|
|
Post by kai on Dec 10, 2016 17:18:18 GMT -5
I have access to various non-converted barrels for break action guns such as TC Encore Pro Hunter.
I'd like to test these various barrels in different lengths for accuracy with various loads (different powders, charges and bullets) before I make the commitment to convert them to SML with a breach plug.
The barrels are all currently in their original chambers of 44mag or 444 marlin.
Can a fire-formed, primed brass case be used in place of the breach plug to shoot these barrels as you would an SML?
Testing barrels using a brass case could be a good way to test various barrel lengths, powders, charges and bullets for accuracy BEFORE committing any specific barrel to SML use.
What do you think of this idea?
|
|
|
|
Post by jims on Dec 10, 2016 17:56:30 GMT -5
Not quite what you are suggesting but some have made a breech plug insert into a centerfire chamber to make a muzzleloader. It is tight fit, not permanent but it does not drop out either. There would be a fair amount of machining however. Some expense if you were doing it on more than one barrel however. Some have been done on 45-70s.
|
|
|
|
Post by Cheytac on Dec 10, 2016 19:06:08 GMT -5
I would NOT do any experimenting with a smokeless powder ML (bad things can happen very fast)
Have you call Jeff and spoken to him yet ? I would start with that
|
|
|
|
Post by Richard on Dec 10, 2016 20:57:32 GMT -5
Are you saying.................Put in a primed fire formed case with NO powder or Bullet...........then add powder from the muzzle and also the bullet from the muzzle? Will your powder level come above the leade angle cut into the rifling? If not, you may run into pressure (or maybe lack of pressure) problems much the same as if a boattail bullet is used in a regular ML'er? And why a .44? That is an odd size and not much in the way of ML bullets available? Do yourself a favor and stick with .40 or .45. Sounds a little funky to me but hey? Some people said the same when I started shooting triplex loads!  And YES, they did work!..............Just not any better then duplex loads. |
|
|
|
Post by kai on Dec 10, 2016 22:54:02 GMT -5
Thanks to all for the early comments.
I did speak with Jeff a while back about SML's in general and he did mentioned in passing that it's possible to plug the breach with a primed brass case but that it wouldn't be a legal muzzle loader for hunting.
Perhaps he'll chime in.
I hunt in a private area that allows a minimum of 44 caliber. I also have access to borrow finished centerfire 44 caliber barrels of various lengths, but I don't want to alter them if possible.
Richard, thanks for chiming in. Yes I am asking about loading a primed (fire formed) case into a 44mag or a 444 Marlin barrel and adding powder to fill the chamber past the leade angle cut, then loading a bullet on top of the charge. The objective is for me to test various lengths of barrels that are available to me for testing without modifying first converting them.
I'm testing some new experimental 44 cal bullets configurations from an established manufacturer and I'm trying to test variables such as different powders and barrel lengths with various experimental high BC bullets without having to cut the barrels to different lengths to determine the optimum length. My goal is to maximize the range of a break action gun with the new high BC bullets while keeping the barrel relatively short ( i.e. 22 to 24 inches).
The early results indicate that the new 250 gn. high BC bullets will extend the 1,000 foot pound pounds of power range by approximately 100 yards compared the Honardy 265 gn FTX that I've been using.. The manufacturer is cuirrently developing 275 gn and a 300 gn bullets that I'd like to test in various length barrels with various powders.... I'm hoping to do further testing without having to progressively cut my barrels shorter to test various experimental bullets as they become available.
|
|
|
|
Post by dannoboone on Dec 10, 2016 23:05:12 GMT -5
Sounds like an interesting project, especially if you are finding higher B.C.
.44 bullets. I would probably do it with a break open rifle like the Encore in
which you can see the hammer when loading a primed case. Anything else,
the safety paranoia factor would rule!
|
|
|
|
Post by kai on Dec 11, 2016 0:17:40 GMT -5
Sounds like an interesting project, especially if you are finding higher B.C. .44 bullets. I would probably do it with a break open rifle like the Encore in which you can see the hammer when loading a primed case. Anything else, the safety paranoia factor would rule! Yes, I'm working with an Encore Pro Hunter and with higher BC 44 cal bullets that are currently being developed and not yet on the market. I found a bullet manufacturer who realized the void in the market for the much needed 44 cal hunting bullets for rifles and rifle velocities. I recently shot a large buck with the Honardy 265 gn FTX at 2,500 fps and the jacket completely separated from the lead core. The new bullets are being developed specifically for higher rifle velocities, higher than 444 Marlin velocities and I'm looking for a simple and reasonable way to put more powder behind them than a 444 Marlin case will hold, without having to make a longer brass cases and cut a custom chamber lengths just to test the various powders, case lengths, powder charges and barrel lengths. I was just wondering if using a fire formed brass case would work and what to look out for... such as using enough powder to fill the barrel past the leade angle as Richard mentioned. |
|
