New ML rifles, sharing and maybe gloating too
Jun 18, 2022 16:57:15 GMT -7
shootist---Gary likes this
Post by Bullshop on Jun 18, 2022 16:57:15 GMT -7
My friends I want to share my very good fortune in acquiring not one but two new to me unique muzzle loading rifles. Most of you will likely remember that a few years ago I acquired a beautiful 451 Gibbs rifle made by the David Pedersolli company. The rifle was an older one but in like new condition and for me that was a problem Most of you also know that I am into long range precision shooting from any era and the Pedersolli rifle is an exact copy of the of the 451 Rigby rifles used by the Irish team at the Creedmoor matches. The rifle was capable but I was afraid to use it because of the condition and value.
Well recently I decided to look for a replacement that I would not be afraid to use and I found one. Once I found its replacement I put the 451 Gibbs up for sale and it sold right away for a respectable price. Its replacement turned out to be more gun than I realized I was buying. It is a hand made one off copy of the Billinghurst under hammer bench rest target rifle . It is a massive gun with a heavy 36" barrel not counting the false muzzle bullet starter. It has a windage adjustable front sight and a vernier long range tang sight and get this every part is hand made. I am not sure about the barrel but from the look of the rest of the rifle I wouldn't doubt it. Just like the 451 Gibbs it too is a 451 caliber with a 1/18" twist.
I have only had one shooting session with it but that was enough to convince me that the rifle is match worthy. It took a long time with the Gibbs rifle to find what it wanted to shoot but this rifle gave the goods practically without trying. I have ordered a couple molds specifically for this rifle for long range shooting partly because I want to see what this rifle will do at 1000 yards and beyond. I am working on replacing the Billy Dixon buffalo target that was stolen and ended our annual Billy Dixon 1500 yard shoot. This rifle and custom molds should make an old long range guy happy.
OK that was one of them and since all that only spent half of what I sold the Gibbs rifle for and since Montana now officially has a designated muzzle loader hunting season I set about to find a serious hunting rifle worthy of perusing elk and I also in the back of my mind hoped it would be something that was not just the ordinary TC or the like but also something unique. Well my friends I believe I have found exactly that.
This rifle is also completely hand made from the Damascus barrel and lock plate right down to the hand made lock and set triggers. This antique 54 caliber heavy rifle is about as gorgeous a rifle as I have ever seen. I know all colonial rifles were twist steel barrels but those were pretty much all flint lock but I have never seen a percussion rifle with a twist steel barrel. The lock plate is stamped Allen & Tittle and the barrel is stamped New Orleans. There were a lot of guns coming out of St. Lewis and New Orleans during the buffalo hunt and this may well be one of those. The strange thing is the hand forged twist steel barrel as most gun makers of that time were ordering pre made rolled steel and drilled blanks from Remington. Its hard to say but it is as unique as I had hoped for.
When buying an antique ML rifle with the intent to shoot sight unseen there is always the gamble that it is not quite up to the task but on this one I won the gamble and it is sound in every way and judging again from a single shooting session shoots as good as anyone could hope for. So far the best shooting with that rifle was with 100gn FFG and a patched .533" ball. To say I am thrilled with both these new to me rifle is a gross understatement where the truth is closer to peeing my pants with joy.
I know I am only teasing without pictures but since I am incapable of providing that on my own and since I am to say the least excited I will defer that to if requested.
Wanna hear the kicker to this as if one was needed? I still have money left over from selling the Gibbs rifle after buying these. I dont know what to say accept thank you Lord!
Well recently I decided to look for a replacement that I would not be afraid to use and I found one. Once I found its replacement I put the 451 Gibbs up for sale and it sold right away for a respectable price. Its replacement turned out to be more gun than I realized I was buying. It is a hand made one off copy of the Billinghurst under hammer bench rest target rifle . It is a massive gun with a heavy 36" barrel not counting the false muzzle bullet starter. It has a windage adjustable front sight and a vernier long range tang sight and get this every part is hand made. I am not sure about the barrel but from the look of the rest of the rifle I wouldn't doubt it. Just like the 451 Gibbs it too is a 451 caliber with a 1/18" twist.
I have only had one shooting session with it but that was enough to convince me that the rifle is match worthy. It took a long time with the Gibbs rifle to find what it wanted to shoot but this rifle gave the goods practically without trying. I have ordered a couple molds specifically for this rifle for long range shooting partly because I want to see what this rifle will do at 1000 yards and beyond. I am working on replacing the Billy Dixon buffalo target that was stolen and ended our annual Billy Dixon 1500 yard shoot. This rifle and custom molds should make an old long range guy happy.
OK that was one of them and since all that only spent half of what I sold the Gibbs rifle for and since Montana now officially has a designated muzzle loader hunting season I set about to find a serious hunting rifle worthy of perusing elk and I also in the back of my mind hoped it would be something that was not just the ordinary TC or the like but also something unique. Well my friends I believe I have found exactly that.
This rifle is also completely hand made from the Damascus barrel and lock plate right down to the hand made lock and set triggers. This antique 54 caliber heavy rifle is about as gorgeous a rifle as I have ever seen. I know all colonial rifles were twist steel barrels but those were pretty much all flint lock but I have never seen a percussion rifle with a twist steel barrel. The lock plate is stamped Allen & Tittle and the barrel is stamped New Orleans. There were a lot of guns coming out of St. Lewis and New Orleans during the buffalo hunt and this may well be one of those. The strange thing is the hand forged twist steel barrel as most gun makers of that time were ordering pre made rolled steel and drilled blanks from Remington. Its hard to say but it is as unique as I had hoped for.
When buying an antique ML rifle with the intent to shoot sight unseen there is always the gamble that it is not quite up to the task but on this one I won the gamble and it is sound in every way and judging again from a single shooting session shoots as good as anyone could hope for. So far the best shooting with that rifle was with 100gn FFG and a patched .533" ball. To say I am thrilled with both these new to me rifle is a gross understatement where the truth is closer to peeing my pants with joy.
I know I am only teasing without pictures but since I am incapable of providing that on my own and since I am to say the least excited I will defer that to if requested.
Wanna hear the kicker to this as if one was needed? I still have money left over from selling the Gibbs rifle after buying these. I dont know what to say accept thank you Lord!
