How to find caliber size ?

[Twhessler]

Hi
I bought a flint lock at a gun show, I have no idea who made it or the caliber.
It looks old but the barrel has a serial number on it.
I have a 50 cal. And this is smaller. Can anyone recommend how to measure this to find out the caliber size ?

There are no names or other identified marks.
Thanks for any info, Tom

[country gent]

Your calipers inside jaws will give a rough idea of what it is. Pin gages would be better. In a pinch eye ball with diffrent bullets. Most are 36,40.45.. for smaller than 50cal. My guess is 45 cal but could be several diffrent ones. An original could have started out one caliber and been "refreshed" several times in its life making it a diffrent caliber or even an oddball.

[mooman76]

If you have a drill bit set, you can carefully insert the shank end in to get a close size.

[Twhessler]

If you have a drill bit set, you can carefully insert the shank end in to get a close size.

Ok thanks
I'm guessing inches equals caliber ?
So 50 cal=1/2 inch and .25 cal=1/4inch is that is that how it works ?

Thanks, Tom

[mooman76]

You are correct.

[pietro]

Ok thanks
I'm guessing inches equals caliber ?
So 50 cal=1/2 inch and .25 cal=1/4inch is that is that how it works ?

Thanks, Tom

And, a 3/8" = (roughly) a .38cal.


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[oldracer]

Another thing you might consider is if the bore has a choke to it? The only way to tell would be to slug the bore once you have found a close bore size with either drill rod or a bit. I did this to a couple of mine and once the ball goes nearly to the flame hole I stopped and used my CO2 discharger to pop the ball out into a chunk of foam. This told me one gun was choked which really surprised me and the other was not. The lands impression on the ball also told me if the were even and smooth which they were.

[fouronesix]

I'd invest in some basic how-to gun books, reloading manuals and muzzleloader manuals/books.