removing the rifling from flintlock pistol?

[hans g./UpS]

Can one remove the rifling from a[modern] flintlock pistol at home with abrasives or a drill bit? I'd like to convert my flintlock 58cal to smoothbore- it make it more versatile,yet still historically correct.
Thanks.

[John Traveler1]

hans,

To remove the rifling in your flintlock pistol will likely require a piloted reamer.  The rifling lands are probably 0.008" to 0.010" deep or more.  That's too much to remove using abrasive cloth on a drill spindle.  You might try looking for a 0.625" (5/8") straight shank machine reamer.  Make up some hardwood blocks to hold the barrel in a drilling vise.  Use a drill press on it's slowest speed and plenty of cutting oil.  Let us know how it works out!

John

[gunnut69]

A piloted expansion reaner would be the way to go.  I have seen them on EBay(used) that I'm sure would work.  There are other make shift tools to accomplish this as well as some modern devices but this is the easiest.. A brake cylinder hone turned with a drill motor will finish and hone the resulting bore nicely..as would a shotgun barrel hone.

[hans g./UpS]

Thanks for the information.
I think I will need to re-think,how I go about this project.I don't have those tools[or skills] yet.
A smoothbored 58cal would be versatile in the woods.