Post by: ken on May 09, 2008, 07:36:45 PM
Post by: Ohio Joe on May 09, 2008, 08:31:04 PM
Hello Ken!
I made a chunk gun using the .40 x 1" x 42" GMB w/1in48 twist, and all I can say is if you want good grouping with this barrel that will allow you a shot at competing with other chunk guns, use one of the two starting points; .400 ball with at least a .022 denim patch along 55 to 65 grains of 3fg Goex. The powder load will vary,,, or a .395 ball with .024 denim (minimum) and again anywhere from 55 to 65 grains of 3fg Goex (or your chosen best black powder)...
Now with all the above said, if I had to do it over I would go with
a .45 GMB 1" x 42" w/ 1in60 twist. You give up a little weight but not that much and the 1 in 60 twist is not near as finicky as the 1 in 48... The .45 GMB will throw a good ball while not being so finicky.
The .50 is a good choice but not needed in chunk shooting. For one thing you'll have to go with a heavier load to gain a fast ball and a fast ball is a must in chunk. Getting a fast ball from a .50 will also create a bit more recoil which over 50 and 60 yard chunk matches will play havoc.
This is where the .45 shines in my humble opinion. You can get a fast ball with low recoil, and on a windy day the 1 in 60 twist allows you to up your load if you so choose and it will buck the wind as good as any .50 caliber - again with less recoil.
Hope this helps.
Post by: ken on May 09, 2008, 08:46:22 PM
Post by: ken on May 09, 2008, 08:49:45 PM
Post by: Ohio Joe on May 10, 2008, 12:09:30 AM
I was making bowstrings so I hadn't had a chance to get back here to this topic until now.
Tomorrow I will post some pictures of my chunk gun. As I said before it is a .40 cal, but I didn't tell you it was also a halfstock percussion and weighs in at 12.5 pounds. The recoil is hardly noticable. Also you don't want a sharp cresent butt plate, and not a lot of drop. Mine has a 3.25" drop which fits me ok when taking up the prone position across the chunk.
Now before I go any further let me say that to shoot in an over the log match any comfortable muzzleloader will do. As you already know, chunk guns in this day and age are specialty guns and they come in all shapes, sizes, and weights. For the most part they are rather ugly rifles but even an ugly rifle has its own beauty when you're spidering the "X" (dead center shots)...
Going to Friendship and taking a look at the chunk rifles there that are competing is a great idea, and I would highly recommend it. Until then I think it would be a good idea to run a chunk match at your club to see if the interest is there, though as long as you have the interest to want to pursue over-the-log matches, that is what's important and a heavy rifle is desirable and almost a must anymore to compete. Nothing wrong with a 12 pound rifle however as that to is plenty heavy. :)
Let me know if I can be of any help.
Post by: ken on May 10, 2008, 08:49:40 AM
Post by: Ohio Joe on May 10, 2008, 02:29:29 PM
I even seen one guy use electrical tape to tape his canting block onto his halfstock rifle. (he kicked our butt's) :laffing
Post by: ken on May 10, 2008, 02:35:39 PM
Post by: jbullard1 on May 10, 2008, 03:04:11 PM
What Is a Chunk Gun??
Post by: Ohio Joe on May 10, 2008, 03:06:47 PM
Quote from: "ken"
That's the way it usually goes, you try to do everthing right and someone comes alond and does everthing that you shouldn't do and makes everone look bad. Go figure!!!!
How true! He could have at least tied it on with sinew or leather...
Post by: R.M. on May 10, 2008, 03:07:12 PM
http://overthelog.tripod.com/chunkgun/index.html (http://overthelog.tripod.com/chunkgun/index.html)
Post by: jbullard1 on May 10, 2008, 03:42:37 PM
Post by: Ohio Joe on May 10, 2008, 03:50:30 PM
Also, be sure to click on and take a good look at the "1904 Shoot" from the site R.M. posted... Notice in the picture of the lighter rifles that where brought to that shoot (and I would imagine where used in that shoot), it rather bares out a time when a transition in "chunk gun shooting" was taking place. Folks still brought their everyday rifle to use at these matches.
Today it's pretty much all the big gun when it comes to over the log shooting.
Post by: BEAVERMAN on May 10, 2008, 08:58:48 PM
Post by: ken on May 19, 2008, 08:10:53 PM
Post by: Ohio Joe on May 19, 2008, 10:53:16 PM
As for style,,, geez,,, chunk guns are so danged ugly I'd venture to say they are based on just about every style out there in 'yesterdays' world.
I do believe a favorite however is the fullstock with not much drop as it is much more friendly when it comes to recoil on the shoulder area, and you certainly don't want a sharp cresent buttplate.
The cant block built into the muzzle end of the full stock I feel is a favorite by many chunk gun shooters. Were I to do a full stock and base it on a longrifle design, I like the Dickert with no more then a three in drop, and fatten up the wrist just a bit.
Let me post a picture of my halfstock here in a few minutes. Give you an idea what I'm using (but I'm not completely thrilled with it)... I should have built fullstock...
(http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll240/JoethebowM/100_0193.jpg)
(http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll240/JoethebowM/100_0194.jpg)
Post by: ken on May 19, 2008, 11:29:14 PM
Post by: Ohio Joe on May 20, 2008, 12:03:10 AM
The trigger is just a single trigger filed to engage the sear at an angle allowing for a very light trigger pull. Done that the old-fashion way. You can also see the silver solder lines on the trigger where I've cut and shaped it for just the right fit. I just wish I had put a .45 caliber barrel in her instead of the .40... I still might?