Building a muzzle loading shotgun.

[Aughnanure]

This is a build that I started yonks ago before licencing came in and it was registered but unfinished, so I've finally decided to get on with it.

The barrels are from a Spanish breech loader that was given to me as a basket case; the hammerless lockwork had given up the ghost and as it was, in my humble opinion, very ill designed without much regard to the laws of mechanics, I decided to put the excellent chrome bore barrels to good use.

Firstly I made two chamber inserts that are bored to form chambers leaving one inch of solid metal at the back.
I intended to make both of them from Nickel Aluminium bronze (which is tougher than mild steel) however after machining one I made the other out of mild steel, which was far easier to cut.

The cutter mounted in my best 3 jaw chuck

The set-up, looks scary but it's safe for gentle cuts

Long view

First cut

Finish cut finished!

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The cuts were gentle only a couple of thou at a time and were done on the side teeth and advancing from the outside to minimize any tendency to climb.

Finished up within a few thou of being square to the bores.

I'm using the tactic that having posted my initial progress I'll keep going.

[DuncaninFrance]

I'm using the tactic that having posted my initial progress I'll keep going.

Didn't work with my model boat Eoin

[Niner]

I'm interested in seeing how this project goes. I'm aware that you have the technical gunsmithing ability to do it too.

[Aughnanure]

Thanks for the kind remarks; here's a couple of shots of the stock blank.
I've had this for about 25 years so it's well seasoned!!
It's a piece of light coloured walnut (grown in Victoria, Aust.) and from the outside of the tree as there's a bit of sapwood on the tip of the forend, can't complain as it only cost me a couple of dollars at a gun show; someone's abandoned project.
It is still as I got it except that I sanded it a bit to get an idea of the grain and it doesn't look bad at all there is some figure and a hint of fiddleback.
Fortunately there is enough meat left to get the stock that I want out of it.

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[DuncaninFrance]

I think one of the most satisfying things about wood is the pleasure you get from working it from a rough piece to finished article and the progressive change as you do it.