Well, it’s hot again. Dang if spring didn’t scoot right by and now it’s summer. It’s been raining so much nobody wants to go out and shoot. Weather seldom stopped our forefathers though. Even great battles of the civil war were fought in the rain until the rain got so hard both sides could no longer fire and that was seldom. The slow light rain we’ve been having today did not even slow our ancestors down. So yeah, time to get out and practice.
When I was a young man, I apprenticed under a master tool and die maker. In the first two years I worked with him I seldom saw him use a milling machine, he did it all with a file. Being young and headstrong I would often complain, but his reply was always the same: before you can use the mill, you must master the file.
Rice Barrel owner Jason Schneider demonstrates ‘old school’ rifling on a vintage style rifling machine owned by the NMLRA. This demonstration was part of the 2018 TN Muzzle Loading History Banquet.
Rice Barrel Co is a longtime NMLRA Commercial Row Vendor and has supplied muzzle loader builders with fine barrels for years. Find out more on their website ricebarrels.com
Bill Raby is nearly done building his Lancaster Flintlock Rifle. This in depth series seeks to give you a real look at longrifle building from start to finish. Bill is doing a great job sharing this process. If you are wanting to build your first muzzle loader, or your 10th, give this series a watch!
As I write this the governor of Indiana has closed down the state due to the COVID-19 virus. Many businesses are closed. Schools are closed. Right now, we are at home, doing our civic duty to prevent the spread of this terrible virus. This is scary stuff. Without my faith in God even I’d be nervous.
Tip of The Day Tuesday... With a large percentage of the country under some form of shelter in place order currently, take advantage of the extra time available to get your next several projects roughed out. If you're horn guy, get a few cut to length, ready to thin, carve and shape.
If you're a blacksmith, forge out a few strikers, knife blanks, etc. If your a leather type, cut out a few bags or pouches for assembly later.
In a few weeks when all this chaos fades away and we dive back into our normal hectic lives, you'll have a jumpstart on the next couple projects, which in and of itself will motivate you to complete them perhaps... Stay safe and healthy!
Jeff Luke
We catch up with Gunmaker’s Hall Demonstrator and craftsman Dennis Priddy to talk shop about some of the muzzle loaders he brought to the NMLRA National Championships in September 2019.
Dennis has been a Gunsmith for many years now. Having always enjoyed working with his hands, he was naturally attracted to building muzzle loaders as the trade uses so many skills and disciplines.
We talk with Dennis about two of his muzzle loaders, each as ornate as the last. You would think these fine rifles spend their days locked in a safe, but the first rifle shown here is his daily driver and go-to hunting rifle!
These rifles are real works of art. To see them in person, begin planning your trip to the NMLRA Nationals soon!
