2 groove British Sporter

[Steve Bertram]

This is my first post on your fine forum. I am gunmaker who specializes in the restoration of classic firearms with a focus British side by side shotguns, rifles and single shots. I have recently purchased  William Moore 14 bore two groove rifle and am anxiously awaiting its delivery. I have some wood repairs to do and once that is complete I plan on sending Jeff Tanner in the UK a cerrosafe cast of my bore and having a belted ball mold made. According to the seller the rate of twist is about 1:32". Any input regarding load development would be greatly appreciated.
                      Steve

[Bob Roller]

This is my first post on your fine forum. I am gunmaker who specializes in the restoration of classic firearms with a focus British side by side shotguns, rifles and single shots. I have recently purchased  William Moore 14 bore two groove rifle and am anxiously awaiting its delivery. I have some wood repairs to do and once that is complete I plan on sending Jeff Tanner in the UK a cerrosafe cast of my bore and having a belted ball mold made. According to the seller the rate of twist is about 1:32". Any input regarding load development would be greatly appreciated.
                      Steve

Elegance in the grand manner of the London Gunmakers.No idea on the 2 groove belted ball.
Seems to me that the 2 groovers used a winged projectile instead of a belted ball. Does the
single set trigger still work??

Bob Roller

[hammer]

Is this the same bore and grooves of the Brunswick rifle and its belted ball?  If so the belt goes into the grooves within a greased cloth patch.   Loads may be similar.  Britishmilitaria web site and Forum should have something.
Good luck.
Peter.

[Steve Bertram]

I have yet to get the rifle in my hand as of yet, I'll know more once it arrives. I believe the set trigger works. I believe it to be similar to a Brunswick rifle in bore and groove, maybe a faster rate of twist I do not know for sure. A winged conical is another possibility.

[Chuck Burrows]

What caliber? that would help on figuring loads.
I once owned a Rigby (in the 1970's) that had molds for both the winged ball as well as a winged conical. Caliber was .58 and it had 1:30 twist.

My best loads for the roundball were in the order of 80-100 grains of 2F - I tried patched (high thread (500tpi)) count linen and un-unpatched . the batched ball did better than un-patched, but for a second shot the un-patched did fine out ot 50 yds or so. Never used the conical much since it was so pointed that it wasn't a good game killer.

[Steve Bertram]

14 bore so it should be about .690" diameter. I would love to be able to run 100-120 grains of 2F in it.

[Feltwad]

Steve
If you need more information on your Moore two grove rifle try the MLAGB website they have members who specialize in these original rifles
Feltwad

[Steve Bertram]

Thank you feltwad, I just joined.
            Steve

[The Rambling Historian]

There is a Kentucky rifling on the latest Rock Island Auction blog post along with a bunch of other rifles:
https://rockislandauction.blogspot.com/

[Steve-In]

Steve Dick Chubb has harvested whitetails with his belted ball guns.  I don't have contact info on him but he may be able to help with loads.

[Buck]

The gun at RIZ is pictured here in the library, AB Smith?
Buck

[doug]

.No idea on the 2 groove belted ball.
Seems to me that the 2 groovers used a winged projectile instead of a belted ball.

    I have a two groove rifle that I think was made by Lancaster.  I shoot a patched and belted ball out of it and it seems to be moderately accurate (it has been a while since I shot it).  If my memory is correct the ball is about .60 cal and the belt about .66" diameter.  I made a Jeff Tanner style nesting mold about .010" smaller than the bore.

cheers Doug