New BP Rifle

KTB14 · December 10, 2014, 03:58 PM

I just got my first BP from a shop on trade. It is a Ultra-Hi in 44. I was wondering if anyone could tell me anything about it, particularly the rate of twist.

KTB14 · December 10, 2014, 07:41 PM

And what size of ball do I need? Can I us the same ones as a 44 revolver. Thanks.

DD4lifeusmc · December 10, 2014, 07:42 PM

personally never heard of it.
A little more info?

google search only comes up with a 45 caliber
Miroku made and is a traditional side lock.
Quality was questionable according to some reviews

Hawg · December 10, 2014, 07:57 PM

.430 ball with a .010 patch. They were made by Miroku. Miroku does make some very fine guns but they will make guns to customer specs also and Ultra Hi's specs weren't so hot.

KTB14 · December 10, 2014, 08:00 PM

Thank you very much

robhof · December 10, 2014, 08:03 PM

Hawg nailed it, Miroku made b/p guns for many US importers and the quality was all over the place. Had a friend that had a Tennessee rifle from DGW and it was well made and shot well. I have handled many of their pistols and shot some, most needed fitting and work to get the best performance. Their flinters tend to to not spark well, at least the ones I shot didn't. The only way to know is to shoot it.

KTB14 · December 10, 2014, 08:24 PM

How do I tell what model it is? Its a long stock with a brass patch box a caplock.

Hawg · December 10, 2014, 08:38 PM

"Kentucky" most likely.

KTB14 · December 10, 2014, 08:51 PM

Ok thank you

MikeD81 · December 28, 2014, 03:45 PM

This thread perked my interest because I recently picked up a similar rifle (Euroarms .44 cal Kentucky Jaeger). I have the .430 mold and .010 patches but I was wondering what you guys would recommend for a load. I was thinking like 50gr of fff. Thoughts?

Also, how important are lubed patches? I bought them lubed because thats what they had but is that important? can you shoot them dry?

thanks.

Mike.

robhof · December 28, 2014, 04:41 PM

The old rule of thumb was to start with grain equal to caliber 44=44gr. and work up from there, usually not to exceed twice caliber, that was in an old Italian kit gun that I built in the 60's. Dry patches will be extremely difficult to load and become more difficult as residue builds up, lube keeps the residue soft and aids in reloading and cleaning. Spit works in a pinch.

mehavey · December 28, 2014, 04:50 PM

Start w/ 50 and go towards 85 grains 3Fg. Look for best group and stop there.

As far as "lubed" patches go, I recommend starting with simple "spit" moistened
patching (pillow ticking) as one of the best patch lubes ever devised.

Swab down-and-back up with another moistened patch between loading the next
charge/ball. That gets 90% of the fouling and leaves the rest softened to where
the next ball can be seated w/o issue.

Hawg · December 28, 2014, 07:37 PM

I use olive oil for patch lube.

December 10, 2014, 03:58 PM	#1
KTB14 Member Join Date: September 2, 2013 Location: Goldendale, Washington Posts: 15	New BP Rifle I just got my first BP from a shop on trade. It is a Ultra-Hi in 44. I was wondering if anyone could tell me anything about it, particularly the rate of twist. __________________ "I have had my back broke once, and my hip twice...and on my worst day i could beat the hell out of you" - John Wayne

December 10, 2014, 07:41 PM	#2
KTB14 Member Join Date: September 2, 2013 Location: Goldendale, Washington Posts: 15	And what size of ball do I need? Can I us the same ones as a 44 revolver. Thanks. __________________ "I have had my back broke once, and my hip twice...and on my worst day i could beat the hell out of you" - John Wayne

December 10, 2014, 07:42 PM	#3
DD4lifeusmc Senior Member Join Date: October 12, 2012 Location: Wyoming Posts: 351	new BP rifle personally never heard of it. A little more info? google search only comes up with a 45 caliber Miroku made and is a traditional side lock. Quality was questionable according to some reviews

December 10, 2014, 08:00 PM	#5
KTB14 Member Join Date: September 2, 2013 Location: Goldendale, Washington Posts: 15	Thank you very much __________________ "I have had my back broke once, and my hip twice...and on my worst day i could beat the hell out of you" - John Wayne

December 10, 2014, 08:03 PM	#6
robhof Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2007 Posts: 712	robhof Hawg nailed it, Miroku made b/p guns for many US importers and the quality was all over the place. Had a friend that had a Tennessee rifle from DGW and it was well made and shot well. I have handled many of their pistols and shot some, most needed fitting and work to get the best performance. Their flinters tend to to not spark well, at least the ones I shot didn't. The only way to know is to shoot it.

December 10, 2014, 07:57 PM	#4
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	.430 ball with a .010 patch. They were made by Miroku. Miroku does make some very fine guns but they will make guns to customer specs also and Ultra Hi's specs weren't so hot.

December 10, 2014, 08:24 PM	#7
KTB14 Member Join Date: September 2, 2013 Location: Goldendale, Washington Posts: 15	How do I tell what model it is? Its a long stock with a brass patch box a caplock. __________________ "I have had my back broke once, and my hip twice...and on my worst day i could beat the hell out of you" - John Wayne

December 10, 2014, 08:38 PM	#8
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	"Kentucky" most likely.

December 10, 2014, 08:51 PM	#9
KTB14 Member Join Date: September 2, 2013 Location: Goldendale, Washington Posts: 15	Ok thank you __________________ "I have had my back broke once, and my hip twice...and on my worst day i could beat the hell out of you" - John Wayne

December 28, 2014, 03:45 PM	#10
MikeD81 Junior Member Join Date: December 17, 2014 Posts: 1	This thread perked my interest because I recently picked up a similar rifle (Euroarms .44 cal Kentucky Jaeger). I have the .430 mold and .010 patches but I was wondering what you guys would recommend for a load. I was thinking like 50gr of fff. Thoughts? Also, how important are lubed patches? I bought them lubed because thats what they had but is that important? can you shoot them dry? thanks. Mike.

December 28, 2014, 04:41 PM	#11
robhof Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2007 Posts: 712	robhof The old rule of thumb was to start with grain equal to caliber 44=44gr. and work up from there, usually not to exceed twice caliber, that was in an old Italian kit gun that I built in the 60's. Dry patches will be extremely difficult to load and become more difficult as residue builds up, lube keeps the residue soft and aids in reloading and cleaning. Spit works in a pinch.

December 28, 2014, 04:50 PM	#12
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,894	Start w/ 50 and go towards 85 grains 3Fg. Look for best group and stop there. As far as "lubed" patches go, I recommend starting with simple "spit" moistened patching (pillow ticking) as one of the best patch lubes ever devised. Swab down-and-back up with another moistened patch between loading the next charge/ball. That gets 90% of the fouling and leaves the rest softened to where the next ball can be seated w/o issue.

December 28, 2014, 07:37 PM	#13
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	I use olive oil for patch lube.