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General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: monro1066 on July 28, 2012, 03:08:57 PM

Title: breech plug......too short??...
Post by: monro1066 on July 28, 2012, 03:08:57 PM
New build and an accident..have a 50 cal barrell.
Had 2 friends in shop and didnt pay attention while working.....
cut the B.Plug shortish....and have now 7/16 th (7 threads )
of a Breech Plug threaded the shoulder ,though does not meet
or fit neatly......do I need a new B.Plug and re- cut/re-fit so it is
"snug" to shoulder...........?
Any help is appreciated............................
Title: Re: breech plug......too short??...
Post by: rich pierce on July 28, 2012, 03:40:50 PM
7/16" is considered too short nowadays.  You do need a good seal else you'll risk gas cutting of your threads.  New breechplug would be my choice.
Title: Re: breech plug......too short??...
Post by: Herb on July 28, 2012, 04:49:40 PM
You don't say what size it is, but one way to fix it would be to fit a dime in front of your plug.  You can lightly file or scrape one side flat so it cleans better.  A dime is .050 thick and about .704 wide.  I think it works on 3/4" plugs.   And you could use Thompson Center's "Super Lube, Anti-seize Lubricant" on the threads.  This "seals the threads of muzzleloading breech plugs". "Protects threads and other metal surfaces from corrosion."
Title: Re: breech plug......too short??...
Post by: Dennis Glazener on July 28, 2012, 06:03:33 PM
Quote
You don't say what size it is, but one way to fix it would be to fit a dime in front of your plug.  You can lightly file or scrape one side flat so it cleans better.  A dime is .050 thick and about .704 wide.  I think it works on 3/4" plugs.
The problem here is that a dime on the breech face does nothing for thread engagement. I personally would want 9 full threads on a 18 tpi plug (assuming that's what you have). If its 16TPI I would want a full 8 threads. I have seen original barrels with less but I wouldn't want to shoot them.
Dennis
Title: Re: breech plug......too short??...
Post by: Dave B on July 28, 2012, 06:51:30 PM
A new breach plug is cheap insurance. I wouldnt attempt a salvage of it.
Title: Re: breech plug......too short??...
Post by: monro1066 on July 28, 2012, 11:37:54 PM
Hi all...............there seems to be a consensus from some
good back ground knowledged folks.
Time to buy a new plug..........and fit it when I am concentrating.
Thanks guys for the replies
Title: Re: breech plug......too short??...
Post by: Roger Fisher on July 29, 2012, 02:01:04 AM
Hi all...............there seems to be a consensus from some
good back ground knowledged folks.
Time to buy a new plug..........and fit it when I am concentrating.
Thanks guys for the replies
Mechanical advantage rule demands no less than 50% in length, so fit a new plug and sleep better at night and no  wife abuse needed.   ::)
Title: Re: breech plug......too short??...
Post by: monro1066 on July 29, 2012, 10:17:47 AM
Hi Rodger.........advice on any thing re a happy wife is
always welcome too..........Fitting a rifle barrell Breech plug
though ,I believe, is by far and away simpler to understand.....
and yes, I made a mistake on that too.........lets just let humour
 rule this time  :)........Regards to all who helped
Title: Re: breech plug......too short??...
Post by: greybeard on July 29, 2012, 10:36:33 AM
Hi Rodger.........advice on any thing re a happy wife is
always welcome too..........Fitting a rifle barrell Breech plug
though ,I believe, is by far and away simpler to understand.....
and yes, I made a mistake on that too.........lets just let humour
 rule this time  :)........Regards to all who helped

  When Mama is happy every one is happy!!     Bob
Title: Re: breech plug......too short??...
Post by: monro1066 on July 30, 2012, 12:04:12 PM
well said Rodger
Title: Re: breech plug......too short??...
Post by: James Wilson Everett on July 30, 2012, 05:44:19 PM
Guys,

The most important thing in any thread engagement is not the number of threads but it is the radial strength of the female part.  In a standard coarse thread nut there are three threads which is strong enough to break the bolt if both bolt and nut are of the same strength.  A heavy nut is much stronger than a standard nut, yet it still has the same three threads - it is thicker across the flats to resist failure by dialation.

So, when we breech a barrel we must pay close attention to the thickness of the barrel breech wall thickness.  For instance, if we use a 3/4 thread breech in a barrel that is 15/16 leaving a 3/32 wall - an overpressure could cause the breech joint to fail by dialation.  The pressure expands the barrel diameter and decreases the thread radial engagement resulting in a much weaker joint, and a potential failure.  So try to keep a breech plug thread that will give a stout wall thickness while still sealing the bore end on a shoulder.  Does this make sense?

As for me, I make the breech plug 9/16 long, giving about 12 threads.  That is 18th c style threads.

Jim
Title: Re: breech plug......too short??...
Post by: monro1066 on August 01, 2012, 04:54:47 AM
That does make sense so thanks for that.D