

[Crow#21957]

The words at the bottom (the fo not) should be (would not)

 

[SDSmlf]

So I just need to pull the drums and cut them back so the fo not protrude past the inside wall of barrel.

Yes.

 

[Crow#21957]

Thanks again. I think I drilled and tapped into a breechplug side and face that was years ago. At least I'm learning and slowing down.

 

[bronko220002]

If it were me I would remove some material so the drum is flush with the inner wall just for cleaning purposes. I'm also certain that flushing during cleaning would remove any fouling either way but like the previous poster stated, if you need to scrape the breech area, that extra length will get in your way. It would also be more likely to catch a patch on your jag and pull it off requiring a worm to remove it.

 

[Crow#21957]

This is how much I had to remove from drums.

 

[Crow#21957]

It's done. I'm glad I did that. Thankyou guys.