Bumbling idiot wanders in!

[Muzzleloader]

Hi,

A complete and utter Noobie here - joined to learn as much as I can.

I have absolutely zero experience of welding, but would like to learn if possible. I have a few projects in mind - nothing too large or ambitious. Just simple stuff

I'm such a beginner I don't even have a welder.....yet

My inital thoughts were to buy a cheapy £50'ish welder, grab some angle iron or such like and just have a go.

So, appologies in advance for the stupid questions or for asking things that have been asked a thousand times before!

 

[Furry Freak]

Your first project could be to weld up the hole in the end of your Smoke-pole. A muzzle stuffer, eh? Maybe you could weld yourself up a nice shiny bolt action rifle when you get going.

I would say that it sounds like a plan. Many have started there - I did. Simple welder give it a go, what's to lose? Plenty of material on here to get you off to a flying start. What sort of things (aside from proper rifles) are you fancying having a go at? Pay a visit to your local steel stockist, they will probably have a rummage bin which will be dead cheap. Buy lots of different bits and some decent rods. Find out where there is a local welding supplier. Don't pay DIY shed prices.

"Prepare to make ready" and all that.

FF

 

[Muzzleloader]

Your first project could be to weld up the hole in the end of your Smoke-pole. A muzzle stuffer, eh? Maybe you could weld yourself up a nice shiny bolt action rifle when you get going.
FF

These are my other toys:

I suppose I could always weld up a gun rack

 

[Furry Freak]

Very nice. Everyone has to have a Ruger 10/22. Is that B/A an Anschutz?
Modesty forbids me from putting my current armoury - sorry, collection on here, but this was what I used to have to play with.

 

[Arsonista]

Welcome. Your hobby sounds, errrr, interesting. Do you mke your own shot?.

 

[Furry Freak]

I presume that that question is directed at my smokey colleague - so I will let him answer that one, but I certainly load all of my own ammunition. It's far more accurate than shop bought stuff. I must have loaded tens of thousands of rounds. I don't make my own bullets, that would be nuts, but measuring the propellant is crucial.

FF

 

[weldingscotty803]

alot cheaper too to load your own. lee loader etc is a must for any centrefire owner.
ive made a few gun related items. mainly shooting targets spinners etc, from 3mm targets to 20mm for the .223. also made gun rests vices etc
anyway welcome

 

[Arsonista]

I presume that that question is directed at my smokey colleague

Do I detect a tiny bit of needle between the two 'methods' of firing bullets?.

 

[Furry Freak]

LEE LOADER - Scotty, I said Accurate! Lee make good dies I think. Some people hate them, but 5 rounds in the same hole says different.

Yes, there is friendly riflery between the smoke a bang brigade and proper shooters. Riflery - get it? No? Oh well.

Actually it's a noble art, but not that good for deer stalking in the rain. I have a great deal of respect for muzzle loading, just no particular interest in it. For me rifles are simply tools like any other.

FF

 

[Muzzleloader]

Arsonista - yes I cast both round ball and bullet. It really is a No-brainer cost wise.

As regards the rivalry, there are only two kinds of shooter: those that shoot blackpowder and those that wish they did

I know that muzzleloading doesn't appeal to everyone, but for me all the faffing about is a great part of the enjoyment. Also, a misconception is that just because its 'older' technology, its somehow inferior and less accurate; my Parker Hale rifle is accurate to at least 600 yds, and will shoot much further.

Over in the US, hunting with muzzleloading rifles has a very big following, with very large game being taken with both Percussion and Flintlock rifles.

 

[Muzzleloader]

For those that might be curious.

From the top:

Parker Hale Volunteer .451

Marlin 1894 'Cowboy' .357

Ruger 10/22 .22

CZ 452 'Varmint' .22

Remington New Model Army .44

 

[Furry Freak]

As regards the rivalry, there are only two kinds of shooter: those that shoot blackpowder and those that wish they did

Touche, nice one.
But only 600 yads, I can imagine how disappointing that must be

Very nice collection.I have a Marlin too, but in .44 Great piece of kit for skittle shooting.

