12 bore English Sporting rifle

[snapper]

So, what do I shoot in the old girl.

While at Oakridge shoot a few weeks ago, I borrowed a bullet mold from my buddy Rick Weber.  He just happened to of made a modern rendition of a 12 bore, and he cut a mold for his new rifle.

Rick  was kind enough to let me borrow his mold. 

The bullets are too small for my rifle and if I used 3 wraps from my paper, the bullet fits snuggle in the bore. 

I dont know that I really want to shoot that heavy of a bullet in this rifle.    Not sure it was made for it.

These bullets check in at 850 grains.  Compared to a 550 grain RB.

I put a .45 cal bullet next to the 12 bore just as a comparison.

So, if I shoot RB what dia. ball should I go with and patch?  .715 RB and .020 or .030 patch?

I see that on flea bay there are 2 .715 molds at least currently for sale.

Your thoughts and opinions?

anyone got a mold that they want to sell?

thanks

fleener

[Daryl]

If .736" or .738" bore diameter, I would likely .730" mould with a decent patch  -  say, .022" would likely work just fine.

Jeff Tanner or the UK will bore that and it will be on it's way in a day or so.  The Tanner moulds I have took less than 12

days to get here in the centre of BC.

IMHO, a .715" ball is for a 12+ bore fowler or musket.

A .715" ball is already  .023" undersized.  You would need 14 ounce denim to get remotely close to the bottom of the

grooves.  If that is OK, then fine, but it will not shoot as well as it could.

[snapper]

Daryl, thanks for chiming in.

Would I be off base if my bore is .737, to go with a ball that is .727 with a .020 patch, for a combo of .747?  That gives me .010 over?

Or do you think that will be too loose?

I guess if I go with a .730 mold, I can always use a thinner patch if it likes it or needs it?  Whats 3 thousands right?

As I work this out and type it I think I will go with the .730 mold from Tannner. 

Anyone disagree?


thanks

fleener

[Hungry Horse]

I only hope the gun is expendable, because even with a light charge you are going to telegraph a lot of shock to an old brittle stock.

  Hungry Horse

[Pukka Bundook]

H-Horse,

It's a good policy to soak a stock in raw linseed, cut with turpentine to put life back into it. 
Bill Curtis also recommended removing the buttplate if possible to get more oil into it.

I do this with my old stocks, after any repairs.

[Daryl]

Daryl, thanks for chiming in.

Would I be off base if my bore is .737, to go with a ball that is .727 with a .020 patch, for a combo of .747?  That gives me .010 over?

Or do you think that will be too loose?

I guess if I go with a .730 mold, I can always use a thinner patch if it likes it or needs it?  Whats 3 thousands right?

As I work this out and type it I think I will go with the .730 mold from Tannner. 

Anyone disagree?


thanks

fleener

A .727" mould would be just fine. One simply has to use a patch that seals, or almost seals to bore, but actually maintains it's integrity.  I have a Tanner .677"(15 bore)

mould for my .690" bore that works well in pure or hard lead with a 14ounce denim patch. I measure those at .034". The ball is .013" undersize, but works fine with the

thick patch.

I find in pure lead, the ball casts .675" from the .677" mould. The harder alloy balls cast at .677".

[snapper]

I ordered a .730 mold from him this morning.

thanks

art

[heelerau]

Art, there seems to be ver little about loads for these sporting rifles, there must be at least a few people shooting them. Those rifles that come with their original case and accouterments would be the best guide as there will be load information pasted on the inside of the case. Some of these rifles have that information on the lid of the cap box inset into the rifles but. No such luck with my rifle .

Cheers
Gordon

[Daryl]

& no case with this one, which is surprising.







There was "strava delete account" url below the pictures. I went back into this post and deleted it.

I have no idea what it was or where it came from.

[snapper]

Daryl

give us more info on your rifle.

thanks

fleener

[Daryl]

http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=43596.0

shooting her

http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=44595.0

[TN Longhunter]

Daryl,

I have the twin to your rifle. No maker mark. A nice 12 bore rifle.



Then it has a little brother. Barrett and Son.

[Daryl]

Oh WOW- those are beautiful! Thanks for posting the pictures, TN Longhunter.

The Joseph Lang 16 bore is Taylor's rifle, not mine, however, I have a flintlock I would trade for it. 

[heelerau]

Longhunter, as Darryl says, Wow, what a lovely pair of rifles. Now your range report !!

Cheers

Gordon

[TN Longhunter]

Actually, home for two weeks. On my list to get out back and try them out  Saw a great looking English stalking rifle in flintlock this weekend at the Tennessee Longrifle show. Was there for a short time and could never catch the owner at his table.  Twist barrels and all of the little extras.  But I know who has it, so.........