This might be a rather ignorant question or maybe it will be enlightening but here goes. Is it possible to interchange barrels on TC rifles? Example could a 45 cal barrel be substituted for my 50? If so how much of a range is possible? 32-???! If this is not doable, I apologize for my ignorance and wasting your time but I am here to learn. Thanks!
Interchangeable barrels?
- Thread starter Imacfrog
- Start date
Help Support Muzzleloading Forum:
If you want to swap barrels you have to make sure that the measurement across the flats is the same, otherwise a more narrower barrel won't fit into your existing stock very well.
Tasbay
40 Cal
As long as the barrel is the same size across the flats I don`t see why not. The guy I bought my T/C 50cal flinter off had a 45cal barrel for it as well, Unfortunatly at the time I didn`t have the funds for both barrels.
Tasbay
40 Cal
yes the eight flats on the barrel should be a inch across the flats from one side to the other
Well, for the 45 and 50 caliber Thompson Center Hawken rifles, the barrels are 15/16" across the flats. For a time there were aftermarket barrels in calibers from 32 to 54 that would "drop in" a T/C Hawken. These instant barrel swap barrels can be found from time to time. Track of the Wolf is also offering some T/C compatible barrels that can drop in. In inventory supply would have to be verified by a phone call. Replacement barrels often have deep grooves and may not be suitable for conical bullets.
I have barrels of .40 (green mountain drop in for balls), .45, and .50 for my TC Hawken. The Renegade uses a larger outside dimension barrel. Yes, 15/16" across the flats for the Hawken. I am thinking about getting a round ball .54 from Track but it is on a way back burner right now. I think TC only made .45 and .50 for the Hawken. GM barrels extend the range a little. The 32 inch long .40 caliber barrel is pretty darn heavy.
My original Renegade (1" across the flats) was a .50 caliber. Over time, I managed to get a .32, .36, .45, .54, .56SB, and .58 barrels for it. It is a very versatile gun from squirrels & rabbits, to the biggest big game found in North America.
You can get pretty much whatever calibres you want in drop-ins. The only problem I have found is that the smaller the calibre; the greater the front-end weight. To some degree, front-heavy adds to stability, at least for a few shots. The problem comes in if you aren't trained up like King Kong, and all those tiny balancing/hold-still muscles get a bit tired. As that happens, the pin-point accuracy and rock-like hold go out the window. OK for hunting, but not so cool for long trail or match shooting where you aren't allowed a rested shot.
I agree with flintlokr 100%. The 32 caliber barrel I had for my Renegade was too heavy for hunting purposes. The barrel weighed over 6# alone. I set that barrel up for bench rest target shooting where it really shined, giving me dime sized groups at 50 yards.
Give yourself a cookie.
jager43478
36 Cl.
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2020
- Messages
- 56
- Reaction score
- 38
Get it relined. Bob Hoyt in Gettysburg Pa. Can make it into a 50 cal.
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2009
- Messages
- 4,628
- Reaction score
- 8,356
So far I have a .40, a couple .45’s, a .50, .54 and .58 in the 15/16” t/c’s. And you’re not wasting anyone’s time here, this is about the most knowledgeable crew on the internet and they’ve always been eager to share their knowledge.
Pete G
76 Cal.
Interchangeable barrels sound like a better idea than it really is. Similar to interchangeable locks between flint and percussion.
