My Muzzle Loader Assembly Will Start

[oldracer]

Well the kit for the Lehigh muzzloader arrived a couple of hours ago. Dammmm, I forgot what Christmas felt like I guess as I couldn't wait to open it! The stock looks really nice and the grain shows up well. The barrel looks great and the round bottom rifling is a bit unusual but as noted by the company owner and others should work really great. I did have them cut the dovetail slots and also mount the breech plug but I do have to drill and tap the flash hole which should not be too bad. There will be some inlet to do for the barrel but not a lot and the lock is about 90% inlet. Here's a couple of picts and notice how well the back of the lock looks as its machining. http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_141454f5974c41e3e8.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=4335)http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_141454f5974d8a7a0c.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=4336)

[tacklebury]

Wood looks great from here not even being stained yet. ;)

[DIRT Farmer]

It looks good so far, just don't get in a hurry.

[waksupi]

Where do you put the flint? ;o)

[Boerrancher]

Where do you put the flint? ;o)

I was wondering the same thing. I do love the looks of the wood. I can't wait to see what that wood will look like once it is finished. As has already been advised, take your time. It looks to me like you have the makings of a beautiful gun there. Keep the pictures coming as you progress.

Best wishes,

Joe

[405]

Agree with others- looks like very nice wood!
Can't tell how much if any of the butt plate is fitted but that will be one of the first things to do. Very tedious so go slow and check often. Constantly check as you go for vertical alignment of the plate to the centerline of the butt. Dittos for top of the plate staying parallel to the top of the stock- small differences in these alignments can be corrected with a file, with the plate in place, after it's fully fitted (inletted). The other issue to pay very close attention to would be the drum placement. Check, re-check and check again before drilling the pilot for the tap. Use the correct # drill for the tap and the rest of drum mounting should be no problem.
Keep the photos coming as you progress.

[stubshaft]

The kit looks great even though it doesn't have a rock lock. The buttplate can be tedious to fit, and the only other critical step will be to drill for the drum AND drill the nipple at the proper angle.

Measure twice, cut once.

Good luck.

[Hanshi]

That stock is going to be gorgeous.

[oldracer]

No pictures but an update of sorts. I spent the weekend working the barrel flats and also scraping the stock inlet where the barrel sits. I would file/sand/etc on the barrel for a bit then do a little stock work. The flats are nice and flat as they had some concave shape to them and worked them with several progressive grits of emery paper. I used a magic marker for the final sanding and all the black comes off so I am happy. On the stock I am going nice and slow and using the blade of a replaceable razor knife to scrape the sides of the barrel channel and late last night the barrel finally slides in. I'll enlarge it just a tad more and then do the breech area next and the tang cutout.