Investarms Question

[dagger dog]

I recently traded for a pristine early 80's Investarm's Cabela's "Hawken" percussion rifle, it has the chrome lined bore barrel.

Just wondering if any here has had experience with the chrome, does it make it easier to clean, and what are the advantages disadvantages ?

 

[Loyalist Dave]

The advantage of chrome lined barrels, at least for muzzleloaders, is cleaning. In a modern rifle it helps protect the chamber from erosion as well as helps cleaning, but at the lower temps and pressures of black powder that's not a factor. It may also make up time and be easier to chrome line the barrel rather than precision polish the barrel, during manufacture, thus giving a bit more accuracy over a roughly machined, plain barrel. One must, however, due to the highly corrosive nature of BP and BP substitute residue, make sure the bore is very clean, and well protected from corrosion, for if that chrome is compromised by corrosion and begins to peel away from the bore, it will play havoc with the rifle.

LD

 

[MCgunner]

I have a Cabela's Hawken Hunter Carbine, investarms, chrome lined barrel. It's still in great shape after 20 years of shooting. i treat it just like any other rifle, clean it thoroughly immediately after shooting. The chrome can't hurt, but then, I'm not sure the advantage. I'd trust Dave's post for that.

 

[dagger dog]

Some good news ! I was wondering about the longevity of the chrome lining.

I'm hip on the cleaning, I use plenty of scalding soapy water for my BP cleaning and a rust preventative.

thanks guys

 

[zimmerstutzen]

it is as explained to me not a chrome plate but an actual chromium steel lining.


Many Jap Arisakas had chromium lined bores. helped protect the bores in salty tropical environs.

 

[Hellgate]

The Investarms .58s I have had had a slightly larger bore diameter than my other 58s. A .570-.575 ball was a better fit than the .562 that is often recommended for 58s. Also it liked the .580 dia minies.

 

[MCgunner]

My Hunter Carbine is a 1:24 twist. It will NOT shoot PRB. I shoot 385 Hornady great plains or a 360 grain soft cast Minie for best results. It loves the .44 caliber 240 grain Sabots, but I prefer the full bore projectiles. Go big or go home. It's quite the accurate rifle, but I use my scoped CVA Wolf for hunting. My eyes are pretty poor of late and seeing iron sights in twilight in the deep woods never was that easy.

My hunting buddy 20+ years ago when I bought the carbine, ordered a standard left hand Hawken at the same time. Both our guns are lefty versions. He's lefty, I just shoot that way owing to a severe eye dominance problem. Anyway, mine is a 20" barrel and his has the 28" with all the brass furniture and butt plate. Mine has no patch box, is a montecarlo (cheek piece} stock with a recoil pad and all furniture on it is blacked to eliminate glare. Also, mine has the better sights. BUT, I preferred his rifling, 1:48. Ain't as good with heavy Minies, but shoots PRB very well. He could run 3 PRBs down the bore without first scrubbing with a brass brush and get 2" 100 yard groups out of it. Mine has to be brushed at least every 2 shots to get that sort of accuracy. Even the CVA Plainsman with 1:48 twist I have now to shoot PRB needs to be brushed every shot. I don't know if it's the chrome making the Investarms gun's bore smoother or what, just know what I know. I was impressed with my buddy's gun, a REAL shooter, though I do like my carbine for heavy projectiles. His was pretty with all the brass and more traditional.

Just some rambling info on these guns.

 

[dagger dog]

I like running a nylon brush down the bore after a couple shots on my Juker 45 cal flintlock.


Being the Cabela's Hawken has the chrome bore I may try wiping with a damp patch.

I like using a beeswax,crisco,canola lube on my patches, it keeps the fouling soft and makes loading the PRB an easy push down the barrel even with a 0.015-0.018" patches.

I washed the last hank of patch material and it came out a little soft, I bought another couple yards of pillow ticking, and I will leave the "starch sizing" alone as it seems to make the patch a little thicker.