new gun today.......

[DarryH]

I knew I should have stayed home today !
It was 'honey do's" or gun show...no hard choice there.

Lincoln, Nebraska is holding a black powder trade fair and gun show
combination this weekend.

I figured maybe 2-3 hours, peddle a few items, maybe pick up some ammo.
OK, so it was 5 hours, and I didn't sell anything...but....
150 rounds of non-corrosive, boxer primed 7x57 Mauser for $45........
160 rounds of non-corrosive 8x57 mauser for $50.......
100 rounds of non-corrosive boxer primed 7.5x55 Swiss for $50.......
a brass lizard with ruby eyes for $50..........
........................and..............
 smooth bore trade rifle in .62 caliber/20 gauge.
flint lock, built by Rod Olsen of Herman, Nebraska.
I am told he is a pretty good gun builder with a good reputation.
Anybody else dealt with him
He says he has built over 200 assorted guns now.
This gun he sold to someone else. He got it back to sell for the original buyer.
I phoned the original owner and talked to him. He has several other guns of
Mr. Olsen's. I guess he did not really get into the whole smooth bore thing.
The load he used was 60-65 grains of FFg black powder,
and pillow ticking of .15 to .16 with a .595 round ball.
He did not try shot loads.
I will need help with the shot loads. I have not loaded
shot loads before. I would like to keep it simple, and
at least similar to what originals would have been used with.

I know Track of The Wolf is a good source for my needs,
but I would love input and suggestions on loads for both round ball and shot.
My intention is to shoot rabbits and pheasants with the shot loads, and deer with
the round ball loads.

Thanks all.
Good Shootin!!
DarryH
Nebraska

[Kermit]

How long is the barrel? Unchoked, can we presume?

[Leatherbelly]

  Darry,
   If that is a .620 bore, I'd move up to .600 balls and an 18 thou patch.You'll need a short starter to get it going,nice sloppy wet spit patch. That charge may be alright, but don't be afraid to increase by 5-10 grs. Ram the ball down in short increments so not to break your rod. 6-8 inches at a thrust.You won't foul your bore with a tight combo and shoot it all day at the range.If hunting, substitute pure neetsfoot oil for spit(your range water based lube). Smoothbores are the most fun!

[Macon Due]

Can't seem to see the Pictures???
Macon

[Horner75]

DarryH, ... Yepper!  I know and have known Rod Olson since about 1974 and own several of his guns that he has made for me.  He is very low keyed, but knows his stuff and I have never heard a bad word about his craftsmanship and skills.  Three of the earliest flintlock rifles I had built by Rod is serial numbered 57, 62 and 85, these three guns were built in the late seventies and early 80's and he built a neat underhammer pistol about 6 months ago for me, so you can see that he has been around for a long while making guns before I knew him.  I live in Omaha and go up to his shop pretty regularly.

Rick Froehlich

[DarryH]

I am going to E-mail Mr. Olsen and ask him some questions.
In a few days I will get some measurements and pictures to post.
I have to work open to close the next two days, so it might even be Thursday
before I get this done.

This is my first smooth bore, and my first flintlock.
I have fired these before, but those guns were handed to me
and I only pointed and pulled the trigger.
I do shoot a modern caplock by CVA.
Yeh...Hawkin style, sorta.
I also own a Tradition's Crockett in .32 caliber.
My first forays into black powder was with revolvers.
I still own several, including an 1847 Walker replica.
My favorite is the 1861 Navy Model with the charcoal blue.
I have a shoulder stock for that one too.

I know I will have more questions, but for now I have to go.

Thanks all.
Good Shootin!!
DarryH

[duca]

Awesome! How is it working out so-far?