Southron Sr.
Private
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2011
- Location
- MIddle Georgia
Having built and "Accurized" a fair number of replica Rifle-Muskets for N-SSA competition over the years, I have come to the conclusion that most (but not all) replica rifle muskets that come "new, out of the box" are capable of much better accuracy IF THREE BASIC "upgrades" are performed on them.
[1] Glass Bed the Breech and barrel under the nose-cap.
Proper "bedding" (how the barrel fits in the stock) has an awful lot to do with how accurate a Rifle-Musket will shoot. For whatever reasons, MOST replica Rifle Muskets come from the factory with a LOUSY BEDDING JOB.
The manufacturers do this [make stocks with oversize barrel channels] because it makes assembling the replica guns fast and easy at the factory.
A lousy bedding job means that the barrel will literally "Flop Around" in the barrel channel every time the gun is fired. This is not conductive to accuracy. A good Glass Bedding job will cure this problem pernamently.
Exhaustive experiments conducted at the Harpers Ferry Armory in the early 1850's proved beyond a doubt that also a TIGHT TANG SCREW was conductive to accuracy. So, this is another reason to Glass Bed your Rifle Musket as a good Glass Bedding Job will support a Tight Tang Screw.
2. A "Trigger Job." Ideally you want a trigger pull of somewhere between 3 & 4 Pounds. Most replicas come "out of the box" with trigger pulls of around 8 to 15 pounds. These "heavy" trigger pulls are not conductive to best accuracy. Don't go below 3 pounds because a "Hair Trigger" is a safety issue.
Unless you know what you are doing, get a professional gunsmith to do your "Trigger Job." The reason you want a professional to do the work is that some parts inside of your lock might not be properly casehardened from the factory, A professional gunsmith knows how to harden you lock parts, etc.
3. Taller Front Sight mounted in a Dovetail. Keep in mind that 99 times out of a 100, the front sight found on replica Rifle Muskets is too low. This will cause the gun to shoot "High" at 50 and 100 yards. Also, usually the "Windage" is off.
A gunsmith can knock off the original front sight and then cut a "Dovetail" in your barrel and install your new, TALL front sight.
Then "Sighting In" your Rifle Musket off the bench is easy. The front sight is filed down until the bullets are hitting level with the Bulls-eye. Then the front sight is drifted back and forth in the dovetail until the Windage is perfect and all your bullets are landing in the Bulls Eye!
(Note: Keep in mind that when drifiting your Front Sight, the front sight must be moved in the OPPOSITE DIRECTION in which you want the point of impact of your bullets to move!)
If you shoot in N-SSA competition keep in mind that N-SSA rules require: [A] The base of your new, replacement Front Sight must closely resemble the base of the original Front Sight on your barrel and When your Rifle Musket is "Sighted In" N-SSA require that you run a tad of solder up under the base of the front sight.
Replica Rifle Muskets can exhibit amazing accuracy and all the way out to 800 Yards if they are properly modified!
[1] Glass Bed the Breech and barrel under the nose-cap.
Proper "bedding" (how the barrel fits in the stock) has an awful lot to do with how accurate a Rifle-Musket will shoot. For whatever reasons, MOST replica Rifle Muskets come from the factory with a LOUSY BEDDING JOB.
The manufacturers do this [make stocks with oversize barrel channels] because it makes assembling the replica guns fast and easy at the factory.
A lousy bedding job means that the barrel will literally "Flop Around" in the barrel channel every time the gun is fired. This is not conductive to accuracy. A good Glass Bedding job will cure this problem pernamently.
Exhaustive experiments conducted at the Harpers Ferry Armory in the early 1850's proved beyond a doubt that also a TIGHT TANG SCREW was conductive to accuracy. So, this is another reason to Glass Bed your Rifle Musket as a good Glass Bedding Job will support a Tight Tang Screw.
2. A "Trigger Job." Ideally you want a trigger pull of somewhere between 3 & 4 Pounds. Most replicas come "out of the box" with trigger pulls of around 8 to 15 pounds. These "heavy" trigger pulls are not conductive to best accuracy. Don't go below 3 pounds because a "Hair Trigger" is a safety issue.
Unless you know what you are doing, get a professional gunsmith to do your "Trigger Job." The reason you want a professional to do the work is that some parts inside of your lock might not be properly casehardened from the factory, A professional gunsmith knows how to harden you lock parts, etc.
3. Taller Front Sight mounted in a Dovetail. Keep in mind that 99 times out of a 100, the front sight found on replica Rifle Muskets is too low. This will cause the gun to shoot "High" at 50 and 100 yards. Also, usually the "Windage" is off.
A gunsmith can knock off the original front sight and then cut a "Dovetail" in your barrel and install your new, TALL front sight.
Then "Sighting In" your Rifle Musket off the bench is easy. The front sight is filed down until the bullets are hitting level with the Bulls-eye. Then the front sight is drifted back and forth in the dovetail until the Windage is perfect and all your bullets are landing in the Bulls Eye!
(Note: Keep in mind that when drifiting your Front Sight, the front sight must be moved in the OPPOSITE DIRECTION in which you want the point of impact of your bullets to move!)
If you shoot in N-SSA competition keep in mind that N-SSA rules require: [A] The base of your new, replacement Front Sight must closely resemble the base of the original Front Sight on your barrel and When your Rifle Musket is "Sighted In" N-SSA require that you run a tad of solder up under the base of the front sight.
Replica Rifle Muskets can exhibit amazing accuracy and all the way out to 800 Yards if they are properly modified!