FF

 

[Arsonista]

there are only two kinds of shooter: those that shoot blackpowder and those that wish they did.

Good comeback, Muzzleloader. You'll fit right in here.

The Parker Hale is a beautiful looking piece of kit. Almost elegant, if you can call a gun that.

As for the casting your own shot, I think you'd best get your camera out, sounds an interesting process.

 

[Furry Freak]

We seemed to have strayed somewhat from the original post - but Hey, you started this

A bit out of date these pics, I actually have another 2 rifles at least.

FF

 

[Muzzleloader]

Good comeback, Muzzleloader. You'll fit right in here.

The Parker Hale is a beautiful looking piece of kit. Almost elegant, if you can call a gun that.

As for the casting your own shot, I think you'd best get your camera out, sounds an interesting process.

Thanks

You are right about the Parker Hale - it is my pride and joy..*cough* after the Missus of course
It has a low serial number and is an original Birmingham made Parker Hale.

And yes, you most certainly can call a gun elegant

Casting boolits is falling off a log simple.
Get lead, melt, pour into mold. "Simples"

I use about 400 round ball and 400 bullets a year.
Cost to buy round ball @ £15 per 100 = £60
Cost to buy bullets @ £22 per 50 = £176

Lead costs around £2.50 per kg.

1 kg of lead casts just over 100 balls or 54 bullets
cost for year for ball = £10 and for bullets = £20

£30 cast vs £236 shop bought

 

[Muzzleloader]

We seemed to have strayed somewhat from the original post - but Hey, you started this

A bit out of date these pics, I actually have another 2 rifles at least.

FF

Sorry for straying......

Nice collection...so talk me through them

 

[Furry Freak]

Missing from the pics are:
Styer Scout Elite 7mm-08
Tikka T3 Lite .243
Tikka T3 Lite .308
Investarm 12g
Air Arms S410 Carbine .22

From left to right:
Tikka 595 .17
Remington PSS .223 Armalon M16 conversion
Tikka 558 22-250
Winchester M70 .243 Varmint
Sako MkIV Hunter 25-06
Tikka 695 7mm Rem Mag
Remington 700 DM BDL .308 (sold)
Browning A bolt .300 Win Mag

From top to bottom:
Beratta 686 Special Sporting 12g
Beretta 303 Field Model 12g
Franchi 3" Magnum 10 shot section one pump action 12g

From left to right:
Marlin 1894 S .44
Marlin 880 .22 RF
Ruger 10/22 .22 RF

And yes, I do have a lot of security!!

FF

 

[souljah]

mmm nice collection here a couple of mine but not kept at home

 

[Furry Freak]

Boy, that's a nasty case of scope eye you have there. Worst I have seen! Looks like a T8 on the end. I have one. Very effective and can actually increase accuracy through harmonic damping, but a pain to have to carry around. If I am in a tower, I just stick ear plugs in - or my ipod.

Pity they didn't keep the old FN SLR, eh? Proper rifle. Never really been impressed with .223 as a round. That's the infantry support weapon of something like that yes? Is it better than the SA80 in any respects?

Stay safe, you hear!

FF

 

[souljah]

yea the SLR was a man stopper, this is the A2 version LSW both the rifle and the LSW are now very good weapons with heavy weight steel magazines from sterling
which is wear many of the stoppages stemmed from the old mags being based on the m16 disposable soft tin ones with soft spring
the LSW has a longer barrel than the rifle so had a higher muzzle speed and is effective to a greater range but its a bit to accuret and doesnt beat the killing area as say a GPMG would ,altho the GPMG is back in favour in afgan along with the minimi(LMG) sections now have half there men with fully auto support weapons, so 10 men and in effect 5 machine guns