Hello everyone,
This is my first post here.. I live in Sarasota Florida, and I have always liked BP shooting. As a teenager, I owned, fired and lost a few BP revolvers (Uberti).. Mostly, I didn't clean them, didn't know any better, didn't care. I even put together a cheap Kentucky rifle kit, which only needed assembly and finishing, though I never finished the wood and went shooting.. My powder measure was a teaspoon
Almost 30 years later, I have come to appreciate fine things and learned to take care of them ;-)
Which brings me to really wanting to build a muzzleloader; this one in particular: http://www.longrifles-pr.com/schweitzer.shtml in .45 cal. Since I am a newbie, I have a few questions, and hope you guys can help me a little..
First, about barrel length and size. The Great Mountain barrels offered on the site are 36'' or 42'' long. 13/16 or 7/8 size (only 42'' in 7/8).
Isn't all the powder burned after 36'' of barrel travel?
Is there an advantage to the longer 42'' barrel?
I am thinking 36'' would be long enough. Should I get a 13/16, or shorten a 7/8? Would a 7/8 be stronger, or strength is more of a breech plug issue?
(I would like to try some long distance shooting..)
Second, about Pecatonica River Long Rifle Supply's services:
http://www.longrifles-pr.com/services.shtml
What is a staple underlug?
What does "Install under rib with screws and solder thimbles to rib" mean?
Third, about finishing:
Where can I have a barrel blued, and how much does it cost, average?
Are BP barrels ever chrome lined?
What about wood finishing, what is most desirable?
What grades of sandpaper are needed? 1000? Finer?
Note that I want my rifle to be more practical than just a beautiful wall hanger.. It's pretty humid here in Florida, so that is a factor.
I know it's a lot of questions, but knowing the answers would greatly help me decide what to do. So, any input is greatly appreciated!
Thank you, ya'll have a great week-end
This is my first post here.. I live in Sarasota Florida, and I have always liked BP shooting. As a teenager, I owned, fired and lost a few BP revolvers (Uberti).. Mostly, I didn't clean them, didn't know any better, didn't care. I even put together a cheap Kentucky rifle kit, which only needed assembly and finishing, though I never finished the wood and went shooting.. My powder measure was a teaspoon
Almost 30 years later, I have come to appreciate fine things and learned to take care of them ;-)
Which brings me to really wanting to build a muzzleloader; this one in particular: http://www.longrifles-pr.com/schweitzer.shtml in .45 cal. Since I am a newbie, I have a few questions, and hope you guys can help me a little..
First, about barrel length and size. The Great Mountain barrels offered on the site are 36'' or 42'' long. 13/16 or 7/8 size (only 42'' in 7/8).
Isn't all the powder burned after 36'' of barrel travel?
Is there an advantage to the longer 42'' barrel?
I am thinking 36'' would be long enough. Should I get a 13/16, or shorten a 7/8? Would a 7/8 be stronger, or strength is more of a breech plug issue?
(I would like to try some long distance shooting..)
Second, about Pecatonica River Long Rifle Supply's services:
http://www.longrifles-pr.com/services.shtml
What is a staple underlug?
What does "Install under rib with screws and solder thimbles to rib" mean?
Third, about finishing:
Where can I have a barrel blued, and how much does it cost, average?
Are BP barrels ever chrome lined?
What about wood finishing, what is most desirable?
What grades of sandpaper are needed? 1000? Finer?
Note that I want my rifle to be more practical than just a beautiful wall hanger.. It's pretty humid here in Florida, so that is a factor.
I know it's a lot of questions, but knowing the answers would greatly help me decide what to do. So, any input is greatly appreciated!
Thank you, ya'll have a great week-end