Building a muzzle loading shotgun.

Muzzle and breech loading black powder firearms. Military and sporting.
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Aughnanure
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Building a muzzle loading shotgun.

Post by Aughnanure » Fri Apr 03, 2015 3:21 am

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 cutter mounted in my best 3 jaw chuck
The set-up, looks scary but it's safe for gentle cuts
The set-up, looks scary but it's safe for gentle cuts
Long view
Long view
First cut
First cut
Finish cut finished!
Finish cut finished!
DSC07227-001.JPG (159.29 KiB) Viewed 5926 times
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. :bigsmile:
Self Defence is not only a Right, it is an Obligation.

Eoin.
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DuncaninFrance
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Re: Building a muzzle loading shotgun.

Post by DuncaninFrance » Fri Apr 03, 2015 8:34 am

I'm using the tactic that having posted my initial progress I'll keep going. :bigsmile:
Didn't work with my model boat Eoin :roll: :roll:
Duncan

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Re: Building a muzzle loading shotgun.

Post by Niner » Fri Apr 03, 2015 10:07 am

I'm interested in seeing how this project goes. I'm aware that you have the technical gunsmithing ability to do it too.
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Aughnanure
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Re: Building a muzzle loading shotgun.

Post by Aughnanure » Sun Apr 05, 2015 9:26 pm

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.
DSC07286-001.JPG
DSC07286-001.JPG (134.37 KiB) Viewed 5912 times
DSC07288-001.JPG
DSC07288-001.JPG (61.6 KiB) Viewed 5912 times
Self Defence is not only a Right, it is an Obligation.

Eoin.
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DuncaninFrance
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Re: Building a muzzle loading shotgun.

Post by DuncaninFrance » Mon Apr 06, 2015 2:39 am

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. :D :D
Duncan

What contemptible scoundrel has stolen the cork to my lunch? -- W.C. Fields
"Many of those who enjoy freedom know little of its price."
You can't fix Stupid, but you can occasionally head it off before it hurts something.
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