Bobby Hoyt smooth bore barrel for T-C Pennsylvania Hunter

[Winter Hawk]

I have some photos of the rifle with the new barrel.  I need to try again on a cloudy day so the shadows are gone.

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~Kees~

[dmarsh]

Looking good.  That should bring home a gobbler.   

Dave

[Uncle Russ]

I have always loved the profile of the T/C Penn.
This is certainly my idea of a super nice riflegun. Ie, rifle shotgun!
I like every thing about it!

[Ohio Joe]

It looks good Kees! 

Kind'a puts me in mind of a canoe gun of sorts. 

[Winter Hawk]

The top photo is of the new barrel in the stock, then the rest speak for themselves.  The T-C barrel does NOT have a wedding band, while the new one does.

The PA Hunter, to me, has a strong resemblance to the Harper's Ferry 1803 rifle, to the point that I want to add an 1803 patch box.  That could be interesting as my inletting skills are not that great.  But that is a long way down the road yet.

Thank you all for the kind words.  I just wanted to get it out there for other folks who might want to get a second barrel for their T-C (or other brand) rifles.

~Kees~

[Winter Hawk]

Here is what she looks like after bluing using Laurel Forge degreasing and browning solution.  I followed the directions although they suggest sanding down to a 600 grit and I stopped at 420.  I made a scalding trough like they recommend, although they say use 2 1/2" PVC which I couldn't find, but 3" worked fine.  Also, to save a bit on buying it the lumber yard guy suggested using sewer pipe which is not as thick as schedule 40 PVC.  It worked out great.  I sawed it with a hand saw and would suggest that you glue the end caps on first to stiffen it up a bit.  I bought 6 gallons of distilled water for this at Walmart, and have 3 gallons left over....  Only problem I found is that the corners of the flats are pretty thin, possibly from getting to carried away with carding.

Anyway, here are a photo of the assembled rifle and one of the barrel, screws, thimbles and under rib in the scalding tank:

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~Kees~

[Uncle Russ]

Kees, In my humble opinion, the Penn Hunter is, and always has been, one of the better-looking mass produced Muzzleloaders on the market.

To me, it has a strong resemblance to the well know British Sporting Rifles.
The lack of that whirly/twirly trigger guard preferred by T/C on their Hawken and Renegade models was, and still is, more of a distraction than anything regarding the character of their guns, but they sold like hot-cakes, and I admit to owning several although I did replace that trigger guard on a particular Renegade in order to obtain a look more like your's, or that of a Sporting Rifle.

In my opinion, you did great!   
Your "bluing tank" has and will serve you well for a long time to come. I have used a very similar "tank" for years when I was really into gun repair and building.
No, it's not a "hot" tank, but I have had several barrels come from such a tank where it would be extremely difficult to see the difference.

Enlarging the picture a bit I have to say I love the wedding rings, very nice.
And I think you're right about the "thinning" on the edges of the Octogan bbl just before the bands. Carding on any octagon barrel must be done very very carefully in order to preserve those edges.
Although not visible in the picture, I am quite sure you could likely see it when it was in your hands.

Beautiful!
Well done, and she looks great!

[Forager]

Very nice!

[Ohio Joe]

I think you did a great job! 

[Winter Hawk]

Thanks for the kind words, guys.  Now to see how long that bluing lasts.  My experience with cold bluing has not been very impressive, but barrel browning with MLF's solution has gone well before, so I hope the bluing doesn't wear off.

~Kees~

[Uncle Russ]

 

Russ...

[blackpowderbill]

Ah COOL! Nothing like purposing components.   

[Winter Hawk]

Well, I can't afford to buy a trade gun or fowler, this was the cheapest way to get something I can use with shot...

~Kees~

[Uncle Russ]

Well, I can't afford to buy a trade gun or fowler, this was the cheapest way to get something I can use with shot...

~Kees~

Kees, don't worry about it.
There ain't no fleas on that dog, so shoot it and enjoy it.

The means to shoot shot is a definite plus, and I'm quite sure such guns were to be found everywhere as they do cover about any situation one might encounter, be it the high-country or the plains.
My concern and my only concern would be how well it shoots, be it ball or shot.

My all-time favorite smoothie is a lowly Renegade from many years gone by...since they were first introduced.
My initial goal was to give it the looks of an English Sporting Rifle, I strongly suspect I failed miserably at that attempt even when doing away with that whirly-twirly Trigger Guard by T/C, but I came close. Next time I'll get it right!
(It does have iron adjustable sights, and as such, I can't compete in some matches while still other Booshway's might say that doesn't matter at all.)
Be it roundball or shot. that puppy will get the job done and it does the job quite well, including up to 1-1/8oz of shot with a nice pattern at 25yds.
I've owned the old gun for years and the only part on that gun that's original is the barrel itself, even the sights have been changed out to something I can see better..
It has a L&R Lock, and a Davis DST Trigger, the stock has been re-configured and re-finished so many times I've lost count, and although it may be ugly to some it is still my go-to gun for just about everything...a true, "grab it and run gun".


(That long "kick bar" extends to about 1.5" of the butt plate, and I've added a swivel stud, so there's just no way this gun will ever be looked upon favorably by those concerned with such things.)
Ohio Joe can verify how well it shoots a roundball and patch on some of the targets I turned in last year....suffice to say that "up to 50yds, it shoots a RB and Patch as well as any of my rifled guns" and that's a fact!

Shoot that new gun of yours, and be proud of it, because it reflects you.
Your thinking, not something from a drawings book, or something found in a Museum......when it 'speaks' to you, listen carefully.

[Ohio Joe]

100% what Russ says!

I'll only add that you might just be surprised what you see in museums when it comes to these old smoke poles. Just because the 'ol feller wasn't famous for making muzzle loaders for those in his community -doesn't mean he didn't have his own style of build. As I said, you'd be surprised what you see in museums and just when you think you've seen it all, there's always something different when it comes to these old smoke poles.

Shoot it, and have a great time with it, which I know you will. I like it!