Percussion Question

[Mark Elliott]

I don't have much experience building percussion guns and I have a question.  Does anybody see a problem with putting a 5/16 - 24 percussion drum in a Rice 50 cal Southern Classic?  My concern is that the barrel wall is too thin for a 5/16-24 drum.  

[Bob Roller]

Mark,how thick is that barrel wall? My personal standard for such an installation is a barrel wall minimum of 1/4".A precise fit of the lock cut for the drum is not optional,it's mandatory to prevent as much as possible the loosening of the drum in it's own threads.Another factor is the lock.One with an extremely hard strike on the nipple isn't needed and is another reason for the precise fit of the drum to the plate.

Bob Roller

[Lucky R A]

Mark, I have been using that very same drum on my Bedford 45 w/ a 13/16 barrel for many years. I believe that the wall thickness on this gun would be less than what you would have. The gun is fired by an L & R Bedford percussion lock.  This lock has a relatively short throw and doesn't hammer the nipple.  I have fired many thousands of shots out of that gun.  I did replace drum once when I got some gas cutting along side the nipple, the drum to barrel fit is still perfect.  I would not hesitate to use this set up, as long as you have a good drum to lock fit as Bob mentioned.   I like to fit the barrel to the lock w/ a 1/16 shim under the barrel. After fitting as carefully as possible I remove the shim under the barrel and tighten down the barrel tang screw.  This assures good solid drum to lock contact.  Ron

[Mark Elliott]

Thanks for the advice, guys.