This project started in January when I decided which CO elk tag to apply for and it happened to be a muzzy season tag. I had the points and creep wasn't an issue, so I started to plan the build. I have several muzzleloaders, and initially thought that I would use a .54 Cal Lyman Trade Rifle. It's a great shooter, but I've shot a lot of game with it. Time for something different.
My criteria were to go with a traditional percussion rifle in .50 or .54 cal. A twist on that was that it needed to shoot any bullet I chose, and I wanted good ignition with any powder; black, or all substitutes. That last bit can be problematic with anything that isn't direct ignition to the powder charge like an inline. The 90 degree bend in a sidelock causes issues with ignition.
That left me, at least in my mind, with two designs to choose from. A mule ear or side slapper lock or an underhammer lock. The mule ear locks are good, but after looking at it, they seem prone to snagging on random vegetation and clothing when in the half cock position. The hammer sticks out a ways and they need a shroud of leather, IMO. They also provide no weather protection to the cap without that lock cover.
Underhammer locks are tucked up neatly underneath and make a simple and sleek arrangement. The cap is protected, and the hammer is as well. The underhammer has several iterations dating well back into the 1800's.
In both of these designs the blast from the cap has a direct line to the powder charge with no 90 degree turn to make like on a standard sidelock.
After making that decision, I gathered materials and a barrel. The things on this that I didn't make from scratch are the barrel, ramrod, and sights. I made the rest of the parts, including the screws, in my shop and heat treated them as required. I blended a few designs to make this rifle and anyone that is familiar with the old Numrich Hopkins and Allen will see a resemblance, but it has more in common with the Billinghurst lock. The trigger guard acts as the mainspring for the hammer.
So, the specs are a repurposed TC Omega barrel. It was cheap, in good shape, and has the right twist for conicals. Musket cap ignition for the extra horsepower. Tru-Glo ghost ring sights. Quilted maple stock. German silver sandcast buttplate. Lock and all other parts made of appropriate steel and rust blued.
Honestly, it's a simple design and anyone with a drill press, torch and some files could make it. Fun project that should prove to be a fun hunting arms for many years to come.
No idea how it shoots yet. I'll update the post when I get it out.
Jeremy
My criteria were to go with a traditional percussion rifle in .50 or .54 cal. A twist on that was that it needed to shoot any bullet I chose, and I wanted good ignition with any powder; black, or all substitutes. That last bit can be problematic with anything that isn't direct ignition to the powder charge like an inline. The 90 degree bend in a sidelock causes issues with ignition.
That left me, at least in my mind, with two designs to choose from. A mule ear or side slapper lock or an underhammer lock. The mule ear locks are good, but after looking at it, they seem prone to snagging on random vegetation and clothing when in the half cock position. The hammer sticks out a ways and they need a shroud of leather, IMO. They also provide no weather protection to the cap without that lock cover.
Underhammer locks are tucked up neatly underneath and make a simple and sleek arrangement. The cap is protected, and the hammer is as well. The underhammer has several iterations dating well back into the 1800's.
In both of these designs the blast from the cap has a direct line to the powder charge with no 90 degree turn to make like on a standard sidelock.
After making that decision, I gathered materials and a barrel. The things on this that I didn't make from scratch are the barrel, ramrod, and sights. I made the rest of the parts, including the screws, in my shop and heat treated them as required. I blended a few designs to make this rifle and anyone that is familiar with the old Numrich Hopkins and Allen will see a resemblance, but it has more in common with the Billinghurst lock. The trigger guard acts as the mainspring for the hammer.
So, the specs are a repurposed TC Omega barrel. It was cheap, in good shape, and has the right twist for conicals. Musket cap ignition for the extra horsepower. Tru-Glo ghost ring sights. Quilted maple stock. German silver sandcast buttplate. Lock and all other parts made of appropriate steel and rust blued.
Honestly, it's a simple design and anyone with a drill press, torch and some files could make it. Fun project that should prove to be a fun hunting arms for many years to come.
No idea how it shoots yet. I'll update the post when I get it out.
Jeremy
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