Main Discussion Area > Muzzleloaders
20ga flintlock build
cryo-magnon-Eric Parker:
Eric, I appreciate the advice and the pictures! Do not think it is unwanted. I really dont know very much of what I am doing on this build. Two good friends (nclonghunter and pawtrap) have helped me alot. As well as reading your posts. Freehanding the butt plate without center lines was not a good idea at all. I definitely should have laid it out better. I've learned in this build so far I need to slow down more and I need better lighting in my shop.
Eric Krewson:
With a butt plate you want it completely filed to the final dimensions before you inlet it, the base flat with a slight draft cut in the edges, even from side to side in the lay out.
I like that you forged the butt plate, looks good, but I would have filed out all the dents and made it really slick. Next I would have drawn a paper template of the exact finished shape and glued it on the buttplate to file it down to be perfectly shaped and even side to side.
I did this on the side plate on my squirrel rifle so I could cut it out precisely.
Are using a dremel tool? Not good on a build, it makes your work sloppy, even mine if I am not careful and I was once a power duck decoy carver that did very fine detail work with a dremel.
Eric Krewson:
Another thing; do you have a pattern you are following? I have found the full sized plans you can buy are well worth the $7 you spend on them. You can't follow them exactly but they give you an idea of where to remove wood and how to shape things.
cryo-magnon-Eric Parker:
The paper template is a great idea. I didn't think of that. I used a dremel some but switched to hand files pretty quick. At the moment ive been relying on a couple friends for advice and help and recently borrowed a 20ga that im using for reference. It was built from more of a kit gun. I think I'll go ahead and order the plans you recommend. Especially since i have alot of work still left to do.
JW_Halverson:
I have used a Dremel, too. And while I have not had the experience of Eric chewing blocks of wood into ducks, I have taken the tool to hawk, falcon, and owl beaks to trim and reshape them when they are overgrown!
I am much more comfortable doing that work on a gunstock with hand tools now and will leave the rotary tool alone. However, with the birds, I want it done and done quick to reduce stress and limit the amount of trust I am destroying by manhandling them, so Dremel it is!
Take your time, Cryo! Don't let us pressure you into hurrying. Enjoy the process.
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