I am new in here.

[BartSr]

Better Pictures.



Now to find a stock.

Paul

[Daryl]

I'd have put all that nasty impressed 'engraving' on the bottom flat.

[LURCHWV@BJS]

   BartSr

  First of all, Welcome to the forum.  BEWARE, this can be very addicting.  The collective knowledge here is phenomenal and you can't get it anywhere elsewhere


   Rich

[BartSr]

I'd have put all that nasty impressed 'engraving' on the bottom flat.

I would have done that, also but it already has front/rear sight dovetails, besides the three threaded holes for the ramrod and the two dovetails for the keys.

Paul

[Daryl]

There ya go - I forgot about the other 'stuff'.

[KNeilson]

Bartsr, Most of the H@A style as well as the Billinghurst actions (underhammers) have a stud on the breechplug that installs into the action. They are very simple to make if you have a lathe. If you dont, its still a very simple turning job that could be had for not a lot. Ive made several by using a gr5 bolt of the appropriate thread, turning the end flat to seal at the breechface, then using the head to drive it into the barrel. Once its locked into the barrel, turn the spigot of size to the action. These usually are about 1/2 to 5/8 dia., by approx 3/4 in length. There is an underhammer action built/mounted off a triggerplate that was discussed recently that may work with the breech plug  youve come up with. You should check them out... Kerry
http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=22155.0

[BartSr]

Action unfinished, needs a lot of TLC.

Sorry for the low contrast picture, I took it with a flash on white paper, that's a no-no.
The sear is like a teeter-totter. Trigger pushes tail down, nose lifts, releasing the hammer. Will have trigger guard type hammer spring

Trigger movement to fire should be about 0.25 inches or less.

Paul
Still looking for stock ideas.

[BartSr]

Hammer Spring done. It pops caps.
Looking for a stock, next.

Paul

[BartSr]

Cherry Block purchased at the local Rockler store.
This part cut from that block.
Barrel inletting started.


Paul

[BartSr]

Action now fits. Barrel needs pinning. Stock needs shaping, etc.



Paul

[BartSr]

Barrel pinned, one pin, brass, 1/8 inch.


I found out yesterday that my job/plant is closing permanently, around Aug 8. All work going overseas.

Paul

[BartSr]

Here's how she balances. Right where I hang on to her.


Paul

[Old Ford2]

Sorry to hear, that the plant is closing.
Way too much of that happening.
I will not purchase anything off shore if it is made here on North America.
I really do like your underhammer trigger & hammer design.
There are many people looking for an underhammer action.
You might have something there "IF" you can produce those actions at a fair price, and sell them to those who are looking for a Underhammer, it might subsidize your income for some time. Numrich did OK!
All the best
Old ford

[BartSr]

Fred,

I am now scouting for a small shop to make parts.

Here is how she looks for now.


I know you folks are traditionalists, thanks for not chastising me for this crude attempt at making a rifle.

Paul

[TMerkley]

It's not as crude as my first one!

[HardBall]

I think it's coming along nicely.  Better than I could have done.

[BartSr]

OK, it shoots.
First two hits are at the top edge with a dead center POA. Moved my POA and next four were close enough.
.490 RB, striped patch from Bi-Mart, 55gr 777 FFFg, 25 yds. (I just needed to hit anything at this point!)
Rear sight opening is too large, at 25 yds I can see way more than two feet wide.
I need to learn about hammer spring geometry, occasionally it would not pop the caps but would on the second try.

[Old Ford2]

Hey Paul
Nice shooting, and all your work!
Fred

[BartSr]

Thanks Fred, I appreciate it.
I got tired of taking the whole weapon apart to clean out under the barrel and inside of the action.
So, I made this flash cup from Albanian 7.62x54R berdan brass ( I have lots of it).

Now I'll see how much cleaning I have eliminated.

Paul

[Topknot]

NICE JOB BART. WELCOME TO ALR.

                                                  TOPKNOT

[ken]

I have a Jonathan Mountain rifle in 50 cal.. It may be old, but it shoots very well. Good luck with the barrel you found; it should make a good gun. Ken

[BartSr]

Ken,

Do you know the approximate age or build date of these Browning rifles? I am just curious as to the approximate age of said barrel. My barrel serial # is 1878A-0866.

I also note that when using .490 RB's a thin patch is quite loose. I imagine that I should be using .495 RB's or a much thicker patch. For now, I only purchase patches from Bi-Mart or some such stores.

Paul

[Daryl]

Paul- in most .50's a .495" ball and a .022" patch is perfect.  I've nver seen a .50 that didn't like that combination. Some do almost as well with as .490" ball and the same .022" (10oz denim) patch.  Our newest shooters, a young couple, are both shooting commercial .50 cal. flinters, with .495" pure lead balls and a .023" mattress ticking patchs. Neither has difficulty in loading that combination - we ALL start the load into the barrel using  short starters here as they make loading any combination easier. VERY wt patches help, of course, to keep the fouling soft- no one here needs to wipe during an entire day's shooting and neither should you.

[BartSr]

Range Report, 10/26/2012.

Five .490 Speer RB's,  Thick patches, 40 gr 777 3Fg, 25 yds.
Shot at www.EnglishPit.com In Vancouver, WA.

Barrel seems to be improving with usage! WooHoo!

Now to correctly align the sights.

Paul