Author Topic: My Tennessee Dream Rifle but... (Read 3243 times)

scottmc · « **on:** February 19, 2020, 05:43:39 PM »

Well, I'm done done with this rifle and thought I'd post some pics. This is my 7th or 8th rifle and probably my best to date. I tried things on this that I never attempted before such as a poured nosecap and hand filed tang extension and then made the lock bolt escutcheon and toe plate and then modified the tail pipe and thimbles. My idea was to combine various attributes from originals that i have seen and liked.
1. The tang is copied from an original that I own and looks a lot like the Abijah Fairchild in David Byrds book.
2. The toe plate I copied out of Dale Johnsons sketchbook on parts.
3. The tailpipe I attempted to file like a Soddy that was on display in the smokies a couple of years ago.
4. The trigger guard is a forged original that I got from someone on this site a few years ago.
The buttplate was forged by George Morrison from Newhampshire.
5. The nosecap is copied the best i could from the Douglas that was on display at the Smokie mtn. Heritage center a couple years ago.
6. Made escuteons to look like the Bean on the cover of Rich Pearce's book from the Smokies.

The only drawback to this rifle is it kicks the heck out of my cheek bone and opens me up by the 7th round. No bruise but swipes my skin away. It only weighs 6.7 pounds with the rice .50 southern classic and shoots great. Im going to have Bobby Hoyt recline it down to a .44 hoping to add weight and reduce recoil to my face. I got to keep it legal for PA deer hunting and already have a .40.
I need to thank Mike Lyons for his consult with me on the nosecap and Smart Dog for guidance and consultation at Dixon's last year.

BOB HILL · « **Reply #1 on:** February 19, 2020, 06:06:18 PM »

You've done a great job on this one, Scott. Thanks for sharing.
Bob

LynnC · « **Reply #2 on:** February 19, 2020, 06:10:06 PM »

Over the comb tang. Two thumbs up. A true inletting challenge.

scottmc · « **Reply #3 on:** February 19, 2020, 06:25:35 PM »

Thanks fellas! I almost forgot. I have to thank Jim Parker for his consultation to me on the finish with burnishing and being patient. I never met the man in person but he sure seems like a genuine nice guy.

snapper · « **Reply #4 on:** February 19, 2020, 07:06:24 PM »

You dont tell us your powder charge. Have you tired a lower charge and see what it does? I would try that before relining.

Fleener

LynnC · « **Reply #5 on:** February 19, 2020, 07:24:34 PM »

I know this is a really hard to contemplate suggestion. I know it would be for me since I have done an over the comb tang. Not easy......but you blended several southern mountain makers styles so perhaps by reshaping the last over the comb portion of the tang, you could take a 1/4” or so off the forward comb top and still maintain that straight line from buttplate to comb nose. It looks like in the photos its possible. Just a thought. Good luck!

scottmc · « **Reply #6 on:** February 19, 2020, 07:38:33 PM »

Snapper, I started with 60 grains of 2f swiss and ended up at 65 grains. I wont shoot a grain more, no way, no how.

Lynn, I've contemplated what u mention. I'd have to rebend the end of the tang after knocking the front of the comb down a bit and hope I could get it back down in without breaking the tip from bending too much or just not bending to a correct angle. The other issue I failed to mention is that the bore is off so the notch is filed off to the left which makes me have to lay my cheek more on top the comb then I normally would. Strange for a rice but I guess it can happen. Hoyt said he could straighten that with the reline.

scottmc · « **Reply #7 on:** February 19, 2020, 07:46:44 PM »

Forgot this shot of the lock side...

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #8 on:** February 19, 2020, 07:50:29 PM »

The reason it cheek slaps you is the comb is about 1/2" too high and the junction of the wrist. Also, I like a .50 cal rifle to be in the 10 pound range.

WadePatton · « **Reply #9 on:** February 19, 2020, 08:13:23 PM »

Quote from: scottmc on February 19, 2020, 07:38:33 PM

Snapper, I started with 60 grains of 2f swiss and ended up at 65 grains. I wont shoot a grain more, no way, no how.

...

I run 85 in a light 54 Tennessee with no cheek issues (it's 7.25#). Methinks the guys saying reconfigure the comb are onto something.

EC121 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 19, 2020, 08:23:10 PM »

You could also put more scoop above the cheekpiece and roll it into the comb a bit. Never see it from a moving horse. Besides, individual touches are what keeps rifles from having that cookie cutter look.

LynnC · « **Reply #11 on:** February 20, 2020, 04:43:48 AM »

I think the comb of the stock is the main cheek kicker and reforming the last tang bend is a pain. Whatever you decide to do, i wish the best of luck to you.

