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Offline Doc Lisenby

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Need some help
« on: November 14, 2005, 01:01:39 PM »
The local Sheriff's Office brought me a black powder rifle to unload because they had discovered that a ramrod could not be inserted fully into the barrel.  They asked if I had a percussion cap so they could shoot it in order to clear it before they took it into the court room.
I cautioned against such action because the load was unknown.
I have been a gunsmith for many years but my experience with black powder guns is limited.
The rifle is stamped as a Traditions Tracker 209 In-Line and as near as I can determine is about 50 cal.
I removed the breech plug and found that it had been loaded with three black powder/Pyrodex? pellets and two saboted 240 gar. 44 cal. soft nose bullets.
I need to know if it is a common practice to assemble such a load or if it might had been done in an attempt to booby trap this rifle?
Also, it this rifle designed to fire some special percussion cap.? I don't see any evidence of a nipple or provision to accept a shotgun primer.
Any information you can furnish will be greatly appreciated.  This rifle was presented as evidence in a drug raid.
Doc
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Offline savageT

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Need some help
« Reply #1 on: November 14, 2005, 01:38:19 PM »
Doc,
No I doubt if someone intentionally loaded two sabots/bullets on top of three pyrodex or triple 7 pellets.  These guns can take a 150 grain load (3-pellets) of black powder substitute.

Contact Traditions if you need more info.......
http://www.traditionsfirearms.com/eshop/10Browse.asp?Category=Muzzleloaders%3A+Tracker+209+%28In+Lines%29

Jim
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Offline Redhawk1

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Need some help
« Reply #2 on: November 14, 2005, 05:06:50 PM »
Good thing you checked it out, sounds like a accident waiting to happen.  :eek:
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Offline sheephunterab

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« Reply #3 on: November 14, 2005, 07:57:52 PM »
The rifle likely uses a 209 shotgun primer for ignition.

The powder sounds right but two bullets is a recipe for disaster. It's a very good thing you did not fire it.
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Offline dispatch 510

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« Reply #4 on: November 15, 2005, 04:07:46 AM »
I have learned to check,I bought a T/C Renegade and a T/C Greyhawk about 7 months apart but from the same pawn shop and both of them were loaded.
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Offline Doc Lisenby

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« Reply #5 on: November 16, 2005, 10:25:06 AM »
Thanks all.  It was relatively easy to unload this rifle, but I wonder how to unload a rifle which has been loaded with saboted rounds which doesn't have a removeable breech plug?  I know about using the bullet screw to pull a lead  bullet out, but with a jacketed bullet, this wouldn't be an easy task. I also know about the nipple pneumatic tool to force the load out with compressed air.  Are there other methods?
Doc
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Offline Redhawk1

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« Reply #6 on: November 17, 2005, 01:28:33 AM »
I have removed the nipple and used my compressor with the blower with a rubber tip. It is regulated at 30 psi. Just point the gun in a safe direction. Works all the time.  :D
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Offline Keith Lewis

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« Reply #7 on: November 18, 2005, 08:14:38 AM »
I have heard of using a grease fitting in place of the nipple and using a grease gun to force the charge out with grease. Seems like a messy method to me but it is different. Not sure where you find grease fittings with same threads as the nipples.
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Offline Doc Lisenby

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« Reply #8 on: November 20, 2005, 02:45:12 AM »
Yeah, I can see a problem there.  There are several different nipples which are not interchangeable.  I believe that grease fittings are pretty well standardized but come in different sizes.
I have seen the rubber tipped air tools somewhere but seems like they were for a specialized task.  I've never seen them as a tool market item.
I can just about bet that if I don't get one, I will need one eventually. Any ideas about where to look?
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Offline DanielWGriggs

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« Reply #9 on: November 20, 2005, 02:56:30 AM »
got mine at Ace hardware. See the metal tipped ones most of the time.
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Offline Doc Lisenby

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« Reply #10 on: November 20, 2005, 04:09:24 AM »
Thanks Dan.  I'll give them a try tomorrow.
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Offline Keith Lewis

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« Reply #11 on: November 20, 2005, 04:49:05 AM »
Harbor Freight Tools sells complete nozzle ends with the trigger assembly cheaper than most have the ends only. If you have a Harbor Freight Tool close you could check there. I just got a complete assembly with an long 20 inch extension and a rubber tip for $2.00.
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Offline Doc Lisenby

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« Reply #12 on: November 20, 2005, 06:10:31 AM »
So Harbor Freight  finally has something I can use.  That is a real good deal.  My local hardware charges that much for a rubber gasket/seal.
Thanks.
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