Rebarrel or add Rifiling

[READYPRO1]

Just picked up a new in the box Investarms .54 hawken carbine with the 21" barrel for a song only problem is its a smoothbore instead of the standard 1:24" rifiling.
Being its a carbine my intentions were for a hunting rifle not a PRB gun with the short barrel so I am debating which is easier and more cost effective new barrel or have the rifiling cut in.

RP1

 

[Shifty]

Do you want to be able to shoot conicals?

 

[D Sanders]

Probably re barreling will be the most cost effective.

HH 60

 

[READYPRO1]

Its going to use it for a hunting rifle so yes conicals would be going down the tube

 

[nkbj]

There's no reason not to use that shorty barrel with round ball. If you want to reach out a ways with conicals then, yes, a longer barrel would be best.

 

[jdkerstetter]

Now, I'm a round ball guy, but I can think of a good reason not to have it rifled as a dedicated roundball hunting gun.

If rifled it will be something bigger than .54 caliber. For optimum accuracy a roundball with full power hunting loads you need a slow twist....say 1:66". If this short barrel is rifled to such a twist you will probably not have enough twist to impart adequate spin on the ball.

Now, you could go with a slower twist like 1:48" but you will find the accuracy "sweet spot" will be with lower powered loads. Will it still kill a deer? Sure, within it's limited range.

1:48" will also shoot conicals but it can be very finicky and finding accurate loads can be challenging.

T'were mine I would either leave it smooth and find another barrel to shoot roundballs or have it rifled to a fast twist to shoot conicals.

Enjoy, J.D.

 

[READYPRO1]

I think I might try to find another barrel and have both. if anyone has a 54 barrel i would be interested. I like to shoot the PRB on the range and a the conicals for hunting so having both would be a plus

 

[Little Wattsy]

I think I might try to find another barrel and have both. if anyone has a 54 barrel i would be interested. I like to shoot the PRB on the range and a the conicals for hunting so having both would be a plus

Good idea... Now I might suggest (because I have trod this same path) that you take the gun and and see how accurate of a load you can get out of that barrel and a patched round ball... A .54 RB is a KILLER!

 

[READYPRO1]

I am going to put it thru the paces this weekend. I am sure the PRB will be fine for as far as I can see with open sights anymore. I have a mold for .54 conicals which is part of the reason for a rifled barrel also.
I am hoping I can find a used barrel to drop in and have both

 

[rafterob]

In your shoes I would keep that one and get another rifled barrel. You can also shoot shot which would be good fer bunnies and squirrels at closer range.

 

[Shifty]

I wander if a Lyman Trade Rifle barrel would fit your gun,I don't have one just thinking.

 

[READYPRO1]

Yes the trade rifle or the deerstalker will fit among several other hawken sytles. I wouldnt mind having the trade rifle barrel as they are abit longer but Lyman is very proud of them.

 

[hanshi]

A smooth bore will shoot prb well enough for deer at 60 yards or a little more. You can also fire shot. I'd say you've already got a great all around gun.

 

[READYPRO1]

I am courios how the 21" barrel with the PRB will do I am a little suspect its not going to be very accurate I will report back tomorrow on how it does

 

[Little Wattsy]

I am courios how the 21" barrel with the PRB will do I am a little suspect its not going to be very accurate I will report back tomorrow on how it does

Granted I think it a little short I would prefer a 32" + barrel AND I would favor a 1 in 66 twist for round balls too..

You are on the right track i think.

 

[jdkerstetter]

In a smooth bore the length has less to do with accuracy than it does velocity.

It will likely be as accurate as any other smooth bore just won't develope as much speed and energy.

Enjoy, J.D.

 

[BrianL]

I just picked up a 54 cal Investarms barrel on Ebay for $56, not perfect but the lands are brite and the grooves will clean up with some work. They are out there.

 

[READYPRO1]

Thats the deal I will be looking for what a score I definately want a rifled barrel but the smoothbore will work for now.
I did put it thru the paces this morning I put 75 or so PRB down range it took some searching to find the right combo and with a 015 patch and a 530 ball in front of 70gr. it was very accurate approx. 5" groups from the bench @ 60 yards.

 

[redneck]

rifle it dend to bob hoyt cost is 65 buckskins. he did a smoothbore rifleing job for me, xcllent results

 

[Ken Rummer]

I would recommend getting a good measurement of the bore diameter, decide what you want to shoot, bullet or PRB, and call Bob Hoyt 717-642 6696.

Also provide barrel length and barrel width and Bob will tell you what he can do and how much it will cost.

He has several machines running at the same time so he may not answer. Call back.