Should I rebarrel or keep as is

[JBird]

Hopefully this is the right section, Haven't posted in quite some time. I'm getting back into hunting this year and I've always wanted to hunt with a flintlock whether its small game or big game. I built this TVM "poor boy" back in '17 in 45 as a "Do all" rifle

The main purpose of this gun will be target and squirrel, I've got alot of 3fg to feed this gun, And the fact I built a 54 Kibler Colonial for a potential chance at Deer and Bear makes the 45 seem unnecessary and a waste of powder for squirrel and plinking.

I've contemplated rebarreling to a 36 for a while now, the 45 is a tac driver with 60gr 3fg and i would have no trouble with headshots, but seems a waste of powder ( I will continue to work on a light load it likes ) But in the meantime I'm curious what you guys would do. It wouldn't be a huge job although its more than an afternoon project

The rifle sits at 7.6lbs as is, obviously nose heavy and It will only get worse with the 36. And the current ramrod on the gun happens to measure right at .360 which is not ideal.

 

[Black Powder Guy]

I would rebarrel to a .32 or .36. Bobby Hoyt may rebore it for you.

 

[andy52]

I have a similar rifle but started the other way around. Mine started as a .32 and I had an additional barrel made in .45. I just switch barrels depending on the needs of the game I'm hunting.

 

[user 34300]

I have a 32 cal barrel on order for a rifle I already have. IT appears that powder is not going to be generally available for some time. 36 cal is good because Hornady makes buckshot that you can use. 32 is more difficult to load and 310 balls are not as easy to find. 310 molds are not available for now. If you do 32 cal you may want to make ramrod pipe bushings.

The first thing is to find a barrel. That is not always easy today.

 

[Robby]

Just make a .36 rifle. Rice makes a very lightweight .36.
Robby

 

[Kansas Kid]

I think you have answered your own questions. You don’t say what the length and size of barrel you have on it now but I would do as Robby is thinking.

 

[Elkhorse]

That is a nice lookin rifle.

 

[Red Owl]

Yeah- I would leave it as is. Work on a light load. Muzzleloading cannons used a wood sabot- a wonder if any such thing could be used in a rifle?

 

[JBird]

I'm hesitant to build another rifle as it would put this rifle out of use. I am planning on a smoothbore being next depending on powder supply

It's a 42" 13/16 barrel. I will get back to the range with this rifle and try some more light loads. and maybe get it out into the woods.

 

[SOLANCO]

When I was an avid grouse hunter I spent a lot of days following dogs in terrain that was NEVER flat. All those uphill and downhill stretches made me fanatical about paring weight from my outfit.
When I shopped for my first ML I was surprised at the added weight a small caliber had vs the same gun in a larger caliber. It had never occurred to me that the same size barrel blank might be used for all calibers.

 

[54ball]

I have been in this scenario before. This is my advice...
1. Keep it and enjoy the .45.
2. Sell it.
3. Keep it and enjoy the .45 and build another in .26-.32.

Notice I did not say re-barrel it. To re barrel, you have to get the tang, vent and all the barrel lugs exactly like it is now. It's not that easy.
It's almost as much trouble to just build another rifle.

.45 is a good general purpose gun. .36, not so much.

There's something about a .36. Out of a longrifle it may be as good or even a better deer rifle. Now this is within it's range but most, if not all states require a larger caliber making a .36 small game only. Both the .36 and .45 will make squirrel confetti.

 

[Kansas Kid]

I re barreled one of my 36 rifles last winter and it took me a week or two and I have a good shop with lathe and milling machine. 42” 13/16 36 cal is pretty heavy the older you get. Like stated work on a 30-40 grain load, bet you’ll find one easily. I shoot 40 gr from a 45 flint with good accuracy.

 

[Brokennock]

Hopefully this is the right section, Haven't posted in quite some time. I'm getting back into hunting this year and I've always wanted to hunt with a flintlock whether its small game or big game. I built this TVM "poor boy" back in '17 in 45 as a "Do all" rifle

The main purpose of this gun will be target and squirrel, I've got alot of 3fg to feed this gun, And the fact I built a 54 Kibler Colonial for a potential chance at Deer and Bear makes the 45 seem unnecessary and a waste of powder for squirrel and plinking.

I've contemplated rebarreling to a 36 for a while now, the 45 is a tac driver with 60gr 3fg and i would have no trouble with headshots, but seems a waste of powder ( I will continue to work on a light load it likes ) But in the meantime I'm curious what you guys would do. It wouldn't be a huge job although its more than an afternoon project

The rifle sits at 7.6lbs as is, obviously nose heavy and It will only get worse with the 36. And the current ramrod on the gun happens to measure right at .360 which is not ideal.

View attachment 97427

What is wrong with the .45 for deer?
My .45 also shot very accurately at squirrel distances with only 40 grains 3f.

 

[Brokennock]

I would rebarrel to a .32 or .36. Bobby Hoyt may rebore it for you.

Curious, how would Mr. Hoyt rebore a .45 barrel smaller to .32 or .36?

 

[user 48702]

I have a 32 cal barrel on order for a rifle I already have. IT appears that powder is not going to be generally available for some time. 36 cal is good because Hornady makes buckshot that you can use. 32 is more difficult to load and 310 balls are not as easy to find. 310 molds are not available for now. If you do 32 cal you may want to make ramrod pipe bushings.

The first thing is to find a barrel. That is not always easy today.

You should check MidwayUsa, can't beat their price on molds and Hornady balls. Just yesterday ordered a .311 Lee mold and three boxes of Hornady .310 balls.

 

[martin9]

Depends on how weight sensitive you are I guess. A .36 caliber barrel weighs 11-12 ounces more than the .45 in 13/16"s

 

[Black Powder Guy]

Brokennock it is simple. take out the rifling and put in a .32 or a .36 insert.

 

[JBird]

What is wrong with the .45 for deer?
My .45 also shot very accurately at squirrel distances with only 40 grains 3f.

Nothing wrong with the 45 for deer, but since I have a 54 Kibler although heavier the balance is significantly better for shooting without a solid rest. That's not to mention the mountains ill be hunting in have a lot of Black Bear which is what I am hoping to find

 

[Vaino]

My deer and squirrel flint LR has a straight 7/8" X42" lg bbl, in .45 and it has only killed 1 deer but has head hit 100s of squirrels. The single deer is because I presently use a different LR for deer. This LR is slightly muzzle heavy but that's what I prefer and the imbalance yields a very steady hold and seeing only head hits are wanted, the accuracy is outstanding and the result is 6 pieces of meat from each squirrel. The bbl is a Douglas w/ .008" deep grooves and the load is 30 grs 3F w/ an .018 thick patch which seals the bore and this combo is sufficient for shots to 30-35 yds. I build LRs so could make a smaller caliber LR but w/ this skimpy load the savings would be negligible......Fred

 

[TFoley]

Curious, how would Mr. Hoyt rebore a .45 barrel smaller to .32 or .36?

Obviously, a gifted craftsman like Mr Hoyt would simply squeeze it closed until it met his criteria.