New .54

[longcruise]

Nice looking rifle.  How wide is that butt plate?

[smylee grouch]

OK Capt. you have a nice gun there, I too like your engraving, the job and the design. I also like the carving, its your gun and your carving, looks nice and it will be YOU when people look at it. You cant stop now so good luck on your next one.    Best wishes     Gary

[Daryl]

Looking pretty good - how's it shoot? 

[horseman]

 I really like the looks of your rifle.  A good job on the engraving, too.Would you please go into the lye wash and vinegar a little deeper?  Are used on a stock with a small amount of stripes?  Thank you.

[KLMoors]

Hi guys,

Sorry I missed a few of your questions. Re- shooting. I haven't had it out yet. The heat here in eastern NC has been nasty. As soon as I get a nice cool morning lining up with me having some time I'll get her out and report back.

The butt plate is 1 15/16 inches wide.

I just checked the screws on the toe plate and they look fine. Not sure why it looks funny in the pic?    

The lye water treatment helps to bring out the curl in some pieces of maple. From what I've read, it draws some of the tanin to the surface. On some pieces it REALLY works and on others it does very little. It's effect must have to do with the amount of tanin in the curls to begin with.

Remember to wear gloves and safety glasses while working with this lye stuff. It WILL burn you.  I mix about 1/2 of a coffe cup full of water with one teaspoon on red devil lye. I mix it up  and then I brush the solution on with a brush with nylon bristles. (it will eat natural bristles) I put it on heavy and then let it dry for several hours.  I then spray a light coat of vinegar on it to neutralize the lye. I've been told that this is not necessary but I have noticed no ill effect from it so I've continued to do it. Just a light coat. Let it dry overnight.

Then I go about staining it and finishing it.

Thanks again folks, and sorry I took so long answering some of your questions!

[Long John]

Capt'n,

Real fine looking piece!  You will have a good time with it.

Best Regards,

JMC

[cheyenne]

Old topic, but wondering how it shoots?

[A.Merrill]

    Great job. I love everything about it. How's she shoot? Keep up the excellent work.    AL

[bama]

Very nice rifle, excellent craftsmanship and finish work. I like it and I think that your on your way to developing your own style which I think is a great thing. One of the things I like about long rifles is no two are the same, each one stands on it's own merit. Well done my friend.

[KLMoors]

Thanks again folks. I appreciate all the kind words.

It shoots real well. I've only had it to the range two times so far but it was right in the black about 2 inches right on the first 3 shots. Tapped both sights a tad and it is right in there now. I seemed to get tighter groups the higher I go on charge. I've only tried 3F but it really liked 90 and 100 grains. I'm thinking of bringing down both sights to a lower profile as suggested now that I know I can do it. I agree that doing that would help the look too.

Thanks again and happy Thanksgiving!

[t.caster]

I haven't been around much lately....I missed this one last summer!
No criticism at all, looks like "my style" of rifle. Very nicely executed!

[Birddog6]

I think you did a great job in all aspects of the build. Not overly done & especially like the sideplate & patchbox.  nice job !   

Keith Lisle

[wattlebuster]

I like it VERY NICE

[Rasch Chronicles]

Lacking, as of yet, any historical, aesthetic or stylistic knowledge of the Longrifle artform, I find it to be a very nice rifle. I think it all comes together, and in the end if it shoots straight and true, then you did your part.

Best regards,
Albert
http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/