Would you shoot this barrel?

[Tar Heel]

Good catch!

[GregLaROCHE]

That’s one of those things, that if you never knew about it, you could probably keep shooting it for many years. Unfortunately, now that you know about it, it needs to be addressed. Cracks like to spread and it’s not even like you had access to drill out the ends of the crack to keep it from migrating.

Was the barrel new to you, unfired? Otherwise, maybe someone used some smokeless with it.

New replacement barrels are not all that expensive these days, but better hurry up before the full force of the Covid inflation hits.

[Shawlerbrook]

I remember back when a few different muzzleloaders that were made in Spain had that problem. I think CVA were one, not sure where Lyman is made.

[Sasquatch-1]

Optics Planet has a replacement barrel listed but it seems a little steep to me at $310.00. But here is the link if you are interested.

https://www.opticsplanet.com/lyman-g...nt-barrel.html

Also, you may want to check out Bobby Hoyt in Pennsylvania for a barrel.

[Edward]

Optics Planet has a replacement barrel listed but it seems a little steep to me at $310.00. But here is the link if you are interested.

https://www.opticsplanet.com/lyman-g...nt-barrel.html

Also, you may want to check out Bobby Hoyt in Pennsylvania for a barrel.

That"s not steep just going price , and I dont think Bob would work with that barrel (liability issues ) and custom ?Hold onto your wallet just got a replacement from Rice barrels (excellent) @ $475.00 before shipping /Ed

[243winxb]

Waiting for the proof test firing. Try to blow it up. Video please.

Proof load- Double charge of 3F, 2 patched balls, gun barrel action in old tires @ the end of 50 yards heavy fishing line.

Hide behind something. Dont look.

If your never going to shoot it again? And Lyman doesnt want it back, under the recall.

[Wayne Smith]

Waiting for the proof test firing. Try to blow it up. Video please.

Proof load- Double charge of 3F, 2 patched balls, gun barrel action in old tires @ the end of 50 yards heavy fishing line.

Hide behind something. Dont look.

If your never going to shoot it again? And Lyman doesnt want it back, under the recall.

No, replacement barrels for those are drop in - well worth not blowing up the stock! Just get a new barrel and keep shooting. I pull the barrel and lock every time I shoot/clean mine. No harder to put another barrel in. For those it's easy to make it a flintlock, also, if you want.

[Bphunter]

That’s one of those things, that if you never knew about it, you could probably keep shooting it for many years. Unfortunately, now that you know about it, it needs to be addressed. Cracks like to spread and it’s not even like you had access to drill out the ends of the crack to keep it from migrating.

Was the barrel new to you, unfired? Otherwise, maybe someone used some smokeless with it.

New replacement barrels are not all that expensive these days, but better hurry up before the full force of the Covid inflation hits.

Yeah, I bought it new from Sportsman's Warehouse back 11 years ago. I looked at Optics Planet, but they are only taking back-orders now. Lyman doesn't have a direct replacement available in inventory but the customer service manager is trying to hook me up. It's nice to have someone who cares to get back with you within a day and try to help you out! I really like this rifle and it's my primary match rifle, so I will find a barrel for it eventually. It is kinda hard paying over $300 for a rifle that cost me $385 brand new, but what are you gonna do? I will have to draw file and brown a new barrel to match the old one, but it will be totally worth it.

[Bphunter]

Waiting for the proof test firing. Try to blow it up. Video please.

Proof load- Double charge of 3F, 2 patched balls, gun barrel action in old tires @ the end of 50 yards heavy fishing line.

Hide behind something. Dont look.

If your never going to shoot it again? And Lyman doesnt want it back, under the recall.

Sounds like fun, but I put way too much effort into refinishing the stock to risk blowing it up! Might even loose my range privileges if someone saw what I was up to....

[GregLaROCHE]

Maybe, but barrel staples and attachments would have to relocated. I'm looking for a replacement that I can just brown and drop in.

I think that’s your best bet.

[SeaMonkey]

Bore Erosion and Micro Cracking is actually quite normal as a consequence of shooting.

This Video explains what it is and how it develops.

Black Powder barrels aren't subjected to the intense stresses shown in the video but the process in Muzzle Loaders is identical though on a much reduced scale.

