Hawken breech

[A.Merrill]

I haven't built a Hawken in over 40 year's and I don't remember the breech having a powder chamber 3/8in deep. Is this right ? If I use it I think I would open it up some to make it easier to clean, or should I ?    Al

[Daryl]

A cone shape would be better, or perhaps if the hole was opened up to 'almost' bore diameter?  I've never seen a Hawken or other
 patent breech that did not have - chamber like that.
 

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

A hooked breech barrel is meant to come off the rifle for cleaning.  The only thing I'd change to improve the journal is to cut a champher out to bore size to prevent powder from bridging when you introduce the charge.  Be careful not to cut it larger than the bore, or you will create a cavity for fouling to accummulate where it would be difficult to get clean, dry and oiled.
Cutting that cavity larger than 3/8" will provide no advantage that I can see.

[smylee grouch]

A slight cone at the entrance of the chamber might help with the bridging aspect and a slower powder pour down the barrel sometimes helps.

[A.Merrill]

After I file or polish the hook on the plug and the tang slot its going to loosen it up, how do I tighten it back up ?    Al

[Dave B]

The only clean up you are going to need is on the face of the mating surfaces, the ramp portion of the bottom flat that touches the bottom barrel flat. Once these are clean you can take a large hammer to the tip of the breach hook and tap it to cause the drawing of the standing breach and patent breach together. Only remove material on the sides of the hook portion if it is binding. Others may have more advice on this. Go slow and use Prussian blue to check the mating of surfaces contact.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Do not file and polish the hook or the female recess for it in the standing breech.  Fit them up by filing, removing only metal that interferes with the fit.  If you were making your own hooked breech system from scratch, you could engineer it to take that metal into consideration, but the castings can't afford to lose that much steel.

[Bob Roller]

Do not file and polish the hook or the female recess for it in the standing breech.  Fit them up by filing, removing only metal that interferes with the fit.  If you were making your own hooked breech system from scratch, you could engineer it to take that metal into consideration, but the castings can't afford to lose that much steel.

This is sound advice and I would use a fine cut or medium cut with at least
one safe edge.I also would taper the 3/8" hole to bore diameter or slightly under.
Bob Roller

[A.Merrill]

Thanks for the info guy's,  I will put it to good use.   Al