What to do with a "spare" GPR... Rebore?

Adam in WI · Feb 14, 2024

I have a question for the folks that have gone through the reboring process. I have a .54 Colonial on order and I'm wondering if there's anything interesting I can do with my current .54 GPR to keep me from wanting to just sell it. I already put an L&R lock on it, so what's a few more bucks if it turns into something cool, right? I've heard .58 is commonly done but I'm wondering just how big you can go on the factory barrel. Could a .60 or .62 smoothbore be done?

Grimord · Feb 15, 2024

Send it off to Bobby Hoyt, He will be able to determine how large you can re-bore and still be safe. .60 smooth bore is usually possible, but it depends on the depth of any barrel screws and dovetails.

longcruise · Feb 15, 2024

The GPR at 15/16 is probably pretty much maxed out at 54. Call Hoyt, he will have the answer.

On another note, it's never a bad thing to have two 54s. I have three and have had occasion to loan them.

Adam in WI · Feb 15, 2024

I don't think loaning is an issue as I am the only one in my immediate sphere that's smart enough to shoot a rocklock lol

:ghostly:

nkbj · Feb 15, 2024

Lots of original half stocks have inch plus thick barrels and less than half inch bores.
But, that said, our fore-bearers had us beat on upper body strength and they generally didn't live as long either.
My forty bore Great Plains Rifle is right at the max for me to hold steady. I have an extra left hand .54 GHP drop-in barrel that could be a dandy hunting piece as a .55 or .56 smooth rifle but I'd enjoy it more in .445 caliber slaughtering feral tomato cans with hollow base bullets.

springfield art · Feb 15, 2024

Boy, many guys would love to have the 'problem' of a 'spare' GPR!!

Adam in WI · Feb 15, 2024

To be clear, I only have the one GPR; but with a Colonial coming in I don't see it getting much use anymore unless it's tuned into something exciting

William Sublette · Feb 15, 2024

Adam in WI said:
To be clear, I only have the one GPR; but with a Colonial coming in I don't see it getting much use anymore unless it's tuned into something exciting

What kind of condition is it in?

I need a 54 percussion GPR, but haven't got around to looking for one yet.

Adam in WI · Feb 15, 2024

Mine

William Sublette said:
What kind of condition is it in?

I need a 54 percussion GPR, but haven't got around to looking for one yet.

Mine is flint....

Jedidiah · Feb 16, 2024

I sent my 54 cakl GPR to Bobby about 7 month ago. I wanted it cut 6 in from 32 to 26 and bored smooth to 60-62 if possible. Bobby called me and said the 15/16th bbl he could bore smooth to 58 cal max and be safe due to sight dovetails and under rib screws etc. He did a great job. He cut the bbl to 26.bored it to 58 smooth and cut and refit the ramrod under rib etc, all for $130. You can't do better than that. It is lighter, handles better, easier to carry and fast to reload. You need a barrel redone, Bobby Hoyt is the one you need to call. IMHO, YMMV

wganz · Feb 16, 2024

To alleviate you of the stress of your situation, you can forward this extra GPR to me for proper disposal with all appropriate rites. :ghostly:

bajabuc · Friday at 2:09 PM

as I write...I have three spare...a 29 inch 50 cabella's and two 28 inch CVA's. I have paperwork thar calls then Hawken's...but we all know real Hawkens have 2 (two) wedges

springfield art said:
Boy, many guys would love to have the 'problem' of a 'spare'

springfield art · Friday at 5:09 PM

He is

Jedidiah said:
I sent my 54 cakl GPR to Bobby about 7 month ago. I wanted it cut 6 in from 32 to 26 and bored smooth to 60-62 if possible. Bobby called me and said the 15/16th bbl he could bore smooth to 58 cal max and be safe due to sight dovetails and under rib screws etc. He did a great job. He cut the bbl to 26.bored it to 58 smooth and cut and refit the ramrod under rib etc, all for $130. You can't do better than that. It is lighter, handles better, easier to carry and fast to reload. You need a barrel redone, Bobby Hoyt is the one you need to call. IMHO, YMMV

He is a treasure!

Stykbow · Friday at 6:28 PM

I think a fast twist .45 would be pretty exciting. Have a sleeve put in it and make a hotrod, bullet rifle. Yeah, that’s what I’d do. I’m getting all worked up just thinking about it!

brazosland · Saturday at 1:20 PM

Sell it and buy a Hawken more true to the originals in design

andy52 · Saturday at 2:25 PM

If it isn't already switch it to a flinter.

Grenadier1758 · Monday at 3:38 PM

bajabuc said:
as I write...I have three spare...a 29 inch 50 cabella's and two 28 inch CVA's. I have paperwork thar calls then Hawken's...but we all know real Hawkens have 2 (two) wedges

There's a lot more to a real Hawken rifle than two wedges.

bajabuc · Monday at 10:37 PM

Having just watch a talk with a collector of company records I find the Hawken to be pretentious...there were more trade muskets and long rifles sold to trappers than hawkens...like 25 or 30 times more.

RiverRat · Monday at 10:46 PM

Adam in WI said:
I don't think loaning is an issue as I am the only one in my immediate sphere that's smart enough to shoot a rocklock lol

Yea, cap locks can get boring.

What to do with a "spare" GPR... Rebore?

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