Thompson Center New Englander

[waarp8nt]

I finally have the local gunshop trained to call me when they get a T/C in on trade or consignment. This time they called with a T/C New Englander for $125, bore not perfect and some freckling around the breech plug area. I told them I would take it and picked it up accordingly.

The bore is not perfect, however it does shoot pretty well. I've always wanted a smooth bore for squirrels and such. So I done a quick search on the forum and it would appear most folks just bored up to the next size rifle caliber when it came to the N.E.. Anyone have a New Englander bored up to 58 or 62 smoothbore? I would really like 62, but that may be pushing the limits of the 50 cal round barrel. Just curious about your thoughts and opinions before I call Rayl or Hoyt and potentially waste their time.

Besides rebore to 62 smoothbore has anyone used the original 12 ga barrel?

 

[nhmoose]

TC made them in 12 gauge. So maybe into a 12 bore even possible. Recomend Bobby Hoyt in PA.
Robert Hoyt
Frieshutz Shop
700 Fairfield Station Rd.
Fairfield, PA 17320
ph. # 717-642-6696

 

[Dale Allen Raby]

I have used the 12 gauge barrel. Makes for a very light gun, so with a heavy load, you can really get some serious recoil. Mine is currently a 12" length barrel with a modified stock that no longer has a provision for a ramrod. I made it some while ago when they were cheap and more or less plentiful. Mine had already been cut from the original length because the previous owner didn't like chokes.

I generally use light shot charges in mine with about 30 grains of powder.... usually 3f. Number 8 shot will penetrate both sides of steel cans. A .710 round ball is kinda awesome to shoot at a reactive target. Pretty sure it would kill a grizzly bear at close range... not that I would want to try that. Thirty yards is too close to a predator in that weight class.

I use an over-powder wad, a cushion wad and an overshot wad when shooting shot. For a round ball, I patch it and/or use a cushion wad over the top as I don''t trust that thin over-shot wad to hold back a .710 round ball.

Mostly mine is a "toy", though I have used it on 'coons with number 6 shot when they come to steel cat food off the porch. They don't run very far.

I wouldn't think boring it would be any different from boring an octagon barrel.

These guns were always my favorite T/C products because of the price, the interchangeable barrels... one being the 12 gage... and the oversized trigger guard that allows for hunting with gloved fingers. Some engineer did some good work when he designed those guns.

Too bad they are not around anymore (heavy sigh).

 

[chorizo]

TC made them in 12 gauge. So maybe into a 12 bore even possible. Recomend Bobby Hoyt in PA.
Robert Hoyt
Frieshutz Shop
700 Fairfield Station Rd.
Fairfield, PA 17320
ph. # 717-642-6696

Not taking anymore on until after 1 April, so you will need to keep your powder dry.

12 ga barrel complete

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/966342672

Quite a few complete guns on GB also

 

[TDM]

I have the old 12 ga cylinder bore on mine. Had it since new. Can carry it all day, great gun. But you will feel a heavy load.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

I've always wanted a smooth bore for squirrels and such. So I done a quick search on the forum and it would appear most folks just bored up to the next size rifle caliber when it came to the N.E.. Anyone have a New Englander bored up to 58 or 62 smoothbore?

Nothing wrong with a 24 gauge....

LD

 

[waarp8nt]

Nothing wrong with a 24 gauge....LD

I agree. While I have my heart set on a 62, I will certainly follow the advise of the machinest if says 62 is too big for the barrel. I already have one of the made in Spain monkey guns from Dixie in 28 ga, however put shot in it. Might have to tinker with it until the other barrel gets done. Any suggested loads for a 28?

Not taking anymore on until after 1 April, so you will need to keep your powder dry.

I think he is worth the wait, especially since season isn't until August in this neck of the woods.

 

[nhmoose]

Not taking anymore on until after 1 April, so you will need to keep your powder dry.

12 ga barrel complete

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/966342672

Quite a few complete guns on GB also

That may hurt one of the instant internet folks but 2 months wait is short IMHO for most gun work. Been doing it for a Lonnng time and 2 month is nothing two years is more common.

 

[Fastleo]

I just got a tree hawk barrel back from him friday. I asked for .560 and it came back.550. I have not shot it yet to see how it works but the wads I have for my factory 56 sb are way tight. I might be able to force them down. It does probably ruin the chance of my .550 ball mold working for it now… whatever you ask for just make sure your clear.

 

[waarp8nt]

I just got a tree hawk barrel back from him friday. I asked for .560 and it came back.550. I have not shot it yet to see how it works but the wads I have for my factory 56 sb are way tight. I might be able to force them down. It does probably ruin the chance of my .550 ball mold working for it now… whatever you ask for just make sure your clear.

That would certainly be disappointing, thanks for the heads up.

 

[Fastleo]

That would certainly be disappointing, thanks for the heads up.

It’s probably a simple mistake that he would fix. I’m going to try it and see how it works. I’ve been happy with everything he’s done for me.

 

[Grenadier1758]

I just got a tree hawk barrel back from him friday. I asked for .560 and it came back.550. I have not shot it yet to see how it works but the wads I have for my factory 56 sb are way tight. I might be able to force them down. It does probably ruin the chance of my .550 ball mold working for it now… whatever you ask for just make sure your clear.

One of the reasons that waiting to purchase a ball mold or bullet mold until the bore is in one's hands to be measured before spending the money.

 

[chorizo]

One of the reasons that waiting to purchase a ball mold or bullet mold until the bore is in one's hands to be measured before spending the money.

Yeah, but it is RARE that what you ask for isn't what you get from Mr. Hoyt.

 

[Fastleo]

Yeah, but it is RARE that what you ask for isn't what you get from Mr. Hoyt.

I agree! He’s the best.

I’m just being honest and sharing my experience. I’m also accepting the possibility I didn’t do my part in communicating what my wants are. I put the sights and under rib on it so it’s probably going to stay the way it came. If it tells anybody anything, I sent an extra 50.00 over the bill total.

 

[Dale Allen Raby]

I just got a tree hawk barrel back from him friday. I asked for .560 and it came back.550. I have not shot it yet to see how it works but the wads I have for my factory 56 sb are way tight. I might be able to force them down. It does probably ruin the chance of my .550 ball mold working for it now… whatever you ask for just make sure your clear.

I guess I would try to get the man to fix the mistake before I put out critical commentary about him on a public forum. Everybody makes mistakes, and the measure of a man regarding mistakes is how he deals with the mistakes. T/C used to stand behind their warranty far beyond what it actually stated and most reputable business people do the same.

I suggest you contact him and see how he responds. Maybe you wanna post his response as well. Might be that the barrel could not be bored to .560. Bad comments on a forum like this can ruin a small business.

 

[Fastleo]

I guess I would try to get the man to fix the mistake before I put out critical commentary about him on a public forum. Everybody makes mistakes, and the measure of a man regarding mistakes is how he deals with the mistakes. T/C used to stand behind their warranty far beyond what it actually stated and most reputable business people do the same.

I suggest you contact him and see how he responds. Maybe you wanna post his response as well. Might be that the barrel could not be bored to .560. Bad comments on a forum like this can ruin a small business.

Please read my post from 10min ago.

 

[Dale Allen Raby]

Please read my post from 10min ago.

OK, I missed it, but most likely I started typing before you hit the post reply button.

I'm a little crotchety about bad Internet commentary having had to deal with a troll who actually threatened the life of one of my customers over what amounts to my refusing to pay what she wanted for a rusty old shotgun. Ended up creating a false online personae to deflect her anger to said personae. Hopefully she his still searching for someone who doesn't exist.