alcessapiens
40 Cal
Just picked up a tc newenglander in.50cal for $35. It was in the junk pile of a gun shop that doesn’t deal in bp. Some fool had apparently shot it, then stored it (presumably in a swamp). The stock was painted brown ( oh, the humanity!) but it was complete except for the under barrel rib, ramrod and tubes. I took it apart and cleaned up the lock and trigger which work well now and am having to thin the stock down a bit to get the paint and scratches out but it’s a nice enough piece of walnut. It was a bit thick and clubby to begin with anyways. So the lock and stock will be fine. Now the barrel is another story altogether. I had to begin with a .30 cal brush to start to get the massive rust flakes out. Then .40,.45, finally .50. There’s nothing left of the rifling and the grooves are badly pitted as well. I am thinking of having it machined out to 20ga (.615) or possibly 12ga. (.729). I’m wondering if anyone here has done this and how did it work out?