Guns & Outdoors Forum

The Thunderer was very quiet
You might say it didn't make any noise at all.

I managed to scrounge 2 rounds and unfortunately they were both duds.
On the bright side the primer was well struck.


The springfield on the other hand did make a lot of noise.
By what AL said I did expect it to shoot high.
First 2 shots were about 4" high at 30 yards.

Judging by them I corrected an aimpoint and punched a few big holes.
I can say the ejector still works and took me by surprise it really kicks the shell out.

Now that I know it can shoot I'll try to stretch it out a lot further

Big holes GOOD!!

I might have to really play with the Buffington sight some day and figure out how to use it properly!!
Found this: https://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2012/01 ... ts-part-3/

Yeah, your hooked now!!

sakodude wrote: ↑Sat Aug 05, 2023 11:02 pm Yeah, your hooked now!!

Could be....I was impressed by the start.
I'll have to see if I can do any distance with it.
Kept that propane tank for it.
Test some drops.

Zee said not his thing but I can picture him enjoying one.

Can you still buy the correct bullets for the .41 or do you have to cast them yourself?

mitdr774 wrote: ↑Sun Aug 06, 2023 11:54 am Can you still buy the correct bullets for the .41 or do you have to cast them yourself?

You can still buy the bullets.
I probably won't though
I did want to shoot it just because

It was kind of bought as a two for one deal with a colt Derringer.
I did try the Derringer too with the same result

Now you need working ammo for the Thunderer, an El Paso Soulder rig, some shirt arm garters and a Faro table

Wambli Ska wrote: ↑Sun Aug 06, 2023 5:18 pm Now you need working ammo for the Thunderer, an El Paso Soulder rig, some shirt arm garters and a Faro table

I've got a really nice shoulder rig for a short barreled single action if you know anybody that wants one.....

That is a cool looking gun.

Wambli Ska wrote: ↑Sun Aug 06, 2023 5:18 pm Now you need working ammo for the Thunderer, an El Paso Soulder rig, some shirt arm garters and a Faro table

Just some working ammo to try it would be nice.
I may try to get a few more from that box to try.

JunkCollector wrote: ↑Sat Aug 05, 2023 11:54 pm
Could be....I was impressed by the start.
I'll have to see if I can do any distance with it.
Kept that propane tank for it.
Test some drops.

Zee said not his thing but I can picture him enjoying one.

Two useful tools for you:

The website for NOE bullet molds gives the blueprint for every mold in their catalog. At the bottom right hand corner of that blueprint is that bullet's estimated B.C. Just find one as close to the bullet you're using and make that your starting SWAG.

Federal has an online ballistic calculator that I've used a lot.

Between them and some chronograph data, you should be able to plot the rifle out pretty well. Be prepared to work in small increments of range. I recently plotted out an approximate trajectory for the 535 grain Postell bullet, which the BPCR competition boys typically launch at subsonic speeds to avoid the "trans-sonic wobblies" as they slow downrange. With a 1000 yard zero, that thing is 50 FEET high at 500 yards, and six feet low at 1025. You might get that arc a little flatter with different slug and propulsion options, but be advised, it's a mortar. The good news is that full case / lightly compressed black powder charges seem to be stupid-consistent in the velocities they give, so once you have the range, wind is likely to be your bigger enemy.

My biggest complaint with the BPCR sighting systems is that they are often EXCEEDINGLY analog, even by my Luddite standards. Instead of well defined quarter-minute clicks, you're likely to be aligning hash marks with a friction dial, or turning a polygonal knob on an external adjustment scope on which one flat presumably equals one MOA or some fraction thereof. All as potentially precise as any other system, but you really have to (a.) know it and (b.) clear your head of those other systems while running it. To that end, your 1884 should have that era's Buffington sight - the ballistic nerd's combat computer of the day. Instructions for such are undoubtedly out there.

Jayhawker wrote: ↑Sun Aug 06, 2023 5:49 pm

Wambli Ska wrote: ↑Sun Aug 06, 2023 5:18 pm Now you need working ammo for the Thunderer, an El Paso Soulder rig, some shirt arm garters and a Faro table

I've got a really nice shoulder rig for a short barreled single action if you know anybody that wants one.....

If that's an open invitation I'd be interested to hear the particulars please.

I'll post some pics in a bit...

Jayhawker wrote: ↑Sun Aug 06, 2023 8:27 pm I'll post some pics in a bit...

Cool love to see it.

This is the shoulder rig that was formerly home to my Birdshead Vaquero (which has gone to a new home)

It was gifted to me and now it's time to pass it on again.

It's made by Mountain Home Leather in Springerville AZ,
It's quality leatherwork..

That has the look
Eventually I think this gun is going to Sako he's a colt boy and pretty enamored its a sheriff's one.