Ream a .54 cal

[joeboleo1]

Would it be possible to have a Lyman GPR or Trade rifle in .54 caliber reamed to a smoothbore? Wasn't sure if barrel would still be thick enough. Figured it may be a way to get my feet wet while saving for a semi-custom smoothie.

 

[davy]

I would think it would be okay .. but why bother? I think you can locate a smooth replacement barrel for it .. have you checked with Green Mountain? Costwise you might be close. :thumbsup:

Better yet just sell that rifle, and use that money with some other added, to get your dream gun!

Davy

 

[CoyoteJoe]

It's not quite so simple as just reaming it out. You first have to bore with a tapered spiral bit to get rid of the lands, then ream and polish it smooth, not inexpensive work. But a gun built to be a rifle does not make a very good basis for a smoothbore, the weight, balance, stock dimensions, butt shape, all are wrong for a shotgun. I'd suggest you save your money and get a smoothbore that is really built to be a smoothbore.

 

[joeboleo1]

Thanks for the info guys. Guess I will start saving. Thanks again

 

[tom hargrove]

It's not quite so simple as just reaming it out. You first have to bore with a tapered spiral bit to get rid of the lands, then ream and polish it smooth, not inexpensive work. But a gun built to be a rifle does not make a very good basis for a smoothbore, the weight, balance, stock dimensions, butt shape, all are wrong for a shotgun. I'd suggest you save your money and get a smoothbore that is really built to be a smoothbore.

THEN BY THAT LOGIC IT WOULD BE POINTLESS TO PUT A G.M. SMOOTHBORE BBL ON A- T/C,

 

[Capt. Jas.]

That is correct Two-bellys unless you are going to aim it, mount it, and shoot it like like a rifle.

 

[Bearbait2]

Merely next in line for comment:
Hmmmmmmm....
GM .54cal smoothbore barrel works just fine for us on our Trade Rifle; much to the chagrin of numerous Squirrels, Hares and various types of Grouse.
I'm too lazy to grind/sand out another barrel.
Looking forward to larger game with PRB.
Best Wishes

 

[CoyoteJoe]

[THEN BY THAT LOGIC IT WOULD BE POINTLESS TO PUT A G.M. SMOOTHBORE BBL ON A- T/C,

I wouldn't say it is pointless, just that it makes a very poor shotgun.

 

[roundball]

I don't think we can make an across the board statement like that because there are so many variables to the fit of any long arm...I have GM's .54cal Flint smoothbore and two GM .62cal Flint smoothbores...all drop-in barrels for TC Hawken stocks.

I just slip on one of those rubber recoil pad boots when I want to use them for any kind of wing shooting which adds a good inch LOP and flattens out the buttstock so there no problem mounting/shooting them...experimented with trap & skeet targets very well, then went after and shot crows & doves...plus the normal still targets of squirrel, turkey, and deer with them...pretty versatile barrels really.

 

[Bearbait2]

Mr. roundball,
Have to agree. Ours is serving us well.
Best Wishes

 

[Deadeye]

I agree also, I have a 12 ga drop in and a .54 bored out to 20 ga. that I use in a TC stock. The comb is a little high on the TC stock but I believe I do shoot a rifle and a shotgun the same
way so there is no more problem shooting one than the other.

 

[Denny/Oh]

I have't measured a .54 barrel like this but I have a suggestion.

If the lands are .540 and the rifling is not too deep a standard 9/16" reamer should suffice for the job. You could squeeze a few more .001's using an expanding reamer or hone the hole.

If you have a buddy who is a machinist or toolmaker it may be reasonable. If you take the barrel to a shop it will probably cost too much or they will give you the old liability story on top of a ridiculous cost.