Why no smallbore inlines?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Why no smallbore inlines?

Posted: 7/14/2019 2:05:29 PM EDT

I'm more of a traditional shooter and have a .32 and .36 sidelock in my lineup but I got to thinking. Why are there no smallbore inline muzzleloaders? I think something approximately the weight and size of a Marlin model 60 in .32 and .36 calibers would be a blast. Offer a fast twist for conical bullets and a slow twist for round ball shooters.
Anyone else like the idea?

Posted: 7/15/2019 10:24:28 AM EDT

[#1]

One of my uncles used a .45 cal inline for a few years. He wanted the "flatter" trajectory offered.
Didn't help him as much as he thought it would... most PA deer are taken under 100 yards, especially where his stand was set up, typically under 60.
Not to mention that at the time, most loads for the 45 needed some distance to drop back into the reliable expansion envelope (too close, they'd fragment before penetrating deep enough.)
He went back to 50 cal for reliability and compatibility (with everyone else in the group) purposes and hasn't looked back.

That said, I'd be interested in a small caliber inline for small game. If someone wants to make one anywhere from 25-36 caliber, I'd give it a whirl.
Especially if they could get a powder company or two to crank out some pellets for it.
Now if Harvester or MMP would also jump in and make some sabots, I'd imagine things could get interesting quick with a 30cal/36Sabot or a .270/32cal combo, given enough barrel length...

Posted: 7/17/2019 3:22:56 PM EDT

[#2]

I have a couple of clunkers in the trade pile. I'm looking for a .32 or .36 barrel blank. If I find a deal I'll just make one.

Posted: 7/20/2019 10:11:07 PM EDT

[#3]

Green Mountain made a run of 32s based off the Knight Disc action around 2006, before that Knight made a number of 36 caliber plunger style guns in the 90s. Both are basically unobtainable collectors items now. There's a few guys making customs now based off available actions, mostly Knight Disc and TC Omega with Rice or Oregon blanks. If you build one keep the barrel short and taper it as much as you can, weight and balance are usually issues with these builds.

Posted: 7/20/2019 10:17:40 PM EDT

[#4]

Thompson center firehawk

Posted: 7/20/2019 10:20:15 PM EDT

[#5]

Quote History

Quoted:
Now if Harvester or MMP would also jump in and make some sabots, I'd imagine things could get interesting quick with a 30cal/36Sabot or a .270/32cal combo, given enough barrel length...

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Last time I ordered from MMP they still sold a 32/36 sabot which was designed for the previously mentioned Knight 36 caliber.

Posted: 7/20/2019 10:21:42 PM EDT

[#6]

Quote History

Quoted:
Thompson center firehawk

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Didn't the TC "System 1" also have a 32 barrel available for it?

Posted: 7/21/2019 2:23:36 AM EDT

[#7]

Both the Firehawk and System 1 smallbores are as rare as the others.

Posted: 7/24/2019 9:44:01 AM EDT

[#8]

I would love a little .32 or .36 caliber rifle to plink around with or small game. Wouldn't care if it was an inline or not, just would want conicals for it.

Posted: 7/24/2019 10:44:25 AM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:
I would love a little .32 or .36 caliber rifle to plink around with or small game. Wouldn't care if it was an inline or not, just would want conicals for it.

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If you're fine with percussion Traditions makes the Crockett rifle and I know Pedersoli makes some too but more $$

Posted: 7/26/2019 12:41:39 AM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:
If you're fine with percussion Traditions makes the Crockett rifle and I know Pedersoli makes some too but more $$

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
I would love a little .32 or .36 caliber rifle to plink around with or small game. Wouldn't care if it was an inline or not, just would want conicals for it.

If you're fine with percussion Traditions makes the Crockett rifle and I know Pedersoli makes some too but more $$

Percussion is perfectly fine, but I couldn't find anything. Do you have a link?

Posted: 7/26/2019 7:32:25 AM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:

Percussion is perfectly fine, but I couldn't find anything. Do you have a link?

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Here's one

Posted: 7/26/2019 12:59:43 PM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:

Percussion is perfectly fine, but I couldn't find anything. Do you have a link?

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https://www.muzzle-loaders.com/rifles/traditions-crockett-rifle-r26128101.html
V
Cheapest price I could find one a quick search. Cabelas sells for $500 but occasionally goes on sale for $400

Edit: the twist rate of the Crockett rifle is a little slow for conicals IMO.

Posted: 8/31/2019 3:11:33 AM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:

If you're fine with percussion Traditions makes the Crockett rifle and I know Pedersoli makes some too but more $$

View Quote

I've owned a Pedersoli Pennsylvania Cub in .36 almost 20 years. Last time I checked, Dixie Gun Works still sold them in kits or finished.

Posted: 9/21/2019 11:56:15 AM EDT

[#14]

If I can find the pictures of my 32 inline build I'll try to post them. My builder took a .52 Knight Disc and cut the barrel off the action (they're originally made as 1 piece) and threaded the action internally. A tapered octogon barrel was then threaded externally to fit the action . Then the barrel was threaded internally to take a custom small diameter breech plug. I used the red plastic jacket 209 ignition which gave some forgiveness to head spacing. Barrel is 1:30 twist and shoots conicals and patched round balls good. Ballistics are similar to 22lr. With 20 grains FFF it's pellet gun quiet.

