TC Seneca with bad bore. Options?

[Newaygo77]

I just received a .45 caliber TC Seneca from an online seller who assured me the rifle had a decent bore. To make a long story short, he lied. The bore is toast, with heavy rust and pitting throughout. Please don’t suggest ways to clean it and salvage it. I’ve seen a lot of rusty muzzleloader barrels and this rates near the worst I’ve seen.

So I have two options: 1) return the gun for a refund , or 2) make a project out of it. I bought the gun for a decent price ($400) and aside from the roached bore it’s a very nice rifle. I wouldn’t mind keeping it if I could find a way to put it into shooting condition.

I’m wondering about a couple ideas and would appreciate your advice.
1) Reboring to .50? Is there enough diameter in the barrel to do this safely? Approximate cost?
2) Having a .45 (or even a .36) liner installed? Cost?
3) Other suggestions?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[SDSmlf]

There options and you will be hearing a bunch of them. What I would do is get hold of someone who actually does this type of repair, not just types about it, a guy like Bobby Hoyt (there are others) and get his opinion as to what he would suggest. He has no internet or website, so you have to call him, early in the day is best. Here is his contact info.

Bobby Hoyt
Freischutz Shop
2379 Mt Hope Rd
Fairfield, PA 17320
ph# 717-642-6696

 

[bubba.50]

400 bucks for the condition described is not a ‘decent’ price in my humble opinion. If returning is an option, I vote for that. If not, send to Mr. Hoyt to be relined in the smallbore caliber of your choice.

 

[Fastleo]

400 bucks for the condition described is not a ‘decent’ price in my humble opinion. If returning is an option, I vote for that. If not, send to Mr. Hoyt to be relined in the smallbore caliber of your choice.

Or have the seller pay for a re bore

 

[Grenadier1758]

The small across the flats dimension of the Seneca barrel is too small to bore out to 50 caliber.

The seller should be reported for misrepresenting the condition of the rifle and as @Fastleo suggests, should pay for the relining of the barrel.

 

[Dave Marsh]

Just call Bobby Hoyt.

 

[SDSmlf]

400 bucks for the condition described is not a ‘decent’ price in my humble opinion. If returning is an option, I vote for that. If not, send to Mr. Hoyt to be relined in the smallbore caliber of your choice.

Last price I had for a Hoyt relining was around $200 plus. Add in the price paid for this ‘decent’ gun and you are north of $600 for a Seneca with a relined barrel. I am with @bubba.50 on this one, OP paid too much.

 

[Newaygo77]

Since I first posted, I requested and received a $200 price adjustment on the rifle, meaning I’ve now got $200 into it. The rest of the rifle is darn nice, with an above average piece of walnut in the stock. I’m going to keep it and will give Mr. Hoyt a call. Many thanks.

 

[Bad Karma]

Since I first posted, I requested and received a $200 price adjustment on the rifle, meaning I’ve now got $200 into it. The rest of the rifle is darn nice, with an above average piece of walnut in the stock. I’m going to keep it and will give Mr. Hoyt a call. Many thanks.

Excellent! You’ll have a choice of twist, (progressive round ball rate anyone?) and caliber. You’ll love the results,

 

[SDSmlf]

Since I first posted, I requested and received a $200 price adjustment on the rifle, meaning I’ve now got $200 into it. The rest of the rifle is darn nice, with an above average piece of walnut in the stock. I’m going to keep it and will give Mr. Hoyt a call. Many thanks.

Sounds like the seller knew what they were peddling. With refund not a great deal, but a pretty good deal. As long as buyer is happy, all is good.

 

[morehops52]

If I were still considering a Seneca I would pay $400 or thereabouts for a good condition one with a reline/rebarrel. Still kick myself for not buying one new when they were $169.

 

[frankie]

I just received a .45 caliber TC Seneca from an online seller who assured me the rifle had a decent bore. To make a long story short, he lied. The bore is toast, with heavy rust and pitting throughout. Please don’t suggest ways to clean it and salvage it. I’ve seen a lot of rusty muzzleloader barrels and this rates near the worst I’ve seen.

So I have two options: 1) return the gun for a refund , or 2) make a project out of it. I bought the gun for a decent price ($400) and aside from the roached bore it’s a very nice rifle. I wouldn’t mind keeping it if I could find a way to put it into shooting condition.

I’m wondering about a couple ideas and would appreciate your advice.
1) Reboring to .50? Is there enough diameter in the barrel to do this safely? Approximate cost?
2) Having a .45 (or even a .36) liner installed? Cost?
3) Other suggestions?

Thanks in advance for your help.

A big yes to Bobby Hoyt

 

[nightwolf1974]

If there is any rifling left, shoot a Maxi-ball. I once bought a T/C with a rough bore and it shoots fine with a Maxi-ball.

 

[Bassdog1]

At $200.00 I would definitely have it relined back to 45 caliber with a slow twist for round ball. I do not care to shoot conicals in the Senecas due to the thin wrist area. But whatever you choose Bobby does great work.

 

[OldMaineWoodsman]

Return it to the seller for the reason specified and keep looking. There are plenty of decent T/C Senecas out there that you won't have to pay extra to have anything done.

 

[Rawhide67]

I'd rebore it at this point. Even i the barrel is thick enough for 50cal, Seneca's have a very slender wrist that can crack under heavy 45cal loads. I would avoid a 50.

 

[Bassdog1]

If I could find a couple of roached Seneca barrels I would definitely have them relined. Have a beautiful 45 barrel for my Seneca now that wont shoot worth a darn which is unusual for these. If I dont get it figured out soon it will be sent out for a reline.

 

[fishhawk2700]

Send it back! Don't throw good money after bad. Get your 400 back, add 200 to it and find a nice Seneca that will hold or go up in value.

 

[French Colonial]

It always amazes me the number of people who comment without reading all the posts especially from the OP.

 

[user 48679]

3) Other suggestions?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Please check your PM's, as I have found a factory barrel F/S that may be for a Seneca.