Below are the first 4 shots ever taken by this brand new Custom 50 Caliber Pennsylvania Lancaster Flintlock Rifle (CIRCA 1775) that I have invested around 100 hours to build based on a Jim Chamber’s Flintlocks Custom package of top end parts.
CHECK IT OUT!!!
The wood is Tiger Maple and was roughed in as I received it. The barrel is a 50 caliber Swamp Barrel (with rifling) where it it thicker on each end and slender in the middle. And the leather sheath I crafted for it.
A steel custom lock has a very well made mechanism and hammer below.
My first attempt is at this is highly successful with lots of fits and starts along this journey back in time during the Revolutionary war where Jacob Dickert a German Immigrant Gun-maker built them for the Continental Army.
My rifle has no stain on the Tiger Maple wood to grace it at this time but I asked myself, CAN IT SHOOT? It sports a 44 inch barrel and stands almost 5 feet tall.
I tested it using FFG black Powder at 80 grains at 25 yards to see if it will even hit paper at the first shot. So here goes…Click on the video.
Honestly, this is my first ever Flintlock Rifle build and you can read my other articles this past June on this Rifle.
Below some of the scroll work I carved just as Jacob Dickert did in 1775. Wait till I stain it!
And the brass patchbox…that needs to be set a bit deeper and has yet to be engraved by me as well. More to see on this patchbox in coming weeks.
I am very pleased with Jim’s Flintlock Product but even more pleased with my success in building an accurate and most beautiful Rifle indeed. In the coming weeks I will stain it and add some additional brass inlay. My 6th great grandfather and many of my Hale Cousins were soldiers in the American Revolution as I and my two sons are society members of The Sons of the American Revolution.
You know, more and more families are reading the Declaration of Independence on this day in honor of our Independence from tyranny and subjugation by a British King in 1776. I am very proud of the changes made by President Donald Trump thus far.
As I read the reasons for the Declaration aloud it became clear to me that America, “We the People” voted in 2016 to stop the oppression and subjugation by the likes of Barrack Obama and those of a would be Hillary Clinton who wanted to force an all powerful government down our throats as if they knew best.
I’m back to provide an update on the most recent 3×600 yard F-Open Match at Nashua Fish and Game. This year I am doing a significant amount of testing, which doesn’t allow for getting truly comfortable with my set up, never the less, it was exciting.
To preface the discussion on results, I need to explain the challenges with the F-Open conversion to the Creedmoor barrel. In preparation for the match and some practice time, I changed out the barrel in my Savage 10 action to the Shilen 28″ stainless match 6.5 Creedmoor bull barrel.
Following the barrel swap, I installed the barreled action to my aluminum JPRifles AMCS chassis. I was going to shooting in F-Class, Open, with the Nosler 140 gr 6.5mm/.264 Reduced Drag Factor ™ (RDF) bullets and due to the F-Class, open rules I could have a much heavier gun (22 lbs max). That’s why I decided to move back to the heavier aluminum chassis. The only downside was that when the rifle was mounted in the rest, I couldn’t use a rear bag that was a standard height. I had to rig up a rear bag that was tall enough to be able to level the gun. The PRS stock toe, is not as low as a true F-Open competition stock, but this isn’t a “built for competition” rig. This is fun on a budget while learning to read the wind 🙂
I tuned my 6.5 loads easily with the Nosler RDF’s we are testing, getting 1/4 to 1/2″ groups while humming along comfortably at 2800 fps with 41.7gr of H4350.
Very impressive, those RDF’s. From my first experience with new gear, I was prepared with what to expect this time. I was stayed focused and was pleasantly surprised, as the day went on I got better and better, despite the make shift gear.
As the day was not hot, I was able to keep the Leupold Gold Ring 7-42X55mm scope we are testing (seen above) dialed all the way to 42x and it was awesome to see the bull much more clearly and to use the target rings to aim for wind calls.
Here are my scores below for my first time in F-Open with new gear.
Match 1: 185-4
Match 2: 192-6
Match 3: 196-8
Final total: 573-18
The gun and Nosler 140 RDF’s were clearly shooting better than I in the beginning, but as I got the hang of the “free recoil” game, it all started to fall into place. Free recoil is allowing the rifle to track rearward under recoil with some space in between you and the buttstock, very much like regular benchrest shooting. I like F-Open, but for now, it’s just fun for me and a way to continue to learn the ways of the wind. I think the only way to become more competitive in this class, you need first get better at wind reading and perhaps get a purpose built rifle/stock combination that was meant to be used in a rest. I am more than happy with how this turned out. I am super pleased with how the Nosler RDF’s were surprisingly easy to tune and shoot accurately! I will be shooting this combination again July 8/9.
