TC New Englandshotgun barrels ?

[kelljp]

I just purchased a 54 cal TC New England rifle from a fellow forum member, I know the 50 cal stock interchanges with a 12 ga barrel, will the shotgun barrel work on the 54 cal stock ?

 

[flinter1977]

yes it will

 

[kelljp]

Thanks for the info. Now the search for a barrel begins !

 

[lonedave]

Yes, I have both .54 and 12 ga for the same stock. Both work fine and have accounted for a cow elk, whitetail doe, and numerous quail and chukars.

 

[Dave Marsh]

They are interchangeable barrels. My only word of caution is that you need to consider if you want a shotgun barrel with screw in chokes or not. I originally bought one from TC with the screw in chokes and did not like it. I had to screw the chokes out to load. I sold it and bought one without the screw in chokes and had it jug choked. It loaded great and patterned well. Food for thought and I am sure others will come on with solutions for the screw in chokes but that was my experience. Good luck in the quest.

Dave

 

[bubba.50]

If you don't find a 12 gauge barrel at a price you're willing to pay you could have Mr. Hoyt punch out a 50 or 54 cal barrel to 20 gauge

 

[kelljp]

They are interchangeable barrels. My only word of caution is that you need to consider if you want a shotgun barrel with screw in chokes or not. I originally bought one from TC with the screw in chokes and did not like it. I had to screw the chokes out to load. I sold it and bought one without the screw in chokes and had it jug choked. It loaded great and patterned well. Food for thought and I am sure others will come on with solutions for the screw in chokes but that was my experience. Good luck in the quest.

Dave

Thanks for info. Out of curiosity how did the choke installed inhibit loading. Also what load works best (say number 6 shot ) for the amount of powder/ shot ratio ?

 

[Dave Marsh]

The choke prohibits the pre-cut cards and wads from going down into the barrel as the choke constricts them. You either force them through with the ramrod which causes them to "crinkle" up and not seat correctly, or you take out the choke, load and then put the choke back in. You can cut your own cards and wads smaller so they go through the choke, but I really couldn't get a good pattern that way. It has been years since I had that gun as I switched to flintlocks, so I don't remember what I was loading for shot other than I mixed 4's and 6's. I probably used equal amounts of shot and powder along with over the powder and shot cards plus a 1/2 wad.