.32 Muzzel loader?

[trotterlg]

I've done a bunch of stub projects on Handi rifles.  I know next to nothing about ML's except I have a .58 Huntsman I have shot a few times.  I have a British 303 barrel (about .313) and was considering making up a .32 ML barrel with a 209 primer plug.  First, would anyone have a use for something like this?  The .303 barrel is a 1 in 10 twist, so it probably would not be good for round balls, so cast 32 bullets would probably be the only thing it would shoot well.  I could make up a short piece of barrel to "pre rifle" a bullet for ease of loading or I could just counter bore the muzzel a little to make it easy to start.  I really don't know much about these things, any suggestions would be appreciated before I use up a perfectly good barrel.  Larry

[Busta]

Larry,

Is the 303 barrel .313 diameter at the lands or grooves? Muzzleloaders are measured at the bore diameter (land to land), while I believe center fires are measured at the groove to groove diameter. Please correct me if I am wrong?

If you are looking for a volunteer to shoot this rifle for you, I guees you could twist my arm. I would love to be able to buy a smaller caliber barrel to fit the Huntsman/Pardner/Topper/Handi/Ultra frame. I just wish H&R/NEF would have made some. I would also like to be able to purchase a .45 caliber barrel in a faster twist 1:18 to 1:20, NEF listed one in the Manual back in 2003, but it never came to fruition.

If you want it to shoot conicals, DO NOT put a false muzzle (counter bore) in the end of the barrel, they can ruin accuracy with  full bore bullets. The short piece of barrel to pre-rifle would be a much better option IMO.

If you ever decide to sell this barrel, or just want someone to shoot it, please give me a shout, I'm interested.

[trotterlg]

I've built lots of strange things and this is just one of my thoughts.  The barrel is .313 in the groove dimensions, so would probably be .30 in the lands.  A lead 32-20 bullet fits them well as does a 32 H&R mag.  I would build one up if I thought it would have any use, but I wouldn't want to waste the effort to make a grape stake.  Larry

[Hammerspur]

I would build one up if I thought it would have any use, but I wouldn't want to waste the effort to make a grape stake.

Sounds like classic squirrel rifle caliber to me:

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=00139R26128101

http://tennesseehogrifle.com/Page_2.php

[tn_junk]

A buddy and I are going to do much the same with a .358 barrel to make a .36 BP gun with a fast twist.
Will be an interesting race to see who gets done first (my money is on you).
Keep us up to date.

alan

[petemi]

The only thing I can add to this is that my little T/C Cherokee .32 side hammer is one of the most inherently accurate rifles I own.  Patched round ball or conicals, I ring the 300 yard gong with it with open sights and have shot the heads off squirrels that my buddy couldn't reach with his 12 ga. pump.  Ya gotta love the .32.

Pete