Making a short carbine

[grndhntr]

I've been kicking around this idea for a while, that is, to cut down the barrel on my TC Renegade to make a short carbine. If I cut the barrel down to about 16", it would reduce the mass weight to about 6# (much easier to carry in the field). I realize that this should make it kick more, be less accurate at long distance, and reduce the velocity. My idea is to have a ML for shorter (under 30-40 yds.) hunting shots. Would the rifling twist still be OK for PRBs in the shorter barrel? I believe it is 1:48 in the Renegade. If I do this, I would add a tang sight so that my distance between sight (I can't remember what that is called right now) would still be good. Can you guys think of any other problems that I might have doing this? Thanks.

 

[grndhntr]

Oh, another question I had was: Would I need to reduce the max. powder load? I know that pistols won't take as much powder and this would be right between a rifle and most pistols.

 

[Swtodd]

I like the idea, remove any excess wood from the stock too, maybe shorten length of pull. It wont have the power of the original barrel, but 50 yds and under wont be a problem. Your sight radius is a little shorter, but so is the range (50yds). Is your rifle .50 or .54?
I have trouble walking, and wouldn't want to carry any excess weight, even down here. Just my $.02
You'll have to experiment with the load, it will only burn so much, and spit the rest out the front.

steve

 

[nkbj]

This is "Ren" with a GM .50 fast twist. It's kinda like a long barrel pistol with a shoulder stock.

Paper patched hollow base from Ren.

 

[grndhntr]

Mine is a .50

 

[Swtodd]

What does "Ren" weigh, and how long is the barrel? I like it.

steve

 

Grndhtr,
I have a full blown (carved with patch box) full stock with a 22" barrel with 1-48 ROT. I use 75 grains of 3F for deer and have made kills between 50-75 yards.
Mark

 

[nkbj]

What does "Ren" weigh, and how long is the barrel? I like it.

steve

I'd have to weigh it when I get home. The barrel is a 1990's GM 22" short long range hunter (giggle factor is pretty high on that one). The sling is sewed up by my better 2/3's out of some strap from wallyworld.
You know, any more I've come to look upon Renegades as great platforms to work with, for barrels flint and percussion. Not the best thing that ever came along but just simple, handy, durable and versatile. Great to have around.

Been trying to talk myself into a .47 caliber to use with some of those .476 pistol slugs like Lee makes a 400 grain mold for. Yeah, I know it'd be nothing but another version of a maxihunter but it looks like fun. Could probably make it work with a middle of the road twist and still use my .465 round ball mold too. Maybe a tapered 30" or longer flinter barrel... I'm gonna hush and go to bed.

 

[cas]

I always wanted to buy another T/C New Englander and cut the barrel down to 12 inches or so. The only thing that keeps me from doing so is the legal aspect of it.

I KNOW it's legal, I'm just concerned about bumping into some other yahoo that doesn't.

 

[Deadeye]

Some Fish & Game Depts. require certain lengths for hunting. In Utah muzzleloaders can only have one barrel and it must be at least 18" for big game and no handguns for big game. I have 3 shorties, one 19" and two 21"ers. They're very handy and plenty accurate for the distance most deer are shot.
Deadeye

 

[grndhntr]

OK, my next question is: Should I try this modification on my own? I think I could get a square cut with my miter saw and a metal cutting blade. Then I would need something to get that bevel cut to the bore (crown?). Then I would need to get a front sight. Would it be easier to drill/tap screw on a new sight or cut a new dovetail for the old sight? What do you guys think?

 

[crockett]

Some of it depends on the laws in your state, if a 16" barrel is a "handgun" then you would need to see if you can hunt with it.
On the rate of twist, it is my understanding that a pistol needs a faster rate of twist so I don't know how cutting the barrel to 16" will impact accuracy.
And there will be the lost of velocity.
And a shorter sighting radius for making shots
And, so....IMHO, I wouldn't do it.

 

[grndhntr]

Crocket, The game laws here in Co. do not state a barrel length so 16" would be legal to hunt with. I don't think that 1:48 would work for conical bullets with a 16" barrel but I think it might be about the same as a slower twist rate for PRBs. If I added a tang sight, my sight radius would be nearly identical-about 19".

 

[grndhntr]

So, what about doing it on my own. Has anyone here cut down a barrel at home?

 

[arcticap]

Crocket, The game laws here
in Co. do not state a barrel length so 16"
would be legal to hunt with. I don't think
that 1:48 would work for conical bullets with
a 16" barrel but I think it might be about
the same as a slower twist rate for PRBs. If
I added a tang sight, my sight radius would
be nearly identical-about 19".

I'm not familiar with Colorado law, but
the legal definition of what constitutes
a rifle may not be written in the game laws.
The game laws may only specify that a rifle
be used. But the definition of what constitutes
a rifle may mirror the Federal long gun definition
for firearms if Colorado doesn't have
its own state definition.

In Connecticut, a Conservation officer told
me that muzzle loaders are interpreted as
being rifles or pistols based on the same
state law that defines the length of a
firearms long gun barrel. And our game law
does specify that a long gun must be used.
BTW, a 16 inch barrel would be a long gun
in CT since our state law specifies 12 inches
or more, but not every state defines it the
same.
It would be recommended that anyone who
is unsure to ask their state game
enforcement division about what length
barrel constitutes a legal muzzle loader
for the season that they intend to hunt.

 

[grndhntr]

Well, maybe I should make the barrel about 20". That would knock about 1.2# off the weight and make it much less front-heavy. That should be a legal rifle in every state, right?