Posted: 9/21/2019 8:57:21 PM EDT

[#15]

Cool, looking forward to seeing them.

Posted: 9/21/2019 10:30:42 PM EDT

[#16]

Testing using Imgur for the 1st time so no promises.

https://imgur.com/a/DfAS4Ab

Posted: 9/21/2019 10:37:18 PM EDT

[#17]

Seems to be working so here we go.

https://imgur.com/a/pJmcRv9
https://imgur.com/a/MSypBTr
https://imgur.com/a/9tFnb3o
https://imgur.com/a/DZoc3Jv
https://imgur.com/a/LsU7jWq
https://imgur.com/a/jnTj3Px

Posted: 9/22/2019 1:50:18 PM EDT

[#18]

Factory Knight breech plug on left, custom plug on right.

https://imgur.com/a/uNjcNN7

Posted: 9/22/2019 11:28:59 PM EDT

[#19]

Posted: 9/22/2019 11:34:21 PM EDT

[#20]

Very nice!

Posted: 10/13/2019 3:19:49 PM EDT

[#21]

http://www.stolzergunsmithing.com/otherprojects.htm

Here's a good read on another way of building a .32 inline. Before I had mine built I corresponded with both the builder and owner of this rifle. The owner's only complaint was it being nose heavy which played into me opting for a heavily tapered barrel. The gunsmith having a year back log was the real deal killer though. As I recall he builds some really high end stuff, one of his builds ended up at an auction house and was featured in a Forgotten Weapons video.

Edit. Once I thought about it I had to double check; left handed 2 bore double rifle https://youtu.be/OYlDgwo52tI

Posted: 11/24/2019 7:55:21 AM EDT

[#22]

Quoted:
Testing using Imgur for the 1st time so no promises.

https://imgur.com/a/DfAS4Ab

View Quote

Quoted:
Seems to be working so here we go.

https://imgur.com/a/pJmcRv9
https://imgur.com/a/MSypBTr
https://imgur.com/a/9tFnb3o
https://imgur.com/a/DZoc3Jv
https://imgur.com/a/LsU7jWq
https://imgur.com/a/jnTj3Px

View Quote

Quoted:
Factory Knight breech plug on left, custom plug on right.

https://imgur.com/a/uNjcNN7

View Quote

That is one awesome rifle. Would love to see more and potentially a video of it shooting.

Posted: 11/24/2019 10:56:23 PM EDT

[#23]

Quote History

Quoted:
http://www.stolzergunsmithing.com/otherprojects.htm

Here's a good read on another way of building a .32 inline. Before I had mine built I corresponded with both the builder and owner of this rifle. The owner's only complaint was it being nose heavy which played into me opting for a heavily tapered barrel. The gunsmith having a year back log was the real deal killer though. As I recall he builds some really high end stuff, one of his builds ended up at an auction house and was featured in a Forgotten Weapons video.

Edit. Once I thought about it I had to double check; left handed 2 bore double rifle https://youtu.be/OYlDgwo52tI

View Quote

Yea that would make a heavier gun than I want to squirrel hunt with though. I bet it's awesome to shoot off of a rest.

Posted: 11/25/2019 5:33:04 PM EDT

[#24]

Quote History

Quoted:

That is one awesome rifle. Would love to see more and potentially a video of it shooting.

View Quote

Sad to admit but I don't even think I've shot it in over a year. About the only time of year I'd like to get out and chase squirrels the season is closed. Add to that the ranges near me are staffed and they'll yell at you when reloading muzzleloaders for not having the muzzle pointed down range so it stays in the safe. Thought about selling it but I have enough in it I'd probably end up taking a bath.

Posted: 11/25/2019 5:50:32 PM EDT

[#25]

Quote History

Quoted:

Sad to admit but I don't even think I've shot it in over a year. About the only time of year I'd like to get out and chase squirrels the season is closed. Add to that the ranges near me are staffed and they'll yell at you when reloading muzzleloaders for not having the muzzle pointed down range it stays in the safe. Thought about selling it but I have enough in it I'd probably end up taking a bath.

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So they don't understand how this works, what does the owner/management have to say?

Posted: 11/25/2019 6:52:49 PM EDT

[#26]

Quote History

Quoted:

So they don't understand how this works, what does the owner/management have to say?

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Never pushed the issue. Range officers at conservation department ranges are all volunteers so I don't really want to tear into them. Last time it happened I was shooting a Savage ML2 with smokeless and the RO suggested I load it with the barrel horizontal pointed down range, after a few minutes of trying to explain everything that was wrong with that I gave up and left...Haven't been back since.

Posted: 11/25/2019 8:29:47 PM EDT

[#27]

Quote History

Quoted:

Never pushed the issue. Range officers at conservation department ranges are all volunteers so I don't really want to tear into them. Last time it happened I was shooting a Savage ML2 with smokeless and the RO suggested I load it with the barrel horizontal pointed down range, after a few minutes of trying to explain everything that was wrong with that I gave up and left...Haven't been back since.

View Quote

I'd have had him demonstrate for me.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Why no smallbore inlines?

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