TVM Bore diameter

[smoothshooter]

Does anyone know why TVM has their barrels made with a bore diameter of .608" instead of the more or less standardized .620"?

If the owner wants to shoot patched balls, as many do, this sure complicates finding a mold of a suitable diameter unless a very thin patch is used.

 

[Rifleman1776]

There are several builders in their general vicinity who, it is claimed, subscribe to the 'Corinth school' of building fowlers. Mine is made with what is called DOM steel tubes for the barrel. And the .608" may be the closest they can get to a 20 bore. Note: I said may be. Dunno for positive. :idunno:
Methinks they could have a nice sideline making moulds to fit what they sell.

 

[Cheape]

The 20 bore Colerain barrel on my fusil from TVM mics at exactly .615, a true 20 ga. I use a .595 Lee mold which produces balls pretty close to .60 with a wonderlubed .015 patch, I can shoot for an hour straight at the range with that load with no wiping.

 

[Brokennock]

My 20 gauge TVM smooth rifle has a Colrain barrel withna bore that measures .615 and have been able to shoot .600 and .595 balls with a .010 patch. I tried the .595 balls with a thicker patch, still not the 50 yard group I was looking for and just as hard tonload follow up shots as the .600/.010 combo. The loosed patch ball combo having the best patched round ball group I tried convinced me to try a patch less ball with was loading. Best smooth bore groups I've gotten. Point is, the bore may be non standard but there is a loading that will work. Try wads instead of patches.

 

[hanshi]

Mine also has - as best I can measure - about .615"; could possibly be a shade tighter, just don't know for sure. It's a Colerain and plenty accurate for deer past 50-60 yds. Of course one can specify any other barrel/lock when the gun is ordered from TVM; I specified a different lock for mine.

I tend to think of a smoothie as a "dual purpose" gun. For me that means deer/turkey/squirrels/rabbits with shot, or mainly, ball.