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View Full Version : Lewis and Clark Expedition .49 caliber rifle...



zampilot
04-20-2009, 08:43 PM
Anyone know what available mould would be used for that one ?
Round Ball + patch =.49 caliber, so a .47+.010 ticking?

docone31
04-20-2009, 09:15 PM
Is it a Contract Rifle, or Charleville?
Wow. A piece of history.
I would bet you could cast a .490, and size it down to .47. I size my .457s for my Walker to .451 get the larger sidewall on loading. Tough to center in the cylinder, but good shooting.

mooman76
04-20-2009, 10:26 PM
a .480 ball should work or maybe even a .485 depending on how tight it is. A .490 or .495 works in a .50. Like docone31 said you could size a 490 to .480 or .470, whatever you want.

zampilot
04-21-2009, 05:41 AM
Thanks guys, it's a Don Stith 80% or so, I get to do the finishing work on all the parts. He can get a .49 barrel but has a .54 in stock.

northmn
04-21-2009, 07:04 AM
General formula. You need to find the bore diameter. that is land to land and go ..05 less and then try .015 to .020 patching, depending on rifling depth. I would have no idea what the specs are for a 49 as some makers vary. I have a 25 barrel that is really a 26 as it will take a #3 buckshot. Made that way to permit a 1/4 ramrod. The best bet would be to ask Don Stith what it takes.

Northmn