Shortening a barrel
09-26-2011 | 07:16 PM
#12
Boone & Crockett
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 10,918
Likes: 1
From: River Ridge, LA (Suburb of New Orleans)
The reamer is nice DROX, but not at all necessary.
I use a ball that's larger than the bore (a large marble, lead ball for the next caliber up, a wood furniture knob, etc.) and progressive grits of emory paper. Cut the paper into inch-and-a-half squares and use the ball to rotate it against the bore. You have to change the paper fairly often. Start with something like 150 or 200 grit and move progressively to finer grits. I usually finish up with 600 grit with a little oil or water on it. You'll be done in about fifteen minutes.
The thin angle iron used for bed frames works well as a guide because it's very hard stuff, (heat treated or something).
I use a ball that's larger than the bore (a large marble, lead ball for the next caliber up, a wood furniture knob, etc.) and progressive grits of emory paper. Cut the paper into inch-and-a-half squares and use the ball to rotate it against the bore. You have to change the paper fairly often. Start with something like 150 or 200 grit and move progressively to finer grits. I usually finish up with 600 grit with a little oil or water on it. You'll be done in about fifteen minutes.
The thin angle iron used for bed frames works well as a guide because it's very hard stuff, (heat treated or something).
Last edited by Semisane; 09-26-2011 at 07:21 PM.
09-26-2011 | 07:33 PM
#13
Typical Buck
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 861
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
09-29-2011 | 09:45 PM
#19
Typical Buck
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 766
Likes: 0
From: Central Connecticut
Originally Posted by rafsob
Not to get off the subject or side lined, but does MLs have any restrictions as to length for a rifle? You know as to federal laws? I was thinking of having my bugled Hawken .54 barrel cut down and crowned, but it would end up around 15" overall. Would that be legal?
Originally Posted by SuperKirby
Not totally sure but I believe it's the same as rifle/handgun regulations. I would check with your state and BATFE, but I believe it's 16 or 16 1/2 inches for a rifle. I don't know that for sure though.
Most states simply follow the Federal laws for firearms. But here in CT there's a state law that defines a rifle/long gun as one with a barrel 12" or more. That's important because even though muzzle loaders aren't a firearm under Federal laws, the EnCon Officers use that state law to determine the legality of weapons for use during hunting seasons. So even if the muzzle loader has a pistol stock, if the barrel is 12" or more it's still legally a rifle and can be used for deer hunting. But not if it's under 12 inches.
It's the same for small game muzzle loader hunting on state land where the hunting regulations specify rifle for using the maximum size .36 single projectile for black powder hunting. And using this same definition, a shotgun must also have a barrel 12" or more or it's considered to be a pistol and not a shotgun.
Last edited by arcticap; 09-29-2011 at 09:57 PM.
09-30-2011 | 02:56 AM
#20
Fork Horn
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
Folks,
I do believe the Encore although in this case has a blackpowder barrel is in fact a rifle for the purposes of ATF. This is because the receiver is capable of discharging a centerfire round with the change of a barrel. Remember its the receiver not the barrel that gets ATF interested. This is not the case with my humble CVA Accura or any other solely dedicated blackpowder rifle. So in this case, I believe the limit is 18 inches!
I do believe the Encore although in this case has a blackpowder barrel is in fact a rifle for the purposes of ATF. This is because the receiver is capable of discharging a centerfire round with the change of a barrel. Remember its the receiver not the barrel that gets ATF interested. This is not the case with my humble CVA Accura or any other solely dedicated blackpowder rifle. So in this case, I believe the limit is 18 inches!