The Micro Cracks are very shallow and do not extend into the barrel metal which has retained its annealing and strength.

An experienced riflesmith would be able to evaluate the micro-cracks to determine whether they represent any danger of a weakened barrel.

While it is unlikely, for peace of mind it would probably be best to have them examined by one who knows.

[sharps4590]

Magnaflux, remove all doubt. Then shoot to your hearts content.

[Sasquatch-1]

Waiting for the proof test firing. Try to blow it up. Video please.

Proof load- Double charge of 3F, 2 patched balls, gun barrel action in old tires @ the end of 50 yards heavy fishing line.

Hide behind something. Dont look.

If your never going to shoot it again? And Lyman doesnt want it back, under the recall.

Iraq Veteran 8888 blows up a couple of old CVA's showing what happens with overloads and smokeless powder.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=en384qVqrug

[243winxb]

Take the barrel out of the stock to proof test. Remove flash hole. Insert cannon fuse into barrel with proof load. Light. Run like hell.

I proof tested old BP shotguns sitting in old tires, this way. This cannon i made from 1/2" galvanized pipe, passed proof. The first wood mount had a fixed, non-moving barrel. Put sights on it for the 50 yard group. Hot loads busted the wood. Made current one with wheels. It to busted the wood. Now coated, repaired with Brownells acraglas. Now strong as steel. Shoot blanks for July 4th.

[GregLaROCHE]

Magnaflux, remove all doubt. Then shoot to your hearts content.

You don’t need to Magnaflux to see that crack.

[Cane_man]

Take the barrel out of the stock to proof test. Remove flash hole. Insert cannon fuse into barrel with proof load. Light. Run like hell.

I proof tested old BP shotguns sitting in old tires, this way. This cannon i made from 1/2" galvanized pipe, passed proof. The first wood mount had a fixed, non-moving barrel. Put sights on it for the 50 yard group. Hot loads busted the wood. Made current one with wheels. It to busted the wood. Now coated, repaired with Brownells acraglas. Now strong as steel. Shoot blanks for July 4th.

that looks like fun!

[garbler]

There are several ways of determining the depth and nature of those fractures using common NDT methods ( non destructive testing ). However I think the smart move is to contact Lyman first and if that fails and you still need to know UT/ultrasonic testing or Mag-Particle ( magnaflux ) testing. Either method will confirm depth location and size of these fractures. X-ray will also do the same but is normally pricey if they come to you. Anyway UT testing of steel tubes and piping is a big business so no shortage of options. If it were me I’d send or take barrel to one of the labs. I’m out of the business so can’t help you.

After reading my post I think I should add a bit. None of the above test procedures will tell you what or why. What caused them and why, for that you’ll need a metallurgist and they will cut up the barrel, i.e. destructive testing. Your macro photos are pretty decent and from what I see I’d probably save your testing dollars toward a new barrel.

[Edward]

The last post was the best post /Ed

[Gtek]

Having thought about this for several days and the what would I do scenarios played out, not being educated on this particular rifle I went to looking. 48 twist and roundball? If no external damage why not look into reline with a 66-72 saving configuration and previous external work and probably cheaper than a new barrel install. No guarantee of total success but would think it high percentage removing most of if not all critical cracked and stressed area in drilling for liner. Cut off 2" (think that would be enough by your 1/2"-3/4" forward measurement) and move dove tails on bottom and cut a little off aft lower rib/rod. I thought I've seen that as the Hunter model 30"? And as stated earlier, your ten year old shot enough barrel in incredibly spotless clean clean, would enjoy reading your cleaning process. There is a fellow on here that is an artist with that liner stuff!

[Bphunter]

I tried a long list of online stores (including the ones mentioned above) and nobody had a lefty GPR barrel in stock. So I contacted Lyman and they too had no .54 barrels but they were able to find me a .50 cal slow-twist barrel. Since this is my primary match rifle, .50 cal will be a little more pleasant to shoot anyway (and cheaper). I'm probably lucky to have this one since Lyman dropped Investarms and now uses Pedersoli. Sadly, there are no left-hand GPR's in the Pedersoli lineup.