New barrel options for an old Renegade

[Ranger413]

About 20 years ago I purchased a T/C Renegade (flintlock .54 caliber) used out of the local classifieds.  It was shot little and in great shape.  Here in PA we were restricted to patched round balls at the time.  I struggled constantly with decent groups although I have killed a number of whitetails with it.  At one point loading round balls became extremely difficult and one lodged in the bore about 10" in.  We eventually got it out.  A couple of season later the ban on conicals was lifted by the state and I began experimenting with new projectiles and settled on the Powerbelt.  With round balls or the Powerbelt I had to adjust my rear sight severely to the the left and the front sight to the right.  Dang thing just doesn't seem to shoot straight.  The gun was even returned to T/C and they had a look.  When I got it back they said that the barrel had been re-crowned. 
 
Just this morning I missed a doe at about 25 yards.  I'm not blaming the gun entirely as I was the nut holding it.  But, due to the issues I've had with it I have almost zero confidence with the smokepole.  I've learned over the years that confidence in your firearm gives you confidence to shoot it well.
 
I'm thinking of some options.  First, I'm considering buying a used barrel and swapping it out.  The problem I've found thus far is that .54s are getting more scarce and especially the flints.  A couple options I've considered is to purchase a .54 percussion and swap out the breech plugs.  I actually have the T/C breechplug wrench to do it (not sure why I ever bought it).  The other option would be to buy a .50 caliber barrel set up for round balls.  I'd prefer to stick with the conicals if I can - really like to go with the old maxi-balls.  Any idea on how the conicals perform in a round ball barrel.  Then again, I can always go old school and go back to the balls.
 
Any advice or input is greatly appreciated.
 
Ranger

[IronBrigade]

Hi Ranger
1st Question: Have you tried the t/c maxi balls out of that gun? My renegade shoots 2" groups at 50yds with the Maxi balls. My renegade didn't do so well with the power belts.

2d Question: I started shooting hornady pa conicals this year due to recommendations from  other hunters. hornady says they will shoot out of a slow or fast twist barrel. They shoot very accurately out of both my hawkens and rengade with 1:48" twist. I have friends that say they shoot accurately out of their 1:60" twist  barrels. I would try some of these conicals before you give up on this barrel.

The renegades have 1" barrels , Thompson center and green mountain barrels have 15/16" barrels on their 50 cal. barrels, which will make a loose fit. on your renegade. Like I said maybe try some of these other conicals, you might find a winner.
Hope everything works out for you.

[Dogmann]

Hornady PA's huh!?  I'm gonna try those!

[IronBrigade]

Hornady PA's huh!?  I'm gonna try those!

 Dogmann
The PA conicals come 50 in a box.  50 cal. 240 grains. I don't believe they make them in 54 cal. Their almost identical to the buffalo ball-et bullets. I paid less than $10.00 for the box.

[coyotejoe]

A .54 roundball is more than plenty for deer, there is no advantage at all in conicals for deer and considerable disadvantages. When a roundball will shoot through and through what more could a conical possibly do but kick a lot harder and drop a lot more and lead your bore. In fact leading could well be the main problem with your present barrel. I will say however that I have had two T/C barrels which shot so far off that sights could not be zeroed and T/C replaced them without charge. Green Mountain makes a very good drop-in roundball barrel for the renegade, but flint is not so common as percussion. You might give "Track of the Wolf" a phone call and see what they can do for you.
http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/tableList.aspx?catId=14&subId=142&styleId=491

[Ranger413]

I've decided to try an swap breech plugs between two barrels.  I purchased a percussion 50 caliber barrel for the renegade and it should arrive next week.  While I have all of the materials to load for the .54 I also have the stuff for the .50 as I have an in-line Encore 209X50.  I've also purchased my son a 209X50 barrel for his Contender so eliminating the .54 barrel from the mix will make life a little simpler.  The only time I hunt with the Renegade is for the PA Flintlock season.  Assumiming both breech plugs come off easily with the wrench that I have I should be set.  I have seen breech plugs for sale should my flintlock plug not come off.  And, if it boils down to it I have two options left.  I can send the .50 barrel in and get the plug professionally swapped.  Or, I can buy a .50 flintlock barrel for the roundball off of Gunbroker and probably still be ahead.  I figured with the cost of a new GM barrel and having someone swap plugs out I'd be looking at about $300.  Right now I'm into it for about $125.  I'll update as I go.
 
As a side note, I did some reading about .54s vs. .50s.  I've long been a fan of the .54 but it seems as though the big edge comes with the patched round ball.  There doesn't seem to be much of an advantage with the .54 over the .50 using either saboted bullets or conicals.  I know the energy advantage is there, but I'm not hunting bison.
 
Ranger413