Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing NEF 45 cal muzzleloader from a 45-70 barrel?

Is there any reason a 45-70 NEF barrel couldn't be machined out for use with one of the 22 Hornet or 25 ACP breech plugs available then utilized as a muzzleloader? Would the rifling depth and twist be compatible?

I don't know if you could do such a conversion, but I think it would be an unwise use of resources.

You can sell the 45-70 barrel (on EBay or elsewhere), and then use that money to have NEF fit a muzzleloader barrel to your frame. You will be money ahead.

NEF doesn't make a 45 caliber muzzleloader barrel.

CQ,
.45/70 is usually 1/22 twist rifling. A muzzleloader would be 1/32 (for sabot) up to 1/66 (for RB). 'Could be a problem.

Hi I had a H&R 45 muzzle loader and killed deer with it very accurate. BUT it leaked enough in the action that the firing pin would freeze up and rust.it was a real pain to keep clean and firing. I now have a encore that dosen't have that problem. so beware of the cheap breakopens... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

NEF used to make 45 caliber muzzleloaders. I do not know if you can still get them as add-on barrels, but their customer service is usually quite good over the phone. Give them a call.

I have the 50 cal barrel, and have never had any "leaks" whatsoever in the breech plug area or firing pin problems. I have never had any problems hunting with it either, in rain, snow, or cold. And I don't baby my hunting guns. I wonder if a little CLP sprayed into the action would have kept it from rusting, since steel does rust on any gun when it gets wet.

mine used a regular precussion cap and when it was fired the cap usually split and would get blowback through the nipple. I dident wan to spend anything on it for modifying or up dating the system. was real accurate though..

Thanks for the replies. NEF no longer makes a 45 caliber barrel, that was my first hope. Now it seems the rifling twist would not be right. There are after market barrels available but they cost more than a new Handi-rifle!

Hubert,
Your thinking of the old "Huntsman" muzzleloader. The new style NEF uses a plastic jacket which holds the primer (think "Knight stole the idea but marketed it better") and seals the breach area very well from blowback and from rain.

CG,
I think the easy solution is...(drum roll) get a 50 caliber replacement barrel from NEF!