This is the third article I have penned. I do have a few photos to share today on the stock end of this rifle. I have carved one side with a Lancaster school Jacob Dickert C Scroll) and inlaid a pre-cut brass Dickert patchbox on the other side. The barrel and lock should be ready to go on soon as I am having some work done on the lock to make it fit correctly. It is all coming together at about 90 hours of work.
One of the things that I learned of the German Pennsylvania gunsmiths is that they made their own steel screws from scratch. Hence the steel screws used here on this Jacob Dickert Patchbox I inlaid into the tiger maple. If you recall, just the basic custom kit cost me around $1200. Add 120 hours labor to it and you have an heirloom rifle you can hunt with and show off.
Below is the complete build, stain and engrave below. It shot a 6 inch groups at 150 yards with patch and round ball and 90g FFG on its first try. Click on the words below.
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I had an interesting match last Sunday (28-May 2017). In my previous article here I announced the intent to test some new gear in a match. I learned a great deal about changing gear before a match, but the biggest takeaway is: If you change gear and don’t practice with that new gear at competition distance, you should be prepared to have a few accuracy surprises that happen once you start punching holes in paper.
First Impressions: Leupold Gold Ring VX-6 7-42x56mm Competition scope with CDS
First things first, the glass is just gorgeous to look through. The morning of the match I had it dialed up, but as the day went on and the mirage started to intensify I had to back off a bit to 32X. I also realized that I have some additional adjustments that are necessary for eye relief when in the prone position.
Learning about the impact of new gear: Leupold graciously supplied rings for our testing that would mount to any rifle for us to test as long as it had a picatinny rail. The particular issue with my rifle is that I did not have a high enough comb nor adjustable comb to accommodate the ring height. I knew this going into the match but honestly didn’t think that it would matter that much, but it definitely did. The difference or variability in cheek pressure on the comb had a huge impact elevation control and lead to uncomfortable body/head positions and a poor score.
First Impressions: Mystic Precision MPOD Bipod
While zeroing the rifle the bipod was like a rock, on the line at distance, however, my “squeeze bag” style rear rifle rest was not cutting it. In order for the bags to work effectively you need to apply consistent downward force with your cheek and squeeze the back to it to remain stable. If you can’t apply consistent pressure with your cheek, then having a repeatable position is difficult, and my score’s definitely reflected that; my worst for the day was below along with my typical score from last year.
Score last year with original set up.
Score with different set-up (Different SCOPE/BIPod).
I will note that at the time of the string of fire, a shot was marked as a miss, but following my string and talking to Art Lamb, who was scoring for me, he informed me that one of my rounds was subsonic at 600 yards and he later identified the impact in the white portion of the target, so not a miss, but perhaps a 5 or 6. Not too happy about that; I did notice that my barrel was getting a bit hot from the quick string of fire, so I don’t know what happened here. My next purchase is a good old kitchen timer to make sure I don’t go too fast and heat the barrel up too much.
On a humorous dad note, my wife called me and informed me that my mother in-law was at our house with the kids needing to put my youngest son down for a nap. The only problem was that I locked all the doors and she did not have the key. Rather than breaking into a fit of twitches after my horrible match, I calmly let it roll off my shoulders and trekked 4 miles down the road and let her back in. It’s good to live close to the range. Looking back and doing some diagnostics on the poor match, I realized that I should have changed bags over to one of my fixed rear sand bags with the bipod. The toe of my stock is angled so that elevation corrections can be as simple as moving the bag fore or aft of the buttstock. We always learn. I’ll be better acclimated to the new gear next time. Next up; a barrel swap will take place to the new Shilen 6.5 Creedmoor Match Barrel and we’ll do some F-Open work with a front rest for a match on 17-June. I love the Savage Barrel Nut!! It’s so easy to swap barrels!
What a shooting machine! We are very excited! Jason will shoot a July Match with it and the Leupold VX-6 7-42 55mm scope. Wow! Pictures soon! We hope to shoot Nosler RDF’s.
Years back I needed a versatile reloadable cartridge for all game, at all distances and all conditions for that someday hunt for brown bear, or a cape buffalo or bison yet can hunt deer too. If you are not and have not dreamed of a brown bear hunt then this article is not for you.
If you have, then I would consider the .375 Ruger to be such a reloadable cartridge in a Ruger M77 Hawkeye rifle made here in New Hampshire. The new African model comes with a removable muzzle brake. Check it out.
It is a hunters gun with a soft less reflective finish that will not spook game. I have killed moose and bison as well as red stag with this cartridge and the African model rifle.
