Converting .32 to .45?

[John Scott Hurt]

Looking for advice/insight on the feasibility of having my .32 Dixie Tn Squirrel Rifle enlarged to .45 caliber. Barrel is 7/8" across the flats.

Who does this kind of work? Cost?

John

 

[Grizzly Adams]

It's quite a bit of work to bore out a barrel and re rifle it. It is possible but it may cost as much, almost as much or more than simply purchasing a new barrel. Personally I would use it as an excuse for another gun :grin:

 

[galamb]

Yes, Bobby Hoyt could do it for you, you have enough "barrel" there to make her a 45.

But as noted, by the time you send it to him, pay to have it bored/rifled, wait the few months for him to get to it and then pay to have it shipped back your wallet could be 200 bucks lighter.

Now if the rifle is special to you and you plan on keeping her well past your days, and have otherwise kept good care of it, it could be an "inexpensive" 45 for ya that you know the used history of.

Otherwise, you could spend most of what it would be worth "after the refit".

 

[gunmaker43]

7/8" is a common size, you COULD swap it for a .45 bbl. but still in 200 buck range either way....Tom

 

[wulf]

And.....don't forget the breech plug.....& tang.
Wulf

 

[Captjoel]

I have also noticed that lately it seems that a 32 caliber Dixie rifle (with a good bore) is more apt to sell quicker and for more money than a 45 cal rifle. The smaller calibers have been more in demand on the auction sites these days. As others have said, I would keep it as it is and find another rifle in 45 caliber.

 

[jamesthomas]

What he said, I think if you put it for sale either on here or the ALR it will go fast. There are always folks looking for a nice rifle like that to start their kids off shooting blackpowder, or to have a small game rifle.

 

[MSW]

i'll agree with what looks to a consensus: keep the rifle you already have and get a .45 which you want.

out of curiosity, is there a reason you want a .45? if you want to put Bambi in the 'fridge, I'd go with a .54 ... if you want a 'plinker,' I'd lean to a .40 ... mind you, I have everything but a .32, so it's easy for me to be a "Monday morning quarterback," but you can never be too rich, too thin, or have too many muzzleloaders!

make good smoke!

 

[Billnpatti]

"you can never be too rich, too thin, or have too many muzzleloaders!"

Well, yeah, you can be too rich. Look what being rich has done to Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber. You can also be too thin. Look what it did for Karen Carpenter. Too many muzzleloaders? Well, okay you got me there. :surrender: :haha: :haha:

 

[Col. Batguano]

"you can never be too rich, too thin, or have too many muzzleloaders!"

Well, yeah, you can be too rich. Look what being rich has done to Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber. You can also be too thin. Look what it did for Karen Carpenter. Too many muzzleloaders? Well, okay you got me there. :surrender: :haha: :haha:

:thumbsup: This is just the reason to get yourself another gun. You can't have too many.

 

[shmrck1]

Who does this kind of work? Cost?
John

John,
Would cost more than a very good lightly
used .45. Plus you could maybe shoot it to see what you might be buying.JMHO
snake-eyes :hatsoff:

 

[nchawkeye]

Back in the late '80s, when I finished my .54 I had a Bob Watts gun in .45...I sent it to Ed Rayle and had him rebarrel it to .40...Instead of having someone bore out your .32 I would have them make a new barrel, then hold on to the .32 incase you want to use that barrel or sell it later...

Oh yea, the .45 had a 13/16 Douglas barrel, I've held on to it...

 

[John Scott Hurt]

Thanks for all the response, I'm keeping it as is and saving for a new rifle in a larger caliber.

John

 

[nwtradegun]

disagree on bobby hoyt listed cost. he bored and rifle a barrel for me for 85 plus shipping.