Daryl · « **Reply #12 on:** February 20, 2020, 05:03:35 AM »

All this talk about weight - interesting. I just weighed my .50 - 44" bl. at exactly 7lbs. 15oz.
This rifle (a Beck) feels light and is quite quick on target.

flinchrocket · « **Reply #13 on:** February 20, 2020, 05:27:19 AM »

I have a Lancaster barn rifle made with a Rice southern classic 50 cal barrel. Has Chambers golden age flint,single trigger, side plate and two upper ramrod pipes and triggerguard that's it. I've never weighted it,but I'm sure it is 7lbs or less. You can shoot it all day with 60 fff. Don't kick a bit.

scottmc · « **Reply #14 on:** February 20, 2020, 06:06:48 AM »

I'll have to come to grips with what I'm going to do and just so it and hope for the best. Even if it becomes a .45, I fear it will still be a cheek bone biter so the comb may have to come down either way. I shoot a good bit competitively and am used to holding an 8.5 lb rifle. I was hoping to use this in some of them but too light to hold steady. I'll figure it out but wanted to share the pics.

Mike Lyons · « **Reply #15 on:** February 20, 2020, 06:11:18 AM »

Quote from: D. Taylor Sapergia on February 19, 2020, 07:50:29 PM

The reason it cheek slaps you is the comb is about 1/2" too high and the junction of the wrist. Also, I like a .50 cal rifle to be in the 10 pound range.

That’s some good advice that needs reinerated. Thanks for that Taylor. Several people including me are chasing the .50 cal that’s comfortable to shoot. Pretty rifle, very nice inletting and pewter work.

LynnC · « **Reply #16 on:** February 20, 2020, 06:49:15 AM »

Hey. Thats a darn good looking rifle and you admitted it needs alteration. Good on you. You’ll figure out the best approach to make it a comfortable shooter.

Now for my admission. I just reworked the first gun i ever built about 30 years ago. I lined the bore and cut the comb down and it still bites my cheek a little but its Far better than it was. I may have to cut a bit more off the comb to totally cure it.

Marcruger · « **Reply #17 on:** February 20, 2020, 01:40:32 PM »

Whenever I hear “cheek slapper”, I think drop at the heel and/or comb.
Visualize you cheek staying still, and that stock sliding straight rearward in line with the bore.
The comb is climbing or ramping upwards as the gun goes backwards.
Physics says that the more drop below the bore line, the more the whole gun will rotate upwards.
That is why unmentionable backstuffer stocks have little drop at the comb. Makers learned over time in my opinion.
I have a light flinter with the same bore and barrel. Not a kicker at all with 72 grains 2f.
I hope this helps. Marc

Joe S · « **Reply #18 on:** February 20, 2020, 05:02:33 PM »

Scott - I'm wondering if you could bend the wrist. Taylor and Jerry Huddleston would be able to opine on this.

scottmc · « **Reply #19 on:** February 20, 2020, 05:05:27 PM »

Was just downstairs looking at her a bit and doing some measuring. The distance from top of the wrist to top of the comb is .5". I could probably take off an 1/8th or little more and still be aesthetically pleasing and perhaps help my cause. I think I'll try it. There is a dip in the middle of the comb that rises back up to the tang and right where that rise starts is where my blood Mark's are. I must have inadvertently got it in there when final shaping. Bad me🤪

scottmc · « **Reply #20 on:** February 20, 2020, 07:04:08 PM »

1/8th gone. Not to bend the metal...

LynnC · « **Reply #21 on:** February 20, 2020, 07:15:52 PM »

Looking good. Every little bit helps.

scottmc · « **Reply #22 on:** February 20, 2020, 08:09:55 PM »

...and re-inletted. Actually cut about 3/4" off the tang which was good cause it was too long. It now more closely resembles my original in length over the comb.
Now I'll talk to hoyt about trying to straighten the barrel as opposed to relining it which will hopefully bring my notch into the center of the barrel which will result in me not having to push my cheek bone so hard onto the wood. Will also get another higher sight and start over with that. For the weight issue, I think I'll make a brass rod to put in place of the wood rod when target shooting. That should get me over 7 lbs. I would think.

boy names that don t end in n

scottmc · « **Reply #23 on:** February 27, 2020, 02:27:15 AM »

Thanks you folks for the recommendation on dropping the comb height! It worked!! I shot "Ali" today and no open cheek wounds or bruises, for that matter. I also made a brass rod to use when target shooting which has added 1 lbs 3 oz. bringing the total weight up to 7 lbs. 10 oz. I think I may be able to go back to my original rifle name of "Twiggy".

WadePatton · « **Reply #24 on:** February 27, 2020, 03:48:01 AM »

Quote from: scottmc on February 27, 2020, 02:27:15 AM

Thanks you folks for the recommendation on dropping the comb height! It worked!! I shot "Ali" today and no open cheek wounds or bruises, for that matter. I also made a brass rod to use when target shooting which has added 1 lbs 3 oz. bringing the total weight up to 7 lbs. 10 oz. I think I may be able to go back to my original rifle name of "Twiggy".

Good deal. All's well that shoots well!

News:

Author Topic: My Tennessee Dream Rifle but... (Read 3243 times)

Joe S