Barrel liner?

[Kent Shootwell]

If you have a barrel that was lined by Hoyt and have a bore scope would you take a photo of the bore for me. I've read a lot of praise of his work and would like to see one or more to help me judge his work.
Thanks

[Black River Smith]

Kent, please excuse my ignorance with the following questions but I do not understand the significance of the information you are asking for and just what to understand.  1st - Aren't all liners supplied by supply houses like Brownell/other and then gunsmiths just bore and install what diameters are commonly available?  2nd - If not then I may understand a little better then - if this man makes his own liners - Does he?

If in fact, he makes his own liners at whatever diameter; number of grooves/depths; and twist rate as customers desire, then I fully understand your interest to see the cutting and polishing of his finished product as installed.

Or -- Are there other factors that I would be interested in looking at if having a barrel lined?  Like bends or curves or waves or off-center boring in the final install?

I have heard this man's name mentioned on other forums lately but have not search out to see if he has a website.  People just supplied his phone number to the questioning parties.

As reference, I had one rifle relined back in '93 and I sent it off to someone that was suggest by a friend and it came back great.  But that was a long time ago and I did not know to ask questions?

Thanks for the helpful hints, you could provide.

[Kent Shootwell]

B. R. Smith, it's my understanding that he does all the steps to the customers requirements. Or he can rebore a barrel to a larger calibre with the twist rate requested. He doesn't have a web site or do Email as best I know. I was hoping to find out something more by seeing his work but have failed to find an example to inspect.

[Jack Wagon]

 I bought a trapdoor that the barrel had been shortened and relined by Hoyt. The inside of the barrel looks like a mirror, so it was tough to get a good pic. It is a shooter and I'm glad I bought it. Hope this helps.  Jw

[Jack Wagon]

A couple more pics.  Jw

[Jack Wagon]

Reline by Hoyt.  Jw

[Kent Shootwell]

Thanks Jack. How's it feel when you push a tight patch through it?
Nice Gemmer, who's work is it?

[Jack Wagon]

No tight spots. I shoot it with black and it's the easiest gun I own to clean up. I was told it was put together by John Bergmann out of Tn.  Jw

[Tascosa Joe]

JW:
That is one awesome Trapdoor.
T-Joe

[Kent Shootwell]

I had sent a 1863 Shiloh Sharps for a relining and when it returned 6 months later the bore was rough and had numerous tight spots. Slugging the bore from the muzzle the bullet stopped 6" ahead  of the breech. That's why I was asking. After talking with him he took full responsibility for the poor work and assured me he'd do a good job if I would return it at his cost.
Today it has come back and the bore is everything I had expected from what has been said about him. On the other hand the chamber bushing is not concentric with the bore and the out side of the barrel has small dings and scratches on it.
Shooting tests to follow.

[Galen]

Mr. Hoyt's work is outstanding.

[Kent Shootwell]

Maybe it was, I'm underwhelmed.

[Kent Shootwell]

After a close inspection of the barrel I found that the bore has numerous tight spots and at the breech the lead from the chamber to the bore has burrs. More importantly the chamber bushing doesn't line up to the bore. This would not allow a cartridge to be used. I removed the bushing and found it was bonded to the barrel with JB Weld. The bushing and counter bore that it goes into are miss-matched and tapered. The fit is terrible. I have rebored the counter bore to be inline with the bore and made a new chamber bushing to fit closely then lead lapped the rifling to remove most of the tight spots. This took many hours and some machine skills that the average fellow may not have available to him. Here's a before photo of the chamber.
The white spots are burrs.
48815BCB-FDB0-4A99-B7A9-9AC4773DA019 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr
The rifle now shoots as this first target at 50 yards shows. 15 shoots then a sight adjustment and three in the X ring.
383D6502-C1B1-43A3-8F7B-FFEC3DAC92E5 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr

[riflee]

What manufacture is your rifle?    Do you get much blow back when firing?  Use of paper cartridges?

[Kent Shootwell]

It's a Shiloh and there's no noticeable blow back. After 20 or so shots the breech works like the first shot. The work that was done to it has left the chamber short for the standard 60 grain cartridge so I'm breech seating the bullet and loading loose powder. I'll have to fix that at a future time.

[Kent Shootwell]

I have finally re-worked the chamber to except a standard 60 grain paper cartridge with the ring tail bullet. This required the removal of the barrel and after indicating in the bore at muzzle and breech the chamber is bored .245" deeper with the lead to the rifling cut at a six-degree taper. A paper cartridge slides into flush using light finger pressures. My lighting for the camera makes it look rougher than it is (low angle) but it's rather smooth. When I can shoot it, I'll post a photo of the group and see if it's still good.
IMG_0991 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr