Many of you know that I had been looking for an 1863 military rifle for a mule deer hunt in Colo., well I've got one now. Matter of fact, I had a carbine spotted but the guy that had it looks like he has another buyer.
Anyway, this is a Big Timber rifle, Wolf manufacture. It had a Lyman 17A front sight and a Riflesmith transition type tang. I pulled them both. The only front I had handy with a 3/8ths dovetail was a white bead monstrosity, I'll put on a copper blade shortly. The rear barrel sight is the standard Lawrence pattern.
Well, here is what it will do at 100yds.
http://www.amerinemechanical.com/huntin ... ,%20G1.JPG
http://www.amerinemechanical.com/huntin ... ,%20G2.JPG
http://www.amerinemechanical.com/huntin ... ,%20G1.JPG
The front bead completely covers the green bull on these targets, so I was using a six o'clock hold to get a decent sight picture. I was also shooting off a good bagged benchrest. The load was all blackpowder, but is not politically correct. It is also not for the faint of heart. I won't post it on an open forum but for those interested I will give it to you by email, I just won't take responsibility for anyone else's rifle.
The first group includes the first shot out of a cold clean barrel and all three groups were fired in a row. Nine shots straight. I was banging the rear sight left and right in between groups to get it hitting in the center.
I also did the o-ring conversion on my breech block pressure plate. I did mine by hand and it seems to be functioning perfectly. The one problem I am having is an occasional delay fire. The flash channel is clean, but ignition is not as consistent as a good percussion Hawken. If anyone has any insight, I would appreciate it.
I don't know about you guys, but I thought this was stunning performance out of one of these 1863's. I couldn't be happier.
Take care,
J
1863 Military Rifle Report
- Josh A.
- Posts: 922
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- Location: Texas, by God!
1863 Military Rifle Report
No words of mine can hope to convey to you the ringing joy and hope embodied in that spontaneous yell: “The Americans are coming; at last they are coming!”
I hadn’t the heart to disillusion them.
John "Pondoro" Taylor
Africa 1955
I hadn’t the heart to disillusion them.
John "Pondoro" Taylor
Africa 1955
-
- Posts: 118
- Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2003 7:22 am
- Location: Lebanon, Indian Nations, OK
-
- Posts: 118
- Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2003 7:22 am
- Location: Lebanon, Indian Nations, OK
- Josh A.
- Posts: 922
- Joined: Tue Feb 04, 2003 7:30 pm
- Location: Texas, by God!
1863
Bw:
These particular groups were shot by seating from the breech. I am going to start experimenting with muzzle loading and I have a modification in mind to make the rifle ML only for the excursion to Colo. I am not particularly worried about the Colo. regs. It actually states "must be loaded from the muzzle during muzzle loading season." The modification will disable the lever, so I feel pretty safe especially considering the number of hunters out there with state of the art inlines.
I drilled out the nipple hole this evening, I'll give it a try and report back.
Thanks,
J
These particular groups were shot by seating from the breech. I am going to start experimenting with muzzle loading and I have a modification in mind to make the rifle ML only for the excursion to Colo. I am not particularly worried about the Colo. regs. It actually states "must be loaded from the muzzle during muzzle loading season." The modification will disable the lever, so I feel pretty safe especially considering the number of hunters out there with state of the art inlines.
I drilled out the nipple hole this evening, I'll give it a try and report back.
Thanks,
J
No words of mine can hope to convey to you the ringing joy and hope embodied in that spontaneous yell: “The Americans are coming; at last they are coming!”
I hadn’t the heart to disillusion them.
John "Pondoro" Taylor
Africa 1955
I hadn’t the heart to disillusion them.
John "Pondoro" Taylor
Africa 1955
-
- Posts: 118
- Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2003 7:22 am
- Location: Lebanon, Indian Nations, OK
-
- Posts: 361
- Joined: Tue Jan 20, 2004 9:55 pm
- Location: Boise Id
Josh,
Good shooting. I would be interested in your load information, anything '63 intrigues me.
You guys and your "O" Rings, never seen a need for this, but if you need it I suppose you know it.
My carbine ignites straight Pyrodex paper cartridges well, from the talk I hear I'd better trust that the nipple lasts forever and be glad the flash channel is as it is.
Best, Gregg
Good shooting. I would be interested in your load information, anything '63 intrigues me.
You guys and your "O" Rings, never seen a need for this, but if you need it I suppose you know it.
My carbine ignites straight Pyrodex paper cartridges well, from the talk I hear I'd better trust that the nipple lasts forever and be glad the flash channel is as it is.
Best, Gregg
- Ken Hartlein
- Posts: 1662
- Joined: Tue Nov 05, 2002 12:04 am
- Location: Floresville, TX
- Josh A.
- Posts: 922
- Joined: Tue Feb 04, 2003 7:30 pm
- Location: Texas, by God!
1863
Ken, the season is the 11-19th of Sept. I'll probably head up there a couple of days early.
I'll e-mail the load to however wants it, but I won't post it on an open forum.
Take care,
J
I'll e-mail the load to however wants it, but I won't post it on an open forum.
Take care,
J
No words of mine can hope to convey to you the ringing joy and hope embodied in that spontaneous yell: “The Americans are coming; at last they are coming!”
I hadn’t the heart to disillusion them.
John "Pondoro" Taylor
Africa 1955
I hadn’t the heart to disillusion them.
John "Pondoro" Taylor
Africa 1955