Springfield

[KDubs]

I will pick up some projectiles this week.

 Anyone have suggestions for returning the muzzle bore to round again so can shot it. 
 Kevin.
 
 
 

[rollingb]

I will pick up some projectiles this week.

 Anyone have suggestions for returning the muzzle bore to round again so can shot it. 
 Kevin.
 
 
 

I'm wonderin' how the muzzle became "oblong" in the first place. 

I'm pretty sure .577 is the correct bore-size for a .58 Springfield, so you could probably shoot it "as is". 

[Ohio Joe]

If the inside of the bore at the muzzle is round - once again, I wonder if metal was left heavy on top of the barrel intentionally for the mounting of the front sight. Might want to check it with a caliper.

[Winter Hawk]

went back and mic'd the bore at the muzzle.
 I set the mic a .577 as a starting point.  The bore is indeed .577 when measured horizontal across the bore 3 o'clock to 9 o'clock.  At 12 and 6 the bore mic'd .608.  Can't be normal right?

I thought when I saw the first photo that it looked out of round.  Possibly it was dropped and the muzzle was dinged. 31 thousandths of an inch (.031") difference between side-to-side and top-to-bottom measurements is pretty significant!  That lock also looks super pristine compared to the barrel.  Even the case colors on the hammer are nice and bright, which I wouldn't expect from a 150+ year old rifle.  It will be interesting to see what the bore looks like once you have the breech plug out, and can look from end to end.  Any dings will surely show up then!

All in all though, it's a very nice piece which has lots of life left!

~Kees~

[KDubs]

Well I did get out yesterday and ran 3 shots thru here.
 50gr ffg 1- .575 ball (  naked. ) and 2- .578 conical.( greased).
 The ball shot pretty well but the conicals were off the target.
 25yds off hand.
 The old gal shot very well, felt great.
  The breech plug came out no problem, finger tight! The bore is really pitted .
 I'll try and see about working up a load, check accuracy at some point.
 Right now I'm glad to know it shoots.
 The lock is the only thing that looks new to me, from my research it seems everything else is period.
Kevin