Author Topic: Heads up!!! the Generation II Lehigh is coming....  (Read 456 times)

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Offline sabotloader

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Heads up!!! the Generation II Lehigh is coming....
« on: April 23, 2010, 08:31:21 AM »
Test #1 of the new Lehigh Generation II Knight Breech Plug.

Been gone this past week to Missoula for some training, when I got back today I had a package with a NEW Lehigh Generation II breech plug in it.

The new plug is suppose to help in a couple of areas. It should provide a better primer pocket depth to reduce blow back from the primer area. It should also provide a better 'headspace' fit to the bolt face.

I could not resist the urge to try the new plug this morning in a 'primer cycling' test. I installed the plug in what i call my tightest fitting gun and in the loosest (not a word I know - but you know what i mean...)

From there I cycled 9 different 209 primers through both rifles. I cycled the longest primers I have the Winchesters, 2 types, and the shortest primer the Remington 209-4. I also cycled the CCI 209's both the 'M' and the regular primer. These primers are a bit fatter than than the others... The M's fit and pulled out just fine, the regular CCI 209 were snug going in and did require a small tug to get then out but they came out easily enough. I am confident a little use of the BP will polish and smooth the primer pocket to the point that the CCI-209 regular primers will work just fine.

Remember everyone, these plugs are machined to fit a true Knight DISC Elite or Extreme. If you try to use them in others in the model line, they may not fit as well. I have found Knight has some very wide tolerances in their manufacturing process. Now on the other hand it is my belief that they will work in may of these other Knights but you will not know for sure until you try.

Here is a pic of this mornings efforts....



Hope to shoot both this afternoon and tomarrow....
Keep shooting muzzleloaders - they are a blast....

Offline sabotloader

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Re: Heads up!!! the Generation II Lehigh is coming....
« Reply #1 on: April 23, 2010, 12:55:10 PM »
Test #2   Decided to run to the farm this morning and do some shot testing of the new Lehigh Generation II breech plug.

I decided to shoot the new DISC Elite - 45 cal as the first test rifle. Further I decided to shoot the dirtiest load combination I have. So I loaded up some T7-2f, touched off by a Winchester T7 primer. I ended up shooting some really old dark brown Knight 4045 cal sabots - just cuz I wanted to use them and save some of my good MMP - light tan sabots.

First off let me give you my perspectives of this testing. Both of the stock Knight ignition systems will allow blow back to reach up and eventually burn your scope. Both of the Knight systems leak a lot of blow back into the breech area. The goal, again my perspective, of the Lehigh plug was to significantly reduce the amount of blow back seen in the breech area and back onto the scope.

The Gen I plug and primer adapter solved the scope problem right out of the box, even the Gen I plug reduced the amount of blow back into the breech area, but for myself and others it was not good enough. Come-eth the Gen II plug.

I think Lehigh Dave would flat out tell you that he can reduce the blow back to ZERO if he had your rifle. I can tell you I can do the same thing for each of my Knights using a Lehigh plug. The PROBLEM - Knight manufacturing tolerances, they allow a large range of tolerances, which in the normal world is OK because the gun functions well and safely.

The Generation II plug is made to fit and work well in 90% + of the true Knight DISC Elites and Extremes made. Is it perfectly clean in all Knight rifles with all the different primers - NO! But it is significantly cleaner than the Knight offereings.

Test #2... was to shoot the new plug and see if it were worth the expenditure... After my trip to the farm i can easily reply - for myself - it is definetly worth it.

Here are some pictures to show my trip.... The first tens shots with the new conversion were with T7 and Winchester T7 primers.. and anybody that has shot them can tell you how dirty they can be. The last eight shots were taken with 110 grains of BH-209 and for the first 6 shots I used the suggested Federal 209A's - the last two shots were ignited with the meeger Remington 209-4 primer.

Here is a group of pictures showing todays activity....
 


In this gun... is it 100% Blow-Back free - NO... but it is far better than previous BP's. I beleive it will even be cleaner in my DISC Extreme which is a tighter gun than is this Elite.
Keep shooting muzzleloaders - they are a blast....

Offline 1sourdough

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Re: Heads up!!! the Generation II Lehigh is coming....
« Reply #2 on: April 26, 2010, 12:47:27 AM »
 Thanks for the report. I plan to get one or 2 when their web site shows them available.

 I ordered 2 of the conversions the other day. Looking forward to trying them out. The 2nd may go to the hunting partner. Thanks for the report.
NRA, Veteran