Q. on a .540 rifled barrel...

[Collector]

Can a .540 rifled barrel be bored out to a .550 smoothbore?  I think, off the top of my head, that would be about a 28 gauge for shot loads and could shoot an 'easy to find' .530 RB.  If not .550, what would it be?  Sometimes, close counts.

As always, thanks in advance for your replies.

[bob in the woods]

How deep is the rifling? Swamped barrel?   I had a .54 smoothbore and could not use anything bigger than a ,527 ball  I think if it's rifled, you'll have to go bigger than 28 bore

[roundball]

Can a .540 rifled barrel be bored out to a .550 smoothbore?  I think, off the top of my head, that would be about a 28 gauge for shot loads and could shoot an 'easy to find' .530 RB.  If not .550, what would it be?  Sometimes, close counts.

As always, thanks in advance for your replies.

With .012" grooves on "both sides, you'd have to go out to at least .564" to get smooth.

[Collector]

Over bore it and have it lined with a smoothbore liner?  *** ? ***  I've got a .550 smoothbore that handles shot and RB very comfortably and very effectively.  My question has been answered.  Good luck with your search, roundball.

[Collector]

Last shot at a problem.  Call and/or contact by e-mail, individual barrel makers, Numrich Arms, Dixie  and ask if they have any blanks, in stock or new-old stock in the back, that have been bored to .540 (or close,) but haven't yet been fully finished or rifled yet.  I've managed to get stock blanks for some of my CF projects faster, because I wasn't waiting in the 'same' line to get all of the 'finishing touches.'  Saved a tiny bit of cash too.  Just a thought.  I'm all-in and well done... stick a fork in me.