Author Topic: Shot my 25 today. (Read 9847 times)

northmn · « **on:** October 19, 2009, 02:37:27 AM »

This fall has been a b----h with all the work I have needed to catch up on before winter. I had absolutely no firewood left which keeps me somewhat busy and we have already had two snowstorms. Thankfully the snow is melted off. I finally set up my 25 flintlock so I could shoot it and went out today and shot some. Reminded me how much fun the small bore can be. It will be a bit before I get everything sighted in where I want it, as I like to sight in the way I shoot. Sometimes bench rest does not hit the same. I generally rest against trees etc inthe woods when I shoot game. The 25 cal #3 buckshot worked great. They engrave the rifling fairly well with a 015 patch, but still load easily. 4F may be the way to go as I fouled out pretty quick with 3f and got flashes in the pan for the last shots. Would have tried it on squirrels but have to wait till tommorrow. Blows a pop can open pretty convincingly.

DP

Dancy · « **Reply #1 on:** October 19, 2009, 07:43:00 AM »

Pictures??

I will be interested to hear how it performs on game, I have wanted a 25 for squirrels for a while.

James

northmn · « **Reply #2 on:** October 20, 2009, 02:40:09 AM »

Would like to report but the squirrel had a lucky day. I did not clean out the breech quite enough and had a slight hangfire and a rather dead sounding load, likely a little oil left over. Squirrel took off quite rapidly, last I saw him he was headed for Hubbard County. Rifle likes 15 grs 4f which is fine as I load from the same horn. Wanted to post a picture with game but no luck today. Wasn't out long, but may go out tomorrow.

DP

billd · « **Reply #3 on:** October 20, 2009, 03:40:23 AM »

Northmn, What kind of groups are you getting at 25 yrds? I finished mine last week but didn't got out Saturday because of rain. Rain forecast again for this weekend. The season starts next Monday, time to panic!!

Bill

northmn · « **Reply #4 on:** October 20, 2009, 01:00:28 PM »

I have not really been able to ring the rifle out due to time constrai and the weather similar to what you mention. One problem I have always had with bench resting is that I don not always get the rifle to shoot to the same point of aim from offhand and hunting tree rest positions as from a bench. A bench will give one the most accurate loads and then one can sight in, but I did not have the time to do so. A couple of other contributers have used 25 grs 3f and a #4 25 cal ball. One has gotten about 30 squirrels with it. I get a lttle less fouling and adequate accuracy at 25 yards resting off of the four wheeler seat, etc with 15 grains of 4f and the #3 buckshot. Their combos work. I used the #3 because a 1/4 inch cut off bolt fell through the barrel. If a ball will fall throught the barrel it can be used. My combo loads easily with Crisco or spit and a 015 patch, but I use a short started load. Some like loading blocks for the smaller ball which may neccesitate a looser fit. Long winded answer, but I have had off hand match rifles, when I shot matches, that I never benched, but sighted in offhand. And I have won with them. I have also shot a lot of squirrels with other rifles from 32-45 doing that. One of my little quirks.

DP

Daryl · « **Reply #5 on:** October 20, 2009, 04:12:51 PM »

When I shoot ML's and heavy calibre modern rifles off the bench, I always hold the gun as it I was shooting offhand, not the standard bench-rest position which allows the gun to jump. This usually gives the same POI as when shooting offhand, from the .32, to the 14 bore. At 100 meters, if I shoot the .375H&H letting it jump, the poi is 3 1/2" high and 2" to the right. This would cause a miss, leg or perhaps gut shot at 200yards on a deer or moose, if sighted for the let-er-jump sitting BR position as it would be 6" low and 4" to the left - at least. The big ml's usually make about 2" vertical difference at 50 yards between the two positions - between standard BR or hand held on bags.

northmn · « **Reply #6 on:** October 21, 2009, 02:29:04 AM »

I was going to try shooting it off the bench today as I took a walk between rainstorms and missed again. Want to be absolutely sure it is the rifle. This one headed toward Beltrami county after I shot. I may have been misguided and should take out the 12 gauge with #5's. Don't think its the rifle. But it started raining again so I could not bench it. I do hit small targets out in the woods when I rest it. I tried walking them up and they get a little shy. One I tried to get a little closer too and never saw again. Having fun though. Grouse are getting scarce, my feet get sore, and I can sit on my tail in a grove of oaks and hunt squirrels and see game. I figure if I miss a few squirrels with my flinter I may hit a deer as the practice with these small bores teaches form if nothing else.

