72 caliber barrels

[Kevinfoerster]

Hi guys,

I'm working on setting up a flintlock build. I've always wanted a flintlock to deer hunt with and always want something a bit unique. I know all calibers can cleanly kill deer. This is just about creating a unique gun. Does anyone know where I can source a 72 caliber octagon barrel, rifled of course. I've spoken with the usual candidates and am waiting to hear back (rice, colerain). Green mountain said they dont make them. October country muzzlelosding says this doesn't exist, no barrel no tang to fit, no breech to fit. I find this hard to believe. Anyone out there have any ideas.

 

[Eterry]

I'm not aware of a rifled 72 cal. A 12 ga rifled barrel would be close, but probably not the length or twist you want.
How about a smoothbore 72? That's a lot easier to do.

 

[Many Klatch]

I had a .65 caliber rifle for a number of years before I managed to sell it. The big bore was deadly accurate out to 50 yards but I never could hit anything at 100 yards with it. That punkin ball had a trajectory like a rainbow. My personal opinion is that a .54 is plenty for a deer. I am afraid that you are going to have a rifle that weighs 12 to 15 pounds that will need 120 grains of powder for an accurate load. That big a charge can get painful after a short time.

 

[dave_person]

Hi,
You might try Charlie Burton at FCI Barrel Company. A friend has a 70 caliber Hawken rifle made by John Bergman I think. He bought it for some of the same reasons you expressed, something unique. He doesn't shoot it much because the novelty wore off very quickly.

dave

 

[Mark Herman]

Kevin,
I recently finished a half stock percussion .72 caliber rifle. I used Oregon barrel and a Pete Allen action. Can send pics if you want.

 

[fleener]

I have a English Sporting rifle in .73 cal. It is an original, so no help on the barrel.

The rifle is a light rifle, not sure what it weights, but less then 10 lbs I think. I shoot 86 grains of 2F in it. It is an accurate rifle that I would not hesitate to shoot something out to 75 - 100 yards.

Fleener

 

[gemmer]

I have a .72 with Forsyth rifling made by Bill Moody, but he's retired. Bob Hoyt might make one.

 

[gemmer]

My .72 American Jaeger.

 

[jbwilliams3]

Charles Burton has up to .69 available in rifled bore. You could always ask if he could do bigger. Bobby Hoyt is another option.

 

[nkbj]

My dinky little .61 bore Hawken with a 120 grains of FFg shoots pretty flat at 1533FPS.
Mister Hoyt put a 60" rifling in it with rounded bottoms.
He can most likely do a .70 bore in whatever style of rifling you would prefer, square narrow land or round bottom grooves.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

I recently finished a half stock percussion .72 caliber rifle. I used Oregon barrel …,

Oregon is good.
You could also contact:
Long Hammock Barrels
Address: 1066 NE 130th Ave, Oxford, FL 34484

Phone: (352) 748-7373

LD

 

[Mark Herman]

I think Oregon barrels are available through the Emporium Gun Works.

 

[rp77469]

Bill Sumpter, late of Marble Falls, Texas had a 0.85 caliber Hawken style Elk rifle made in the 80's. Charge was in the 120-150 range. I don't remember the twist, if I ever knew it. You checked your fillings after each shot. He made meat with it.

 

[Eterry]

Kevin,
I recently finished a half stock percussion .72 caliber rifle. I used Oregon barrel and a Pete Allen action. Can send pics if you want.

I for one would love to see pics...please post for us to drool over during lock-down.

 

[Kevinfoerster]

I have decided to go with a 62 caliber, 36 inch rice barrel. Main reason I decided to do this is I sont really need a 72 cal. A 62 cal is more than enough, still a great as t overall caliber and recoil is more manageable. I'm going to have rick at gobbler knob rifles build it and am looking forward to shooting it. I decided to go with a 62 cal as I could take it bison hunting in the future if I draw another free range tag.

 

[Rudyard]

62 or twenty bore pretty much was historically normal for Volunteer type target shooters being the then Gov't Baker calibre .Didn't naturally follow you need heaps of powder a great may' Deer rifles' where made 16 bore but took a relativley light powder charge . I have a 1/4 pitched Nock rifle of 12 bore re breached by Squires & Percussioned suited to hunting larger game but not target . I think its more placement of the ball rather than mass but 20 bore isn't objectionable for hunting we all have our different ideas, all part of the great allure of BP shooting. Regards Rudyard

 

[Mark Herman]

Eatery,
Can't post but can send some pic if you want to post them. Need an email.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

He made meat with it.

Hamburger ?

LD

 

[rp77469]

Probably gutted it, skinned it, smoked half the meat, and ground up all the rest, all with one shot.

 

[ohio ramrod]

My nephew has a 72 caliber oregon barreled rifle that he has had for about twenty years and it shoots well.