ORDER OF SEQUENCE FOR BUILDING LONGRIFLES AND WHY?

[Topknot]

TO ALL OF THE MASTER BUILDERS OF ALR!
 I am new to ALR, and posted my introduction just a few weeks ago,and i am sort of bumfuzzled about the proper sequence to follow for longrifle building. I have a few videos
 and books and what i have noticed is that the builders follow different orders of squence. since i have finally gotten all my parts together and am ready to start, I would like to know what order of sequence that each of you MASTER BUILDERS follow...... and most of all, why? i have a dickert style stock that is pre-inletted for the lock and barrel.
also the ramrod hole has been pre-drilled. ANY additional information and tips would be highly appreciated.

                                                   thanks to all of you in advance,

                                                                                                           topknot

[rich pierce]

If a kit then after the breech is seated get the lock in most of the way so you then know where the touch hole would be. Then you will know if you need to set the barrel back or not to have the touch hole clear the breech plug. Set barrel back or deeper as needed. Then install breech plug with tang and inlet it.  Then finish lock inlet.

[Dr. Tim-Boone]

The reason this has to be in the sequence Rich described is that the lock is already inlet and cannot be moved forward or backward. On a blank or precarved stock that does not have the lock pre-inlet you have more freedom to adjust the lock location to the barrel. and to align it the way you want it re the barrel and stock. In that situation you have more options in the sequencing.  With experience you will see that it is a pretty common-sense process.  Right now it may seem a little overwhelming. So this is a good place to ask the questions to double check your thinking.

[Topknot]

thanks for the info rich. it is not a kit rifle , its a pecatonica river stock, a barrel that i had made previously to fit a thompson hawkens from rice barrel co, and a large siler
percussion lock and all the rest from TROY ROOPE at stonewall creek outfitters., a truly superb and helpful fellow.

[Topknot]

DR. BOONE, yours and richs advice makes alot of sense to me. I have not read or seen this explanation in any book or dvds that i have.. THATS THE ANSWERS IM LOOKING FOR.  This is what makes this site GREAT! Ican assure you that your advice will be followed. MOST HELPFUL!

                                                                                                                  THANKS FELLAS,


                                                                                                                                               topknot

[JDK]

Percussion can change things a little....or a lot.

Is your barrel already breeched with the TC Hawken style breech or are you using a drum and nipple or different breech all together?

This will affect the above instructions.  If you are using a patent or hooked breech system you may procede differently than if you are using a drum and nipple.

Enjoy, J.D.

[Topknot]

J.D., I originally had a thompson hooked breech installed by RICE when they built the barrel, but later when i decided on building a traditinal style longrifle, I
contacted TROY and asked him to re-breech the barrel to a traditional breech plug for me, which he did. I have powder drum frpm troy to be installed. thanks for asking.

                                                                                                            topknot

[JDK]

Now, I am no MASTER BUILDER....an amateur at best.

That being said....using a drum and nipple you can procede as above.

You will, of course, not be working toward aligning a flash hole but determining the placement of your drum so that it aligns with the notch provided for it on the lock plate.  You want the drum centered on the side barrel flat forward of your breech plug and your lock inlet so that it lines up and supports the drum in the notch provided on the lock plate.

I would use a blank drum....not predrilled for the nipple and use this tool set http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/1033/1/TOOL-DRUM

After the lock is installed use the installation set above again to install the nipple on the blank drum in alignment with your hammer.

Then install trigger/s.  At that point you have a functional firearm.  With the trigger/s installed you can determine the trigger pull length and work from the butt forward.

Enjoy, J.D.

[Topknot]

J.D., THANKS for the info. looks to be a very useful tool to have.

                                                                      THANKS AGAIN,

                                                                                                 topknot

[JDK]

It's a labor saver for sure....and the price is right.   Enjoy, J.D.