Rifle support at the muzzle

[Rosetree]

What is the term used to describe the tool used to support the front of the rifle when a vise is used to support the lock area ?   My little table is so short the front of the rifle needs some support.

[flatsguide]

Bench or table thingy

[P.W.Berkuta]

Front of rifle support

[Blacksmoke]

Flatsgide; Welcome to this forum,  Use a " T " support on a tripod from your local builder's store like Lowes or Home Depoe , The "T " is adjustable for the hight that you need. Hugh Toenjes

[smylee grouch]

I use a 2x10 clamped to the bench with big C clamps and those Quick clamps. Blocks of wood on that with a ": cant bar " on the end of barrel to keep gun level. The 2x10 is about 6 feet long.

[Bob Gerard]

A portable free standing t-stand is called a “dead man” (that’s what we called them at the custom staircase shop I used to work at).

[Daryl]

A portable free standing t-stand is called a “dead man” (that’s what we called them at the custom staircase shop I used to work at).

I've heard that one too, Bob.

[sdilts]

Here's the support I use. It had a roller on it originally. I took the roller off and put a chunk of 2x4 on it. You can adjust it up and down.

[Darkhorse]

I've worked in a couple of Tool&Die shops and a large production machine shop. The item in question was simply called a "Dead rest" in all of them.

[Wingshot]

Here's the support I use. It had a roller on it originally. I took the roller off and put a chunk of 2x4 on it. You can adjust it up and down.

Not intending to hi jack the OP but I have to ask, is that a jig to inlet a swamped barrel? I was dreaming of making a fixture like that for the next one I do. I’d love to hear/see more about it, PM if you like.

[flatsguide]

Believe so wingshot, in fact I think that’s the stock blank below the rails. Just not screwed in yet.
Cheers Richard

[bptactical]

It’s the barrel holder upper thingamajig.

[sdilts]

Sent you a PM Wingshot.

[t.caster]

...or you could use a pair of Pana-Vises. Not as wimpy as people think, I've built at least 70 rifles on these mounted to a walk-around bench. And you can reef on one end without the other end jumping around on you.

[recurve]

[Gemmer]

[john bohan]

Heck I use an old sizzor jack from a car.

[Dphariss]

What is the term used to describe the tool used to support the front of the rifle when a vise is used to support the lock area ?   My little table is so short the front of the rifle needs some support.

Can of worms here. Where the barrel is rested can affect accuracy. You need to buils something that will do what you need to do. Muzzle rests were often permanently attached to the stock on FS guns or attached to the barrel via screws or a clamp in 1/2 stock or underhammer guns. I don’t know how you can clamp a typical ML at the lock area and not damage the stock with the clamping/recoil. Recoil needs to be taken up by the buttplate not the middle of the stock some place. So you need to think this through. If you don’t have one see if you can get a copy of Ned Robert’s “The Muzzleloading Caplock Rifle” either buy or get through inter-library loan. It will explain and show 19th c. machine rests you can get ideas from.
Or

[Rosetree]

...or you could use a pair of Pana-Vises. Not as wimpy as people think, I've built at least 70 rifles on these mounted to a walk-around bench. And you can reef on one end without the other end jumping around on you.

Good idea.   Nice and easy.  Less clutter in the area too.   Thanks !



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[bluenoser]

Throw in an outboard support under the butt and that would be just about ideal.

[Not English]

I've always kept it simple. Just a 2X4 or 1X4 of appropriate length with a V notch cut in one end. I pound in a couple of nails on the narrow sides so I can hook a bungee cord over the barrel to keep it located. It sounds kind of flimsy. but it works well.