Re-bore Limits?

[Songwriter]

Provided there is enough barrel thickness, what is the minimum enlargement possible on a rifle re-bore? Do you just have to go big enough to remove the existing lands? For example, would re-boring a .50 to .54 typically be doable?
Thanks in advance!

 

[Eric Krewson]

I had a 15/16" TC barrel bored from .50 to .54 as well as a C weight Rice barrel bored from .50 to .54. It depends on who made the barrel and what size it is.

I checked the Rice Barrel page, 13/16" to .45, 7/8" to 50, 15/16" to 54, B weight Barrel to .50, C weight to .54, D weight to 58.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Only ask it to be done by a reputable reborer. Bobby Hoyt has a top notch reputation. Reportedly he will not enlarge beyond safe limits. Give him a call.

 

[Songwriter]

Thanks for the info. Called Mr Hoyt a few times yesterday and this morning. I'll keep trying.
Until I get him, any guesses on what a re-bore would cost? It's a 30" barrel going from .50 cal fast twist to .54 cal slow twist.

 

[Jasonb1911]

Thanks for the info. Called Mr Hoyt a few times yesterday and this morning. I'll keep trying.
Until I get him, any guesses on what a re-bore would cost? It's a 30" barrel going from .50 cal fast twist to .54 cal slow twist.

It's also going to depend on the size of the breech plug. I just got a barrel back from him that I was going to go up from .50 to .54 and he wasn't able to do it because the breech plug was too small. Ended up getting it sleeved down to .45 with a fast twist. All together it cost me less than $200 including shipping to and from. You're going to have to talk to him and tell him what you have and what you want to do. He will point you in the right direction.

 

[Songwriter]

Thanks guys! I'll get hold of him eventually to discuss.

 

[SDSmlf]

Provided there is enough barrel thickness, what is the minimum enlargement possible on a rifle re-bore? Do you just have to go big enough to remove the existing lands? For example, would re-boring a .50 to .54 typically be doable?
Thanks in advance!

In conversations with Mr. Hoyt about TC barrels specifically, he told me that ‘usually’ he could go to 58 caliber rifled bore or 60 caliber smooth bore with a 1” across the flats barrel, as long as screw holes and dovetails weren’t too deep. On other manufacturers’ barrels, basically the same factors plus the breech plug, as previously mentioned.

 

[Grimord]

Thanks guys! I'll get hold of him eventually to discuss.

Your best bet to contact him is to call first thing in the morning before he starts up the machines in his shop.