Darkhorse
Handloader
- Mar 14, 2014
- 819
- 172
I've finished and installed a peep on my .54 and made some changes based on the prototypes and the first one I made. I set the peep a little higher in order to have more bare front post when aiming. This gives me a better look at the target as the end of the barrel and sight base doesn't block so much of the target. I also increased the hole size a couple of number drill sizes. Instead of the front blade being .100 thick I made this one .090 and kept the sighting surface at an angle forward and left it straight with no radius.
It is more refined when shooting and doesn't blur.
I also tuned the locks on both rifles. Friction is the enemy of the flintlock as it slows down the operation of the lock. Both lockplates were bowed and so they were flattened and polished. I coated the plates with black majic marker and put them back together and worked the lock. Any marks made by the lock parts were highly polished out until no marks were made on the plate at all. Both frizzens had some wobble and were rubbing the barrel making them difficult to open. I fixed both of them. The .54 has a single trigger and the lock work actually decreased the pull weight by half. That's about as slick as I can make a lock work.
After next hunting season this stock will get a complete makeover. There is some bad architecture I want to fix, and add some incised lines. The metal really needs the browning redone but I've been carrying this rifle for 20 years and it's all honest patina. If I redo the finish now I'll never get the patina back so I'm still considering.
I think she's ready for hunting season.
It is more refined when shooting and doesn't blur.
I also tuned the locks on both rifles. Friction is the enemy of the flintlock as it slows down the operation of the lock. Both lockplates were bowed and so they were flattened and polished. I coated the plates with black majic marker and put them back together and worked the lock. Any marks made by the lock parts were highly polished out until no marks were made on the plate at all. Both frizzens had some wobble and were rubbing the barrel making them difficult to open. I fixed both of them. The .54 has a single trigger and the lock work actually decreased the pull weight by half. That's about as slick as I can make a lock work.
After next hunting season this stock will get a complete makeover. There is some bad architecture I want to fix, and add some incised lines. The metal really needs the browning redone but I've been carrying this rifle for 20 years and it's all honest patina. If I redo the finish now I'll never get the patina back so I'm still considering.
I think she's ready for hunting season.
