WestKentucky
Member
I have an old junk hawken style carbine 50 cal. It was a throw in on a deal years ago and was total junk when I got it. The last 8 or 10 inches of the muzzle were scaling off flakes of rust, so I decided to cut the rifling out and ream it to be a smoothbore 24 ga front stuffer. Broke too many bits trying to gut the rifling out of the barrel. Pretty sure a chunk of drill bit is friction welded in it now...but I still have a good 10 to 14 inches of barrel left. I know it's gonna throw fireballs, and wearing leather will be a must if I Essentially SBR it. (Not NFA since it's a front stuffing caplock replica). The other thought is to make a new stock and try it as a caplock pistol. If I do the SBR route I realistically am doing a cut and crown job and making a new sight. If I don't like it I could always make a new stock later. Is there any reason not to just cut and crown? Seems like a really fun range toy for essentially no money.
The rifle is modern enough that I have found its specs. It was sold with documentation saying it was good for conicals over 100 gr of powder. I think that would be too much. I use pyrodex and 777. I'm thinking start around 30 grains and bump up to wherever I see fit based on fireball control and recoil from such a light piece. At least it's not a crescent butt plate.
Input will be appreciated... And before anyone asks, I don't recall the model right off hand. I think it was a store branded cheapo to begin with. Cabellas seems right. I found it today in my scrap pile and figured now is a good time to bring it back to life.
The rifle is modern enough that I have found its specs. It was sold with documentation saying it was good for conicals over 100 gr of powder. I think that would be too much. I use pyrodex and 777. I'm thinking start around 30 grains and bump up to wherever I see fit based on fireball control and recoil from such a light piece. At least it's not a crescent butt plate.
Input will be appreciated... And before anyone asks, I don't recall the model right off hand. I think it was a store branded cheapo to begin with. Cabellas seems right. I found it today in my scrap pile and figured now is a good time to bring it back to life.