Bubbaed Barrel repair

[LAGS]

I too have put on Taller sights to counteract a rifle that the drop in the butt stock was too flat.
That one is a Traditions , St Louis Hawken kit that I built.
I didn't want to reshape the stock , because it fit others just fine.
It is just my long arms and long neck that makes the stocks for my rifles require more drop in the stock for the sights to line up for me.
But there are other options you can try if your rifle sighting line up doesn't work for you.

[armoredman]

We will see what the boy wants, but first, he makes smoke! Then we see! No matter what I pay, it can never be enough for this labor of love

[armoredman]

Anyone up for the final verdict?

[armoredman]

First, for those who like video with music and action, ( not EXACTLY Hollywood quality, of course), and the secret surprise is only found in the video...

YouTube approved, finally.

https://youtu.be/y8ANlNFYK5E

But not everyone like watching YouTube, and I can't blame them.

So, here we go!

Here he is finally getting hands on, and he is quite happy - he usually doesn't smile big.



PURTY!



Time for some hands on education.







The excitement builds



It must have patch, THEN ball...



Cap it!



Moment of truth.



First round ever fired by this kid through this rifle, first time it's been fired since being deBubba'd, (which SHOULD be an official term!), and that's pretty darn respectable. The X'd out group was me verifying a 50 yard zero on a MUCH different rifle...

[armoredman]

But he wasn't done. Look carefully over the top of the white painted target - that black speck is the ball in the air.



Two shot group, standing 50 yards, fixed iron sights.



I painted over that so he dumped one dead center.



Happy son!



And a parting message.

[LAGS]

That was a great day.
Now there is another BP shooter.
And he didn't do too bad for his first time with this rifle and the type it is.
I am so happy that he was pleased with the restoration on the rifle.

[LAGS]

In that picture that you can see the ball flying halfway to the target.
You can also see the Patch flying halfway behind it to the rifle which still has sparks around the muzzle.

[armoredman]

And YouTube said we can watch the video!

https://youtu.be/y8ANlNFYK5E

[LAGS]

I am really impressed with that rifles accuracy for the first time it was shot after repair.
And by a person that had Never shot that rifle before.
Now Remember.
This is the Bubba'ed rifle that had TWO holes drilled all the way into the bore.
So , Filling the holes with screws really works , if done properly.
So I am impressed that the part that started this thread , has proved to be repairable.

[armoredman]

Incredible work, sir.

[725]

LAGS, "the magnificent", per the video is right on. Well done de-bubbafication of a nightmare piece. That young man had an appreciative smile that Dad will remember for a long time. Even though it's been reported that the shooter never fired a ML before, it is obvious he has shooting skills. Hope he enjoys his new rifle for a long time. I know he will remember it all with a smile long after his own kids are shown their first gun.
The added bonus footage of the ML pistol made me smile. More to come on that build as soon as I get the photos collated and get them onto the site.
Well done, LAGS.

[armoredman]

I'm a little surprised with all the views on this thread that there wasn't more comments after it was all done. However, it is pretty well established that LAGS really knows how to "rescue" a muzzleloader!

[725]

me, too.

[LAGS]

I am very pleased with the number of Views this thread has had.
This thread started off Asking for Your Opinions on a barrel repair that I was doing.
And it ventured into a full explanation of other or related issues that this rifle had.
I like showing you guys that Things can be fixed.
But by me doing a post like this, I am also asking for your help.
Not in just the repairs , but comments on repairs I might be able to help you make or that are needed.
I like to help others and promote this BP Sport.
I have received a few PM's from members about issues they needed advice on.
But don't be shy,
Share your questions on the forum.
There are many others that may have a better fix or opinion than I do.
Don't feel that you are the only one with a problem.

[Jackrabbit1957]

Hey LAGS really appreciate you having the desire to share your knowledge! I also do black powder gunsmithing, mostly tuning on revolvers but occasionally do other things. I like to help out as well and feel that this knowledge should be passed along. Never cared for those folks that think their knowledge is a deep dark secret. Keep doing what you're doing!

[LAGS]

Just an update.
I have watched the rifle being shot several times.
Everything is working excellent.
The kid LOVES that rifle.
And it is very accurate.
He is also shooting it with Homemade BP and Homemade Primer caps

[armoredman]

Nowadays it's the only thing he wants to shoot!

[AntiqueSledMan]

Hello LAGS,

I don't know how I missed this post.
I went back and read all the way through,
what a project and what a fantastic job.

Thanks for sharing, AntiqueSledMan.

[LAGS]

Thank You A.S.M.
I am glad that you are impressed.
We did the thread just to show you guys that Rifles can be saved.
And there are lots of things that many of you can actually do at home.
I do my work in my garage , and don't have a ton of specialized professional tools.
But this thread can also point out things to watch for or do if you build a kit.

[armoredman]

Just passed this thread on to some other people who might also be interested.