DP

DP

Dave R · « **Reply #7 on:** October 21, 2009, 05:15:37 AM »

DP
If I understand you correctly you prefer #3 buckshot over # 4! Is this correct? If I remember correctly a Rayl .25 cal measures .255" across the flats and therefore I would think #3 @ .250"ball would be just right and # 4 @ .240 would be just a tad bit too small in dia! Please comment on my assumption! I am 30% finished in building one of these little baby's and I am trying to learn as much from guys like you that have practical experience!!!
Thanks! Dave R

Daryl · « **Reply #8 on:** October 21, 2009, 05:20:27 AM »

DP - the little squeakers that are inside baby toys make excellent squirrel calls. I used one back in Ontario for greys, blacks & even the odd fox squirrels when I was a kid, hunting them with a .22LR or 20 bore single shot - figured the baby would get over losing one toy-

just kidding about the baby. Squeek rapidly on it, with the nozzle out between fore finger and middle finger, pushing with the thumb on the bulb. Wroks great. Just sit by a big tree and when the birds start singing again, start squeeking. It's kind of eery to here them splashing through the leaves or jumping branch to branch in the trees high above towards you, running in to see or maybe attack the intruder.

northmn · « **Reply #9 on:** October 22, 2009, 12:33:11 AM »

Quote from: Dave R on October 21, 2009, 05:15:37 AM

DP
If I understand you correctly you prefer #3 buckshot over # 4! Is this correct? If I remember correctly a Rayl .25 cal measures .255" across the flats and therefore I would think #3 @ .250"ball would be just right and # 4 @ .240 would be just a tad bit too small in dia! Please comment on my assumption! I am 30% finished in building one of these little baby's and I am trying to learn as much from guys like you that have practical experience!!!
Thanks! Dave R

[/sub]

The #3 is loading pretty easy for me. However one of the contributors has shot something like 30 squirrels with #4. I don't argue with success either. I picked #3 because 1/4 in rods fell through the barrel which told me I could load a #3. I not longer see the pure lead Buckshot listed with TOW, so that the harder #4 may be about right. #3 do not quite measure .25 but closer to .248 . Even so if I were to replace my current stock, which will take a while, I would still try the harder #3. Also the 4f seems to burn cleaner and have a little more snap. Its been raining all day and I picked up a bug thats been going around so today I was grounded. May have to try the squeak toy tommorrow. Should have a few left over from two daughters.

DP

billd · « **Reply #10 on:** October 22, 2009, 01:00:06 AM »

I finished my gun but didn't shoot it yet. It's a 42" Rayle swamped barrel and it measures .255". I don't have an accurate way to measure rifling depth but as close as I can tell it's only about .007.

Come h*!! or high water, I will get to the range this weekend. I have both #3 and #4 buck to try. For patches I have .015 and .018. For lube I have bear grease, mutton tallow, Lehigh, Shenandoah and even spit. Something will work. I'm hoping it's the bear grease with #3 buck combination!! I'll post what I end up with next week.

Here's a link to some pictures if your interested. It's not browned yet.

http://s62.photobucket.com/albums/h98/tobyje/walnut%2025/

Bill

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #11 on:** October 22, 2009, 01:52:04 AM »

Nice looking rifle Bill. You've done a nice job of finishing the walnut. I have a nice piece of walnut and a .25 Ed Rayle barrel that will some day end up as a Western PA rifle per T. Allison. I'm excited to see how yours performs. Thanks for the great pics.

Dancy · « **Reply #12 on:** October 22, 2009, 03:30:21 AM »

Bill,

that is a sweet lit'l varmint shooter! Would you mind sharing the profile dimensions of your barrel? I'm not sure if I want a swamped or a straight barrel.

James

billd · « **Reply #13 on:** October 22, 2009, 04:24:52 AM »

James,
My barrel is a 42", Ed also makes 44". The breech is .950, waist is .735 and the muzzle is .777. My gun weighs in at 8 1/4 lbs, not a light weight. James Levy's gun has a 44" and he told me his tips the scales just about 9 lbs. A 3/4 straight would definitely be lighter and cheaper but I like the looks of a swamped barrel.

I'm building a .36 now with a 42" 3/4 straight barrel. Except for the first gun I ever made, more years ago than I want to admit, it's the first straight barreled gun I ever built.
Any more questions, just let me know,
Bill

Dancy · « **Reply #14 on:** October 22, 2009, 05:11:31 AM »

Bill,
Thanks, I wasn't sure if it was lighter or heavier than the 3/4". That flared barrel is probably the sexier of the two for sure!

