Bewsher500 Posted August 23, 2013 Report Share Posted August 23, 2013 I'm going to ask what might turn out to be a dumb question. Why do you use black powder not nitro in a punt gun? Surely nitro would give you better ballistics and a nicer, clean burn. Is it just a traditional thing? pressure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSS Posted August 23, 2013 Report Share Posted August 23, 2013 pressure Nice, clear, concise answer there Bewsher... Care to elaborate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted August 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2013 Sorry for the lack of responses, i took the family for a couple of days on the broads... Lots of fishing and cruising! Anyway, Nitro powder creates much higher breach pressures than black powder. Nitro burns almost instantaneously all in the breach whereas black powder burns all the way down the barrel creating a more gradual increase in pressure and acceleration (in relative terms anyway) Also as a result, nitro powder would blow the pattern on such a large bore... From my point of view, pressure is one concern, but i want it to be 'authentic', the huge cloud of smoke and flame coming out of the barrel is pretty impressive too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted August 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2013 When i got back from the broads my new towbar had arrived for the L200 so i fitted that ready for the weekend, hopefully we will get out and do some more 'sea trials' (and bass fishing) I've got a 350 mile round trip tomorrow to Warwickshire to pick up the black powder... (the guy who sells it is away so if i don't get it tomorrow it'll be a month until i can test it, so a drive it is!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
la bala Posted August 23, 2013 Report Share Posted August 23, 2013 its like waiting for a baby to arrive . have a good trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver pigeon69 Posted August 24, 2013 Report Share Posted August 24, 2013 i wish i had your skills!! sorry if you have stated it before (i couldnt see it), but how heavy will the gun be? Also if it was a ML how would you load it when in the punt? or wouldnt you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun4860 Posted August 24, 2013 Report Share Posted August 24, 2013 i wish i had your skills!! sorry if you have stated it before (i couldnt see it), but how heavy will the gun be? Also if it was a ML how would you load it when in the punt? or wouldnt you? Its a breech loader Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver pigeon69 Posted August 24, 2013 Report Share Posted August 24, 2013 Its a breech loader I know it is but there was a discussion earlier on pros cons of both and wildfowler gave a good arguement for the Breech loader. My question was IF IT WAS a ML how would you load it? or let me ask another way, how would you load a 3m(10ft) long ML when in the punt? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted August 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2013 MLs are normally loaded whilst moored up so you can do it on dry land. I have heard of people pulling the gun into the boat so the muzzle is resting on the gun crutch to reload but that sounds very risky to me!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted August 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2013 I went and collected the black powder today... 350 mile round trip but it was worth it! Now i need to get the shot! When I got home I made the firing pin knob and the firing pin retaining screw (the same as in the breach plug) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted August 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2013 Then I drilled and tapped a shallow hole in the head of the cartridge to enable it to be extracted. i tested it with a piece of studding and it worked perfectly. I'll make a tool tomorrow... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrypen Posted August 26, 2013 Report Share Posted August 26, 2013 (edited) Hi WildfowlerIf I may presume to make a couple of observations ,,,,1 A simple washer/springseat slid on the firing pin to butt up against the shoulder would stop any size of spring riding up the firing pin as it has in your previous pictures is an easy add on .2 Would not a tee handle two finger hook cocking pull be more practical than a relatively small gnurled knob ? given that you may well be trying to cock this monster on a cold wet day on the marsh , it may well be more "agricultural" looking but it would offer a positive grip !!harrypen Edited August 26, 2013 by harrypen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted August 27, 2013 Report Share Posted August 27, 2013 How about carting one about fully loaded (minus the cap) in a Passat Estate. When I went out a good few years ago the guy I went with loaded the gun at home. MLs are normally loaded whilst moored up so you can do it on dry land. I have heard of people pulling the gun into the boat so the muzzle is resting on the gun crutch to reload but that sounds very risky to me!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amazed Posted August 27, 2013 Report Share Posted August 27, 2013 How about carting one about fully loaded (minus the cap) in a Passat Estate. When I went out a good few years ago the guy I went with loaded the gun at home. That's classed as a tank in the new cut price British army. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted August 27, 2013 Report Share Posted August 27, 2013 Nice to see you've managed some family time and some work on the weapon. What shot size will you be loading? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted August 27, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2013 How about carting one about fully loaded (minus the cap) in a Passat Estate. When I went out a good few years ago the guy I went with loaded the gun at home. That sounds dodgy but no worse than a cartridge I suppose... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted August 27, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2013 Nice to see you've managed some family time and some work on the weapon. What shot size will you be loading? I've just placed the order for some steel in B for testing, etc and some ITX in BB for actual fowling...I might load some ITX in no. 1 depending on how the testing goes... But at least with BBs there shouldn't be many cripples! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deershooter Posted August 27, 2013 Report Share Posted August 27, 2013 will you be testing with lead ? Deershooter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver pigeon69 Posted August 27, 2013 Report Share Posted August 27, 2013 How sweet is that first duck/s you shoot with the Punt gun going to taste!!!!! My mouths watering at the thought! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted August 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2013 will you be testing with lead ? Deershooter No, not unless the steel is a complete failure. I did think about it but I'd never be able to shoot on he marsh with it so it seemed a bit pointless but it is a LOT cheaper than ITX for testing purposes. The hope is that I can get a load that allows me to use steel as an effective shot for on the marsh. So I'll test a few shots with steel and see how it goes and then one of ITX to pattern it. If it patterns ok, I'll start with ITX on the marsh and work in the meantime to perfect the steel load (different powder measures, shot cup design, wads, etc...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul223 Posted August 28, 2013 Report Share Posted August 28, 2013 Shot cups? Can they be bought or is that another thing to be made to measure, take it wads will be cut with a specially made punch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted August 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2013 (edited) Yes, I'll make a wooden mandrel with 2 ends, one for making paper/ card cases an the other to make the shot cups. It won't be a complex thing just cerial box card to keep the shot away from the barrel. (I will of course post pictures) I started making the punch at the weekend and will finish it tomorrow night. I need to get some thick felt carpet underlay or something to make the wads. I'll get some oakum too so I can see which produces the best pattern and which is hardest hitting Edited August 28, 2013 by Wildfowler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pole Star Posted August 28, 2013 Report Share Posted August 28, 2013 Thanks for sharing this with us Wildfowler its really is a good thread but are you calculating the start to finish amount of man hours you have put into this great project ? , the thread has got long now so perhaps I missed . Keep up the great work ATB Pole Star Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted August 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2013 Hundreds of hours... More than I care to think about to be honest... But it's been fun for the majority of it, and when I've got annoyed with it I've just left it alone rather than rush it to get it finished, hence it taking so long! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pole Star Posted August 29, 2013 Report Share Posted August 29, 2013 Hundreds of hours... More than I care to think about to be honest... But it's been fun for the majority of it, and when I've got annoyed with it I've just left it alone rather than rush it to get it finished, hence it taking so long! Take it you must have a pub near by to cool the temper when needed its a great job , I got word of a punt , gun & trailer up for sale the other day & I would love a crack at it but am just not in the dosh these days so I am out for the moment, its down on the east coast of England I am told . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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