What to do with a "spare" GPR... Rebore?

[Adam in WI]

I have a question for the folks that have gone through the reboring process. I have a .54 Colonial on order and I'm wondering if there's anything interesting I can do with my current .54 GPR to keep me from wanting to just sell it. I already put an L&R lock on it, so what's a few more bucks if it turns into something cool, right? I've heard .58 is commonly done but I'm wondering just how big you can go on the factory barrel. Could a .60 or .62 smoothbore be done?

 

[Grimord]

Send it off to Bobby Hoyt, He will be able to determine how large you can re-bore and still be safe. .60 smooth bore is usually possible, but it depends on the depth of any barrel screws and dovetails.

 

[longcruise]

The GPR at 15/16 is probably pretty much maxed out at 54. Call Hoyt, he will have the answer.

On another note, it's never a bad thing to have two 54s. I have three and have had occasion to loan them.

 

[Adam in WI]

I don't think loaning is an issue as I am the only one in my immediate sphere that's smart enough to shoot a rocklock lol

 

[nkbj]

Lots of original half stocks have inch plus thick barrels and less than half inch bores.
But, that said, our fore-bearers had us beat on upper body strength and they generally didn't live as long either.
My forty bore Great Plains Rifle is right at the max for me to hold steady. I have an extra left hand .54 GHP drop-in barrel that could be a dandy hunting piece as a .55 or .56 smooth rifle but I'd enjoy it more in .445 caliber slaughtering feral tomato cans with hollow base bullets.

 

[springfield art]

Boy, many guys would love to have the 'problem' of a 'spare' GPR!!

 

[Adam in WI]

To be clear, I only have the one GPR; but with a Colonial coming in I don't see it getting much use anymore unless it's tuned into something exciting

 

[William Sublette]

To be clear, I only have the one GPR; but with a Colonial coming in I don't see it getting much use anymore unless it's tuned into something exciting

What kind of condition is it in?

I need a 54 percussion GPR, but haven't got around to looking for one yet.

 

[Adam in WI]

Mine

What kind of condition is it in?

I need a 54 percussion GPR, but haven't got around to looking for one yet.

Mine is flint....

 

[Jedidiah]

I sent my 54 cakl GPR to Bobby about 7 month ago. I wanted it cut 6 in from 32 to 26 and bored smooth to 60-62 if possible. Bobby called me and said the 15/16th bbl he could bore smooth to 58 cal max and be safe due to sight dovetails and under rib screws etc. He did a great job. He cut the bbl to 26.bored it to 58 smooth and cut and refit the ramrod under rib etc, all for $130. You can't do better than that. It is lighter, handles better, easier to carry and fast to reload. You need a barrel redone, Bobby Hoyt is the one you need to call. IMHO, YMMV

 

[wganz]

To alleviate you of the stress of your situation, you can forward this extra GPR to me for proper disposal with all appropriate rites.

 

[bajabuc]

as I write...I have three spare...a 29 inch 50 cabella's and two 28 inch CVA's. I have paperwork thar calls then Hawken's...but we all know real Hawkens have 2 (two) wedges

Boy, many guys would love to have the 'problem' of a 'spare'

 

[springfield art]

He is

I sent my 54 cakl GPR to Bobby about 7 month ago. I wanted it cut 6 in from 32 to 26 and bored smooth to 60-62 if possible. Bobby called me and said the 15/16th bbl he could bore smooth to 58 cal max and be safe due to sight dovetails and under rib screws etc. He did a great job. He cut the bbl to 26.bored it to 58 smooth and cut and refit the ramrod under rib etc, all for $130. You can't do better than that. It is lighter, handles better, easier to carry and fast to reload. You need a barrel redone, Bobby Hoyt is the one you need to call. IMHO, YMMV

He is a treasure!

 

[Stykbow]

I think a fast twist .45 would be pretty exciting. Have a sleeve put in it and make a hotrod, bullet rifle. Yeah, that’s what I’d do. I’m getting all worked up just thinking about it!

 

[brazosland]

Sell it and buy a Hawken more true to the originals in design

 

[andy52]

If it isn't already switch it to a flinter.

 

[Grenadier1758]

as I write...I have three spare...a 29 inch 50 cabella's and two 28 inch CVA's. I have paperwork thar calls then Hawken's...but we all know real Hawkens have 2 (two) wedges

There's a lot more to a real Hawken rifle than two wedges.

 

[bajabuc]

Having just watch a talk with a collector of company records I find the Hawken to be pretentious...there were more trade muskets and long rifles sold to trappers than hawkens...like 25 or 30 times more.

 

[RiverRat]

I don't think loaning is an issue as I am the only one in my immediate sphere that's smart enough to shoot a rocklock lol

Yea, cap locks can get boring.