I wonder how much difference there is between a 25, 30 and a 32 as to power/range and finickiness/ease of use?

billd · « **Reply #15 on:** October 22, 2009, 05:54:07 AM »

I have no idea how those 3 calibers compare. All three will ruin a squirrel if hit in the body. I have a .32 too. I also have a Rayle .30 barrel here in the rack. I may build a gun with it or end up selling it. It was a spur of the moment purchase.
Bill

Ben I. Voss · « **Reply #16 on:** October 22, 2009, 03:36:29 PM »

Looks like very nice clean work! Good job. And look at that skinny ramrod, will ya!

northmn · « **Reply #17 on:** October 22, 2009, 04:58:48 PM »

Mine is a 3/4" barrel. After consideration I cut it down to 36 inches so I could have a handy supply of ramrods at 15 cents each. When I get a little time I will have to master posting pictures. The rifle is not finished yet anyway. I did it once with help and have forgotten some of it. The rifle is nice to carry and handy. Had it been 42" it would have been more unwieldy. As to difference in calibers between any thing between 25-40. Mostly it is a target shooting Rendezvous concern. The 36 would likely be better for larger critters like fox or coyote, possibly the 32 and a 40 is marginal on deer. The 32 I had was a disappointment as it blew up the critters and lost it at longer ranges in the target matches. I went to a 40 and should have went to a 45. I picked the 25 as a pure rabbit/squirrel gun as it is cheapest to shoot

? and it sounded like fun. I would not hesitate to get another 32 for that purpose as they did work with lighter charges at small game ranges. I shot a lot of squirrels with a 32 and a 45. The 45 loaded light blew their head off. The 32 loaded accurately blew their head off. My 40 loaded with a 45 ACP case of powder is a little less damaging but still doesn't leave a lot if body shot. For hunting small game there is no practical difference. For target shooting the 30 and 36 will work a little better out to 50-75 yards. I paid $150 for my Rayl barrel and could have gotten a 32 for about $110 in straight configuration. I can get Lee molds for a 32 and cannot for a 25. At the price of buckshot I would not mold anyway. Based on my experiences there are the differences.

DP

northmn · « **Reply #18 on:** October 23, 2009, 08:26:39 PM »

Benched it today. Did not have a set up for one hole groups. Needed a sight in and found it shot to the left which I suspected. When I left the sights alone I had 2 shots touching and a couple of vertical hits within an inch. Problems seeing the top of the silver front sight. Stands out well against woods but lousy on the backstop. I think the vertical was the sight itself. I also had to widen the rear notch slightly. Hate to admit it but my shooting ability ain't what it used to be. It now shoots where I point it, just can't always gurantee where its pointed.

DP

Daryl · « **Reply #19 on:** October 24, 2009, 03:33:01 AM »

I just received a .311" RB mould from Track - about $24.00 landed here. Now, if it clears up a bit, I'll cast some more balls.

northmn · « **Reply #20 on:** October 26, 2009, 05:44:27 PM »

Folks seem to be using rather small ball for the 32 now days. I shot mine with a 319 in the Douglas and the other barrels (I think they were Montana???) They shot well and loaded OK. I think the smaller bore, once short started loads a little easier. My 25 engraves the ball pretty well with the 015 patch but loads easily. I admit I used a sort of a coned muzzle when I crowned it. Its not a 100 yard tackdriver anyway, but best used likely with 50-60 yards.

DP

Kermit · « **Reply #21 on:** October 26, 2009, 06:10:27 PM »

I've been meaning to try ffffg. Makes sense. Mine's a Rayl 44". So far it likes 20gr 3f pushing a #4 wrapped in .018 ticking with spit. So many combinations, so little time...

Anyone else a little shy about that wee ramrod? I'm mostly still using a range rod for loading. I'm reluctant to hang a brass rod on the thing, since it's heavy enough already. An "A" weight with only a .255 hole has a lot of steel.

Levy · « **Reply #22 on:** October 27, 2009, 12:15:19 AM »

Kermit:

I used the 1/4 (48") hickory rod all last season without any mishap. I was very careful and never put my hands very far above the muzzle when loading. As long as I'm careful, I think it will be a while before I break one. I did find 3 good 1/4" hickory dowels at a local hardware store and purchased them just in case. I have stainless steel range rod (1/4").

James Levy

northmn · « **Reply #23 on:** October 27, 2009, 05:06:53 AM »

So far I get by with a 1/4 inch hardware store rod sanded down to about 20 cal. As Levy states, you should not grip the rod to far above the barrel. I maybe use 6inch strokes and less to get things going. Once down th ebarrel a ways they puch easier. That is true for any rod for any caliber. Based on others recommendations I started with 20 grainsof 3f but seem to get a little less fouling out of 4f. I started getting more flashes in the pan. I also happen to have an extra can of 4f. Due to rotten weather I have not had a chance to compare loads. I also made my own 3/16 vent insert ala Dan Dhparsis recommendations and use a .06 hole instead of a .0625. Was going to go smaller but the bit broke. I think the 4f may work better due to the smalleer vent. It may be self priming in a larger one.

DP

Dancy · « **Reply #24 on:** October 29, 2009, 04:39:20 AM »

With such small charges, is flint more reliable than percussion?

Do you find the 25s more troublesome than larger calibers?

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Author Topic: Shot my 25 today. (Read 9847 times)

northmn

Dancy

northmn

billd

northmn

Daryl

northmn

Daryl

northmn

billd

Dancy

billd

Dancy

billd

northmn

northmn

Daryl

northmn

Levy

northmn

Dancy