.54???

[Lonegun1894]

I have a GPR FL in .54, and was thinking about picking up a smoothbore barrel for it. I am definitely not giving up my rifled barrel, but you all have me itching for a smoothie. I'm not sure if it would be cheaper to get one thats made smooth or just to smooth it out myself, but what do yall think about making one of these as a smooth bore with rifle sights? Or maybe just a sight up front and filling in the rear dovetail? I have been thinking about just scrapping the project idea and getting something designed to be a smoothbore, but this is one idea that just wont go away permanently. I know I could go to a bigger bore for a little more effective range with shot, but then again, I have never used a 28ga so it just might be able to do anything i need to do anyway. It would mostly be for small game and a little bird hunting, but ive for some reason never been a bird fanatic, and dont see that changing, so most of the use would be for target and small game. Ok, since most of you have more experiance than i do, lets hear what you all have to say. And as i've never used a ML shotgun, yet, dont hesitate to give any input, good or bad about this idea please. Thanks, Y'all.

 

[Rebel]

I would scrap the project and buy a smoothbore. The GPR is a great rifle but the stock design is not conducive to being used as a shotgun.

 

[Wes/Tex]

I've got to go with Rebel on this one. The deeply curved "crescent" butt plate is not real condusive to shotgunning. That type butt plateis best held just on out outside the shoulder/arm joint and makes swinging difficult on a moving target. Look for something with a flat butt plate, it'll serve you a lot better. Good luck.

 

[paulvallandigham]

The stock on your GPR is too straight to be used as a shotgun, as the comb is too high. The rifle stock is designed to have you looking over iron sights. With a shotgun you are better off with less comb, so that you can be looking down the barrel instead. Some people do learn to point a shotgun with a low mount, so there head is way above the stock, and looking 6-12" over the top of the barrel. Some eventually become pretty good shots. But I think you unnecessarily handicap yourself using a rifle stock on a " shotgun ".

That is the problem with the bolt action shotguns that used to be sold in hardware stores. They worked okay with deer slugs, but for hitting moveing targets on the wing, it was more luck than anything else if you hit anything. The stock was working against you.

 

[Mike Brooks]

The shotguns I shoot have far less drop than the rifles I shoot.
A Lyman hawken stock is going to make a poor shoot gun with that buttplate.

 

[roundball]

I have a GPR FL in .54, and was thinking about picking up a smoothbore barrel for it. I am definitely not giving up my rifled barrel, but you all have me itching for a smoothie. I'm not sure if it would be cheaper to get one thats made smooth or just to smooth it out myself, but what do yall think about making one of these as a smooth bore with rifle sights? Or maybe just a sight up front and filling in the rear dovetail? I have been thinking about just scrapping the project idea and getting something designed to be a smoothbore, but this is one idea that just wont go away permanently. I know I could go to a bigger bore for a little more effective range with shot, but then again, I have never used a 28ga so it just might be able to do anything i need to do anyway. It would mostly be for small game and a little bird hunting, but ive for some reason never been a bird fanatic, and dont see that changing, so most of the use would be for target and small game. Ok, since most of you have more experiance than i do, lets hear what you all have to say. And as i've never used a ML shotgun, yet, dont hesitate to give any input, good or bad about this idea please. Thanks, Y'all.

I had a similar interest and money always being a consideration, I decided to get a GM Flint smoothbore drop-in barrel for a TC Hawken as it was a very inexpensive way to experiment with blackpowder smoothbores which I knew nothing about or if I'd like them, etc.

The curved butplate only becomes an issue with fast snapshooting / wingshooting type shots, and my simple remedy was to buy a $5 slip-on rubber recoil pad...it not only creates the flat butt but also adds another inch lengh-of-pull which I liked...shot trap and skeet targets, doves, and crows.

But I just use the Hawken in its normal configuration when going hunting for anything where still shots are the norm like deer, squirrels, turkey, etc.

The approach works so well for me that I've since added other smoothbore barrels in other caliber/gauge sizes and have had a ball with them for 2-3 years now...the turkey picture below has a .62cal/.20ga barrel on that Hawken.

 

[ryoung14]

Might want to start hitting the auction sites, Lonegun. Look for one of the .56 smoothbore Renegades. They come up fairly often, usually in very good shape at reasonable prices. Not a lot of demand for them.

The Renegade's got something close to a shotgun butt, so the crescent stock won't be an issue. Might not be so good in the drop dept. as it's designed as a rifle.

If no smoothbores appear, might want to consider getting a Renegade rifle and then buying one of the drop-in barrels Roundball mentioned. Little more expensive going this route, however.

Another option would be to look for a TC New Englander and then pick up a 12 Ga. shotgun barrel for it from TC. Not as classy as a smoothbore Renegade, but great fun to shoot and a good game getter.
FWIW
Bob

 

[Rebel]

Actually for a smoothbore i think the New Englander is better than the Renegade since it only has a single trigger instead of the set triggers like the Renegades. Makes it easier for wing shooting not having that extra trigger in the way. JMO

 

[Capt. Jas.]

Mr. Vallandigham ,

While I agree the GPR stock may not be the ultimate for wingshooting, I must respectfully take exception with everthing else in your post.
Correct comb height is only determined by the build and mount of an individual shooter and in relation to the other stock measurements. A blanket statement that a lower comb for wingshooting is needed is just not correct information.

Most factory rifle stocks are much too low for me and there are many others as well . All factory field stocks for shotguns are too low for me and there are many others who just dont know how to properly mount a shotgun.
They are purposefully made that way to allow "most" users to adjust themselves to a generic stock.

Lonegun1894,
If you are planning to use the smoothbore for nothing more than patched round balls and sitting turkeys, you should not have a problem with those applications by using your existing stock.

 

[lonedave]

Lots of good information here. I'm sure everyone would agree with Capt Jas that all of us are built differently. Something you might try with your Lyman is to close your eyes and throw the gun to your shoulder like you would naturally. Open your eyes and see how things are lined up. Do this several times and try not to mentally adjust the rifle to your eye. This is by no means a perfect system, but it might give you a better idea of where you're headed and whether the curved butt gives you any problems too.

 

[spaethjm]

I just put a smooth bore 54 gm barrel on my lyman deer stalker flinter comb ia a little high but it has standard sight It shoots PRB very well.

 

[Lonegun1894]

you all have good points and i do appreciate the insights provided. While I do plan on someday puting together a fowler, I also want a "smooth rifle" and this GPR is the most comfortable rifle I have fired, so it seems to be the natural choice. So I guess what I am saying is you are all absolutely right. :bow: HAving said that, I havent seen anything that would discourage me from going forward with this plan, and i hope none of you are offended about that, but as was stated above, we are all built differently and what is comfortable for one, may not be for another. So I guess the best way for me to find out is to go ahead with this and report back. I still think you all made very valid points and you are all right. Thank you all, and you did bring up several points that never crossed my mind so hopefully I can do this right by using everyones input. Thanks, Yall.