1792 Contract Rifle- To Line or Not to Line

[pflyman]

I am in the last stages of finishing Don Stith's 1792 Contract Rifle.  I have not yet drilled the touch hole.  While I previously purchased a White Lightning vent hole liner, I have attempted to stick to a historic look to the rifle.  For example, the lock and barrel have been polished bright.  I am now thinking that I should dispense with the liner for the time being.  If ignition is too slow or if time and use end up eroding the touch hole, I could install it at that time.  Any thoughts?

Finally, because the lock and barrel are bright, I am looking for input on treatment to prevent rust.  Is light oil the solution?  I finished the stock with a paste of BLO/turpentine/beeswax.  Has anyone considered using that on the barrel?

Dave

[Robert Wolfe]

Skip the vent liner and see how it works for you that way. You can always go back and add the liner.

[T*O*F]

If it's a reenactor gun only shooting blanks, just drill the hole.  If you will use it for hunting or target shooting and want it to go off reliably, install the liner.  If you have the means to cone the inside of the hole, then you can also use the drilled method.

[LynnC]

You can also cone the vent from the inside to get vent liner type ignition.

I've done it with a small ball cutter in dremmel tool.  Works well for me.

Stophel has posted a home made case hardened V cutter made from a nail.
try searching coned vent.......................Lynn

[rich pierce]

Jim Chambers has some liners made from barrel steel.  Now you can have it both ways.  Liner and traditional look.

[Nate McKenzie]

I often cone the barrel from the outside with a cone shaped Dremel bit. Works great.