My Niece Lori wants a muzzleloader I built. I got a set of parts off this website a couple of years ago and finished it up. The parts included a .45 15/16" x 32" barrel with plug and tang fitted, an underrib and stock. I modified the parts to what you see here. Cut the stock forend off about two inches, spliced onto the underrib, fitted a lock and triggers. The stain is Laurel Mountain Forge Lancaster Maple and the finish is Track of the Wolf Original Oil Finish. Put it on and immediately wipe it off for a thin coat, about 10 of them. I shot it with 35 grains of six different powders, none of which grouped very well. Then with the same six and 70 grains (by weight, measured) of the same powders. Changed the front sight to more nearly zero at 50 yards and shot these three targets.
I tested Alliant Black MZ and I like it. The bore has a couple of rough lands (discovered by use of an endoscope/bore scope) and the patches tore on the first target. but it is a good group. Notice the fouling shot is much lower in velocity, though in the group.
I filed the front sight down to raise the zero, too much, and used wool over powder wads on the second group. Basically the same velocity, but not as accurate. I don't know if the OPW affects the impact.
Next I used a 50 grain Goex 3F measure full of the AMZ, which actually weighs 47 grains, and the group dropped but is large. I'll try 60 grains and see if that impacts at the top of the sight picture.
The buttstock.
The rear sight. I hold the front sight centered in the hole and at six o'clock on the bar of the target. This is the best target I have devised for consistency of aiming.
I have more information on relative velocities of the 35 and 70 grain charges of the six powders, but more later.