It shoots 1/2 inch groups at full power and 1 inch groups with most all other bullets down to 220 grain and loading’s for deer. With a Pachmayr Recoil pad I can shoot it in my t-shirt while standing as it cuts felt recoil in half. A full power load with 260 grain Nosler AccuBond bullets out of the barrel at 2615 fps produces almost 4000 ft-lbs at the Muzzle and 2500 ft-lbs for Moose at 275 yards at a velocity of 2100 fps for perfect mushrooming. For an elk it can reach 450 yards with 1800 ft-lbs at the bullets mushroom design speed. It is a CXP4 cartridge with CXP2 and 3 capability if handloaded.
If you are traveling far, check that the local shop’s where you hunt have 375 Ruger rounds in case you loose your baggage. It is the main reason for years that hunters used the 375 H&H because it was like dirt, it was everywhere. But the 375 Ruger has made some dents in that theory.
If I was hunting a really large Wild Boar up close, I would use the .375 Ruger as they have been known to charge when wounded and it is very difficult to take away its credit card with those 5 inch tusks sticking out of its mouth.
First, a reminder for this Memorial Day weekend, which is likely to be full of barbecues, parades and perhaps a frosty beverage: Never forget! Just a reminder dad, I will never forget.
Image courtesy of Associated Press
My kids and I are looking forward to the parade this Memorial Day weekend to honor our soldiers, but it means so much more than that. I did not serve, but my father along with the rest of my family, has a rich history of putting on the uniform for this country since the American Revolution. I take these holidays seriously, as that was how I was raised. With my kids, I do my best to explain the meaning of remembering those that, when their country called on them, ran towards harm instead of away from it. Some of whom made the ultimate sacrifice. It’s because of them that I get to punch holes in paper for fun and nothing is headed back in my direction. Thank you, thank you, thank you dad and those who have served this country.
Mystic Precision MPOD Bipod
Load testing will continue with the Nosler bullets, but in the mean time, I have a match coming up this weekend and will be using my current match load of the Sierra 175 TMK’s which I have to use up. I started long range rifle competitions using my standard Harris S 6-9″ Bipod. It worked well to start out, but one of the downsides to using this basic bipod was that you couldn’t track your shots and the bipod would often sink into the position (dirt/grass/sand) which lead to fighting elevation changes in the middle of a string of fire.
I decided that it was time for an upgrade for future competitions.
After a lot of research on F-Class bipods, I settled on an economical lightweight design from Mystic Precision.
It’s a Canadian company, but the bipods are actually manufactured right here in the USA, at Evolution Gun Works in Quakertown, PA. I have my first match this weekend. I will report back on what the differences are with this bi-pod.
From Mystic Precision’s website:
MPOD Design: Make a super light bipod with the stability and tracking of a pedestal rest
A winning design: Winner of the 2013 Individual FTR World Championship used the MPOD. Multiple NRA records in Team and Individual set. Several Members of the US National FTR team currently shooting with the MPOD
Improved geometry to reduce the effects of torque during recoil for consistent tracking and follow through despite the chambering. Has been successfully used on larger caliber boomers including the 50BMG
Easy to operate with large range of movements to account for varied terrain. The lowest height is 4 1/2 inches suitable for bench work and raised berms when shooting prone. At full elevation, you have 7 3/4 inches to the mounting lug. This range is wider then the Harris 6-9 bipod.
Cant feature is now added for quick leveling on uneven ground. And the Cant will not shift during recoil as is common with most other bipods.
Easy to install and remove – Solid with great repeatability and accuracy potential.
Stability increasing with increased pod height which is opposite to a number of designs.
Keep finished weight as low as possible 12.8ozs installed, yet strong enough to support heavy rifles and big boomers. Easily supported rifles weighing 50lbs.
I’ve also mounted and plumb leveled the Leupold Gold Ring VX-6 7-42 X 56mm scope with 34mm tube for it’s first test.
https://youtu.be/t9ocquk0m7Y
I am excited to have the target fill up more of my scope at the higher magnifications.
I’m used to no higher than 25X magnification and First Focal Plane reticles that obscure the target more than necessary, so this should be a real treat.
Having that much magnification can be a real benefit if mirage isn’t too bad. Local range conditions for the match look good, mid 60’s and 2 mph winds from the south. We’ll see if that holds; field conditions could be completely different. I’m going to re-zero and confirm my come-ups for dialing to 600 yds the morning of the match.
I will post my scores for this weekend’s match, share a few thoughts, and post a few photo’s of the bi-pod and scope mounted at the range.
The Savage® M10 Ashbury Precision Rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor is said to be a great starter long range Competition Rifle with low recoil. It is part of Savages Law Enforcement series. We will put it through its paces. What is clear hear at the get-go is that the Magpul CTR® stock appears too low when a scope is mounted. We recommend adding a cheek rest and we are seeking a Magpul PRS 25 M110 or similar cheek rest stock to add to it ($240.00) or the simple Magpul CTR® MOE® Riser for 20 dollars on line. The Ashbury is also offered in .308 Winchester. Below is a Savage Video on the Accutrigger™
