Hello /k/, I am writing a story and would like some feedback please if my idea is feasible for a firearm. In the story a small number of people have to start out from scratch, they have their modern theorethical knowledge but nothing else. The goal is to make a firearm that is reliable and can take down big game. They are a couple years in, currently they can manufacture iron and low quantities high grade steel.Current constraints are the inability to manufacture mercury fulminate or lead azide nor can they draw thin-walled brass cartridges.My idea was they come up with an anachronistic rifle: single-shot, lever-actuated falling block action with a flintlock. .60 caliber, the barrel would be rifled, 32-inch long, for now wrought iron. Steel is used only for the mainspring and frizzen spring. For munition a paper cartridge. As far as I understand they would need to add a gas seal on the face of the block to mitigate leaks from the breech.Could you tell me how retarded is this for a first gun for a budding civilisation that needs force multipliers against megafauna? Feel free to suggest upgrades to be implemented at the start/down the line.
>>64765784>manufacture iron
No idea, but you better not be like the other faggots who come here and ask questions then never post their stories
here's another design to look into>https://youtu.be/vpW054cVfHc
>>64765786I am sorry, I have meant manufacture iron tools. I plan on posting it once it is done.
>>64765811Thanks for the recommendation.
>>64765784what are their current defenses against that megafauna? mankind eradicated several massive species with nothing but sharp rocks on sticks. what exactly is preventing the same from happening over there, especially with "modern theoretical knowledge"?conversely, if they're that big and dangerous or whatever, why stick to small arms? why not make some dogshit cannon? if it being man-portable is important, why not a culverin?>why would a budding civilization explicitly need a RIFLE as a force multiplier against non-intelligent opponents?if they were fighting off other people, then yes, a rifle would be worthwhile, but even then, assuming the other side doesn't also have firearms, why not a crossbow? cheap, easy to make, easy to spam.unless, of course, you forgot to mention something about your setting? like, say, some form of force of ability that falls outside conventional physics, that would let said adversaries perform feats not possible in our world? something like... magic?
>>64765784When SM Stirling did this in Island in the Sea of Time, he just stuck with the original rolling block pattern with it's very, very simple internal firing mechanism and black powder, brass cartridges. Ironically simpler tech than a firelock. Still want to read your story, too.
>>64765851not OP, but it's because guns are just better
>>64765851They have a walled settlement for the time being, the wall is palisade. The megafauna is dinosaurs, they are in the late cretaceous period. It is basically a thought experiment than ran wild, I am learning about various industrial processes as they go along from knapping rocks to casting bronze and further down the line. The walls are already planned to be armed with oversized swivel guns filled with shrapnel.And i would like to see expeditions heading out to look for more resources, armed with guns. Only I would not want to handwave it away with lol they made muskets.Also, rule of cool. I am looking for a finished part, but my notes are a mess. Will post it as soon as I find it.
Found it. Also, what would be a fitting name for the rifle in your opinion? https://paste-bin.org/rkshj3p9qa
Have you read the Long Earth OP? Similar ish setting where people can travel to pararell earth's with items but ferrous metals are destroyed in the process. People take bronze tools and equipment them manufacture iron stuff when they get there
>>64765991Not yet, thanks for the rec.
>>64766027(It's shit)
>>64765784Much too complicated. Forget the whole cartridge thing, just have them use muzzleloaders. Remember that in real life people used muzzleloaders for hundreds of years before cartridges became practical. A falling-block flintlock (basically like an early Sharps, etc) would make sense for a later development, not the "first gun".
>>64765851
>>64766049I see, just wanted to start out with something more advanced, thought that breach loading would be it. Seemed like a logical thing for easier future conversions compared to a muzzleloader, without making another rifle from scratch.
>>64766027I was going to add that its not great, the concept just sounded similar. It's got some good ideas to it but they are wasted>>64766029Yeah should have mentioned it isn't actually a great book
For added context, the rifle would be used mainly for hunting, and maybe for an all hands on deck situation when something comes lumbering towards the settlement. The megafauna part was added mainly that it would be hopefully enough to annoy some larger predator enough so it would fuck off. I do not intend them to 1v1 a T-rex
>>64766099Man I need to proofread more.
>>64766106Lmao good luck writing the story in that case, you gonna post the draft? In the least anons can proofread it for you.
>>64765784>That context>Cartridge riflesYeah, nah. Without at least 18th century industrial capabilities you're looking at smoothbore caplocks at the absolute best and more likely flintlocks or matchlocks.>Current constraints are the inability to manufacture mercury fulminate or lead azideYou could go straight to smokeless. Nitric and sulfuric acids go back to the middle ages and you can get cellulose from plant starches. Or you could harvest high-cellulose fibers from some plant and subject it to nitration.>>64766099>The megafauna part was added mainly that it would be hopefully enough to annoy some larger predator enough so it would fuck off. I do not intend them to 1v1 a T-rexIn that case you'd probably be better off with flashbangs and poisons.
>>64765991>destroys ferrous metals >people are fineFUCKING STERLING AND PRATCHETT QUIT THIS STUPID SHIT.
