Milsurp After Hours

Robert,

Thanks for your reply.
I really appreciate all these tips.

A capper is a great idea.
I think I'll order one ASAP.
That goes for the band of marking tape too.

I already bought a longer loading rod some time ago.
Last weekend I bought some of the attachments you mentioned.

I can be very short about the capsules.
I have to use these.
It's in our gun law.

I can't wait until Sunday.

Met vriendelijke groet,

Martin

You might want a stand alone fiberglass loading rod that is longer than the loading rod that comes with the gun. It should have multiple attachments.... loading ram, cleaning jag, and screw for pulling an occasional lead ball. You can also put a band of marking tape on the shaft to mark the depth of an empty barrel.

I made myself an aluminium rod and marked it with a line showing the Loaded depth and not the empty barrel depth. That way you know that your charge and ball are properly rammed home without any hollows in the powder.
I scribed a line rather than taped one so it doesn't come off with ware.

My notion to do it the other way around is because:

1. I know when the gun is completely unloaded.

2. I know if there is about a half inch gap it's because I forgot to put the powder in and that's why there is no bang. And just about everybody will do this eventually..... long after one is so sure of the loading process as a habit that his mind is on something else when he goes through the loading motions.

It is still possible to put on another tape marker for whatever you have for a full load if you like. But if you tap the rod down on the ball a couple of times, you know the load is seated firmly without any mark I'd think. Tape is cheap enough. You could have a full and an empty mark. To each his own habits.

Another thing about using tape is... one mark or set of marks will not do for every gun. That's why you use tape and replace it according to indication requirements.

One rod per gun Robert. I couldn't use a rod for the left hand carbine on the right hand rifle (?) or vice versa.
Of course, that supposes you have more than one piece, which in Martins case -and mine - isn't the case
Each to their own and thank goodness others are happy to share their knowledge and ideas.

I couldn't use a rod for the left hand carbine on the right hand rifle (?) or vice versa

Sure you could....if both barrels were the same length and both used the same loads....and no matter if you used an empty barrel measure or a loaded barrel measure on the same loading rod. But if you have one loading rod and several guns with different barrel lengths and calibers.... then...well you get the picture.

If what you do works for you, Duncan, I don't wish to try and convince you to do otherwise. There is no written in stone one right way to do anything. If that were so the Brits would drive on the right side of the road because all of their steering wheels would be on the left side of the car caused by the larger demand in the car making world.

Don't you believe it Robert

One positive thing about Duncans method is that if you managed to put a double load in a gun you would notice it. I know I have read some place how in some major battles of the US Civil war some rifles were found after the battle that had been loaded a number of times and not fired at all..... probably just as well considering.

Took my Ardesa(Traditions) Hawken Woodsman to the range today.
In one word....FANTASTIC.....
Matches for this rifle are shot at 50 meters, so I put up the target at this distance.

I fired 10 rounds and loved it.
All round balls hit the target and most of them even close to "the black"



I still have to learn a lot, but I don't mind a bit.
After the 5th shot I noticed that loading started to get difficult, but cleaning the barrel with Ballistol mixed with some water got rid of that problem.
I think that when I clean after every 3rd shot, loading will be no problem at all.

Cleaning was easy.
I cleaned the barrel at the range with a couple of patches and at home I filled up a bucket with hot soapy water and cleaned the barrel thoroughly.
I just love Pyrodex P.

There was just one minor problem.
Getting the barrel out of the stock was no problem, but putting it back was.
I had to loosen the tang screw to hook it back in.
Maybe I did something wrong, but I don't know what.

All in all I had a FANTASTIC day.
I think.......NO....I'm sure I found myself a new hobby.

Some pictures:
















I think I'll take this one to the range again next week.

Met vriendelijke groet,

Martin

Loosening the tang screw to get the barrel unhooked is pretty much normal. It will become second nature to you eventually.
Glad shooting the gun was a happy experience.

Well I am so glad that you enjoyed yourself Martin - just think what it would have been like if you hadn't
I hope that it lived up to everything we said or we would have egg on our faces!!
If you ever get to passing by our place you will have to bring me some Pyrodex to try out