Hey guys.. I just got a new inline from my uncle. It's never been shot. What should i do prior to shooting it the 1st time? I'd guess a real good cleaning since it was absolutly soaking in oil from factory. Also its a percussion cap #11 and the manual i found online say nothing about using pellets instead of using loose powder. Anyboy that could help me to insure i'm not using somthing i shouldn't would be greatly appericiated! Its a century arms centurion 50 cal. Also what all will i need to start shooting it? i've never ever shot a ml before if that helps?!?
New to this...
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There were a few models recalled about 10 to 14 years ago.
Yes the oil needs to be scrubbed out. Century Arms has sold some nice stuff and some junk. Keep your loads moderate 70 to 90 grains is enough for deer anyway.
If you shoot pellets, keep in mind that most substitutess generate higher pressures than black and sometimes 20% more, so back off on your load if using them. I would reccommend avoiding Pyrodex simply because it is more corrosive than black powder and even harder to scrub out.
There's nothing wrong with black powder, and it is cheaper than using pellets. I'd stick with 2fg. You didn't mention the rifling twist. A few older in-lines were indeed intended for patched round balls.
I once worked in a sporting goods store (1970's) and we sold Century Arms products. Back then as I recall, one of their products, a smooth bore flintlock, was recalled. Most of their stuff was fair to nice.
See if you can get another black powder shooter to meet you and give you some tips as you go through the process of cleaning and loading at the range. Whatever, you do, stay within the load reccommendations of the manufacturer. Some guns will take all kinds of abusive loads, some won't take any and with disastrous affect.
The NMLRA web site has some instructional guides avaailable on line, I think under publications.
Yes the oil needs to be scrubbed out. Century Arms has sold some nice stuff and some junk. Keep your loads moderate 70 to 90 grains is enough for deer anyway.
If you shoot pellets, keep in mind that most substitutess generate higher pressures than black and sometimes 20% more, so back off on your load if using them. I would reccommend avoiding Pyrodex simply because it is more corrosive than black powder and even harder to scrub out.
There's nothing wrong with black powder, and it is cheaper than using pellets. I'd stick with 2fg. You didn't mention the rifling twist. A few older in-lines were indeed intended for patched round balls.
I once worked in a sporting goods store (1970's) and we sold Century Arms products. Back then as I recall, one of their products, a smooth bore flintlock, was recalled. Most of their stuff was fair to nice.
See if you can get another black powder shooter to meet you and give you some tips as you go through the process of cleaning and loading at the range. Whatever, you do, stay within the load reccommendations of the manufacturer. Some guns will take all kinds of abusive loads, some won't take any and with disastrous affect.
The NMLRA web site has some instructional guides avaailable on line, I think under publications.
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1,957 Posts
I would not think a inline will shoot patch round ball that well more like a bullet/sabot.
I would try hornady 240 mag: with some loose powder,I would start with 70 grains and go up from there.
I also would make a note never leaveany air gap between the bullet and powder.I would clean te barrel drop the charge then seat the bullet sabot and mark your ramrod.
i aslo would never run a dry patch down the bore after you fire a shot otherwise you won't get the ramrod out of the barrel.
just a few tips I am sure there will be more to come from other board members
I would try hornady 240 mag: with some loose powder,I would start with 70 grains and go up from there.
I also would make a note never leaveany air gap between the bullet and powder.I would clean te barrel drop the charge then seat the bullet sabot and mark your ramrod.
i aslo would never run a dry patch down the bore after you fire a shot otherwise you won't get the ramrod out of the barrel.
just a few tips I am sure there will be more to come from other board members
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What should you do with a new inline? Sell it & buy a flinter!!
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Goody First Congrats on the free inline . I like flint myself . You do get the last season with a flint lock but hay it was free and at that price you should not pass it up . I would take it out and find out what it likes as charge goes start low with my flinter I started out with 50 grains of 2f and worked up and found out it likes it at 80 grains . I can take my flinter up to 150 and I did it once . Yes allot of smoke but it was not grouping like it was at 80 . Finding the right loads is half the fin of these smoke poles . Have fun and good luck .
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All three of my inlines have round ball barrels. Two are very old, the newest, from the early 1980's has a 1:32 twist for a 32 caliber.
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