.50 Cal. Underhammer Build In Progress.

[Razor62]

Some of you may have been following this build in the "Inline" section under the subject line " Source for Barrel Blanks with fast ROT? ".
That thread had evolved into a chronicle of the build as it was progressing so I thought that it would be prudent to move the discussion here from this point on.
Starting with the objective:
I wanted to build a semi traditional muzzleloader which would incorporate some of the more desirable features of modern smoke poles. Specifically I was looking for a fast ROT for use with modern projectiles as well as attaching a scope to help extract the accuracy that I'm hoping to obtain and a 21st century stock design to place my eye inline with that scope.

I settled on an Allen Foundry & Manufacturing underhammer action for the heart of the rifle and with the help of the good folks here and elsewhere I found the barrel that I needed, a .50 cal. 13/16" tapered to 7/8" with a ROT of 1:28" . Perfect! The stock will be of English Walnut.

Well Here Goes.....

The Action:

The Stock Wood:

The Barrel & Action Assembled With Furniture:

Rough Blank Sawn Out:

Fitting the Receiver to the Buttstock:

Mounting Bolt Hole Drilled and Action Attached. This was the part I was dreading. Everything went pretty smooth:

Beginning the Shaping of the grip section:

That's as far as I've gotten so far. I'll post up again as progress resumes.
Stay Tuned!

 

[oldfox]

Very nice work! Being and old stock maker, I can appreciate the work that goes into a job like the one you are undertaking! I look forward to to your work progress... :yeah:

 

[03mossy]

Thanks for letting us tag along on this journey. It will be fun to watch.

 

[JStanley]

Thanks for letting us tag along on this journey. It will be fun to watch.

X2 !

How did you ensure the barrel flats ended up square with the receiver upon installation?

 

[Razor62]

Very Simple. I instructed Joe at The Gun Works Muzzleloader Emporium to install the barrel and nipple prior to shipment. I don't have access to the tools that he's got.
I did it once on a .58 cal. boxlock build that I did a few years ago with nothing more than hand files and it was a chore. To make matters worse on that rifle the sight dovetials were already cut when I purchased the barrel and so I had to ensure that the proper flat came to TDC as the barrel bottomed out against the receiver. It's a slow and tedious task but if one takes their time it can be done. See pic of that completed rifle below:

 

[JStanley]

Thanks!

 

[Dwayne]

Thank you so very much for allowing us (especially me) to witness a pro in action!

 

[Razor62]

Thank YOU Dwayne but I must confess that I'm hardly a pro. Sure I've got a little experience but a true pro would put my skills to shame. I'm just a novice having a little fun and sharing the love.

 

[mcp]

Looking good!

 

[Razor62]

Got a little more done on the buttstock yesterday. Inletted my buttplate and some more rough shaping. She's starting to look like a rifle but there's lots more wood to be removed and that buttplate needs a little more work. Those tool marks from roughing out the shape are ugly and thankfully temporary. From here on in I've gotta' go slow and use caution.


Cut the stock to my 13.75" length of pull and shotgun style buttplate inlet:

Stock is starting to shape up:

I think that I'll drill and tap for my scope before I proceed to final height & thickness on the cheek piece. With the scope installed I'll be able to bring my eye into perfect alignment by adjusting the position of the cheek rest.
Testing the fit for my length of pull was inspiring. She comes up to shoulder lightning fast and my line of sight is as close as I can hope for at this stage of the game.

 

[oldfox]

Nice work! A time consuming process, but will be worth it when finished!!

 

[Dwayne]

You just ruined it. . . .

You made it a left handed model. . . <Very>

Nice...really nice.

 

[Razor62]

Thanks Guys!....Got some more shaping done last night. Most of those unsightly rasp and file marks are gone. Now we can see the grain of my $35.00 piece of English walnut. Still lots to do but she's coming along.

 

[mcp]

You just ruined it. . . .

You made it a left handed model. . . <Very>

Nice...really nice.

That's what I was thinking

Nice work, looking great. I wish I was talented enough to do something like that. Will enjoy following along on this. Thanks for posting it.

Oh, and your other gun looks amazing!

 

[oldfox]

Lookin' good! Are you planning on getting some case colors on the receiver after the stock work? IMHO, that would look some nice!

 

[oldfox]

Lookin' good! Are you planning on getting some case colors on the receiver after the stock work? IMHO, that would look some nice!

 

[oldfox]

Lookin' good! Are you planning on getting some case colors on the receiver after the stock work? IMHO, that would look some nice!

 

[Razor62]

Thanks MCP!

Oldfox, thanks to you as well. You're right, color case hardening would suit this receiver perfectly. I was originally planning on sending the action out to have it color case hardened but I quickly changed my mind when I got the price. I simply can't justify the added cost. Best price that I could find was around $250.00 . I would love to do it myself and I've gone as far as researching the entire process. I'd need a heat treating furnace or at least an enclosed forge and allot of trial and error before I could get reliable colors. Maybe someday...

Instead I'm planning to rust blue all of the major components. I am set up for hot bluing but I want something different for this gun. I've rust blued lots of double barrels in the past and in my opinion it's an acceptable alternative to color case and it still makes for an elegant looking finish. I do reserve the right to change my mind and who knows I might just splurge on the color case hardening but then It wouldn't be my work. I'm not so sure that I want to share the credit with someone else when asked who did the finish work. I suppose that could be construed as conceeded

 

[Dwayne]

Razoer,

I think i am more excited, and enjoying this build along than you! <smile>

You are getting my attention. . .I never in my life have ever thought about building a gun. .. but you are spurring my interests quite heavily.

Dwayne

 

[Underclocked]

Rifle is really starting to look good. With that high comb, I wonder if you are thinking scope?

The last couple of pics it doesn't look so high, so I suppose it's irons?