Author Topic: Hawken style rifle (Read 9317 times)

Jeff Murray · « **Reply #25 on:** March 17, 2021, 09:45:34 PM »

A target shot from the rifle with good results and framed really adds a nice touch to the display. That way you enjoy the best of both worlds.

Rawhide Rick · « **Reply #26 on:** May 03, 2021, 05:26:45 AM »

I had hoped to post an update from the range today. Weather was great this morning, I had all the gear there, or so I thought. When I bought this gun at an auction several years ago, it was listed as a 50 cal Hawken. It looked like a 50 cal, but the barrel isn’t marked.

Turns out, it’s not a 50 cal and it’s not a 45 cal, so no shots were fired from it today. I don’t even have round balls that will fit the bore. As near as I can tell, it’s a 48 cal. Placed an order tonight and will hopefully have at it next weekend, if the weather and the black flies cooperate.

Bob Roller · « **Reply #27 on:** May 03, 2021, 03:36:37 PM »

This is an uncommon barrel caliber that Bill Large made and it is a 47 caliber.
Measure the bore accurately across the lands or find someone who can.
If I had it here I would use an expanding gauge.Maybe there is a machinist
or a shop in your area that can help you.
Bob Roller

smylee grouch · « **Reply #28 on:** May 03, 2021, 05:28:22 PM »

You could drop a brass rod down the oiled bore, then drive
an over sized lead ball into the muzzle, then upend the barrel and the brass rod will drive the ball out so you can measure it.

Rawhide Rick · « **Reply #29 on:** May 04, 2021, 12:59:26 PM »

I measured as best I could with calipers and came up with about .475 but I might have been in to the grooves . I don’t have a bore gauge or gauge pins, so that was all I could manage. I did foolishly pass on a set of about 100 gauge pins at an auction a few weeks ago, kinda kicking myself now.

I will assume it is 47 cal, and thank you for the input Mr Roller. Curious as to why Mr. Large would make that caliber barrel? There must have been a reason.

Bob Roller · « **Reply #30 on:** May 04, 2021, 05:05:20 PM »

The reason was customer requests.Some wanted a bigger hall than a 45 but smaller
that a 50 so the 47 was what happened.I reamed some of these but don't recall ever
measuring one.These barrels we made during the last years of Bill's career and they are
NOT numerous and one breeched for a Hawken is a very rare one.
Here is another way to gauge it. A 29/64 drill is 453 and a 15/32 will be close to that
bore size.Try it and see and then let us know.
Bob Roller

Seth Isaacson · « **Reply #31 on:** May 05, 2021, 12:00:12 AM »

.465 balls can be a bit hard to find but Track of the Wolf carries them usually. I use them with a .015 patch in my .47 caliber rifle.

Rawhide Rick · « **Reply #32 on:** May 05, 2021, 03:28:03 AM »

I ordered the 465 balls from track a couple days ago. I’ll be digging through drill bits and readers tomorrow to see if I can find the right size.

Thank you again for the input. I like the idea of having such a rare item.

Daryl · « **Reply #33 on:** May 06, 2021, 06:54:44 AM »

Did I miss something - right sized drill bits - for what?

Bob Roller · « **Reply #34 on:** May 06, 2021, 07:00:47 PM »

Daryl,
In the absence of a proper gauge the shanks of drill bits can be used to give
an approximate reading in determining a hole size.Like many older machinists
I have the tendency to assume that everyone has a shop with a wide assortment
of measuring tools but reality says this is not the case so I and others like me
tend to go to the most basic of hole gauges,the drill bit.These drill come in metric
and decimal,letter, number sizes and they are helpful in the absence of a better way.
Bob Roller

Rawhide Rick · « **Reply #35 on:** May 07, 2021, 02:08:35 AM »

I hope nobody got too excited about the possible caliber. 29/64 drill won’t quite fit. So I paid careful attention to stay on the lands and measured with a better caliper, then checked that with a starret micrometer and got .4518. My previous measurement must have slipped in to one of the grooves which seem quite deep. Sorry for the confusion.

The good news is, if I get my yard work and honey do list completed this weekend, I may get to shoot it.

Daryl · « **Reply #36 on:** May 07, 2021, 07:58:41 PM »

Tks Bob. I've never had to use drills for measuring, if why I was questioning that drills.
.451" bore makes it very easy. .445" ball mould, for many of us. .440" for others.

Herb · « **Reply #37 on:** May 09, 2021, 05:26:56 AM »

Ramrod Rick, you can make a bore gauge to measure it. These are 7.62x54R cases. Fit the mouth over a rod tip, opening up the mouth if need be. Tap onto a drill bit butt. Drill the primer pocket out to accept an 8x32 or 10x32 short screw (whichever fits your rod tip). This fastens the gauge onto your rod so you don't lose it in the bore. The case rim is filed down to just enter the bore. You can chuck the case in your drill and hold a file against it to reduce it until it will almost enter the bore. Check for roundness with your Starrett. File down the high spots. Blacken the rim to see where to file. Finally you can gently push the gauge through your bore. It will find rough or high spots. Measure the rim for the bore interior size.

For .45 caliber, a .30-30 case is just the right size.

smylee grouch · « **Reply #38 on:** May 09, 2021, 06:25:05 AM »

Good tip Herb. That's real gun smithing, thinking on your feet.

Bob Roller · « **Reply #39 on:** May 10, 2021, 02:39:02 AM »

I wouldn't think of this in a hundred years.I use Starret expanding hole gauges or
"snap"gauges also called telescoping gauges and a micrometer with a Vernier scale.
Bob Roller

45-110 · « **Reply #40 on:** May 10, 2021, 02:58:22 AM »

A set of used Starrett snap gages are on ebay all the time for a reasonable amount. If you play with gun building you deserve a set.

Daryl · « **Reply #41 on:** May 10, 2021, 03:18:43 AM »

Quote from: Bob Roller on May 10, 2021, 02:39:02 AM

I wouldn't think of this in a hundred years.I use Starret expanding hole gauges or
"snap"gauges also called telescoping gauges and a micrometer with a Vernier scale.
Bob Roller

I have a set of Starret Expanding Hole Gauges that Dad used, Bob. Wonderful pieces of kit.

Rawhide Rick · « **Reply #42 on:** May 12, 2021, 12:51:17 AM »

Those gauges are a good idea. I would like a set of starret bore gauges but can’t justify the expense. Everything I have now that is starret, brown n sharp etc. was acquired at an auction for not much money.

I think the only rimmed brass I have is 38 spl at the moment. But the might work.

oldarcher · « **Reply #43 on:** August 28, 2021, 02:58:50 AM »

Hey Rawhide, Shoot the rifle, that's what they were made for. I believe that Bill Large would say the same thing, I don't believe he made quality Barrels to hang on a wall. I think Bob Roller will say "shoot it". Don't let this treasure go unappreciated, enjoy it, it's yours to shoot and treasure.
I shot a GRRW Hawken for 30 years and it was as good after thousands of shots as it was when new. Quality like Large and Roller age very well when used and taken care of.

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Author Topic: Hawken style rifle (Read 9317 times)

oldarcher