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32 Caliber GM Blank --- I am such a Newb (Read 1841 times)

westerner Frequent Elocutionist Offline deleted posts and threads record holder. Posts: 11837 Location: Why, out West of course Joined: May 29^th, 2006	Re: 32 Caliber GM Blank --- I am such a Newb Reply #15 - Aug 9^th, 2025 at 12:26am	Print Post
	Here's John with his 51 Stevens. The barrel is .321, 14 twist. The GM barrel started out exactly like the barrel in question in this thread. Straight octagon. Not a muzzle loading barrel. First shot out of the barrel was a 24 and the next five shots were 25s at 200 yards. I still have one of the blanks. I purchased six blanks and as far as I know none have blown up yet.

	A blind squirrel runs into a tree every once in a while.
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ssdave Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1986 Location: Eastern Oregon Joined: Apr 16^th, 2004	Re: 32 Caliber GM Blank --- I am such a Newb Reply #16 - Aug 9^th, 2025 at 12:44am	Print Post
	marlinguy wrote on Aug 9^th, 2025 at 12:18am: ssdave wrote on Aug 8^th, 2025 at 9:55pm: The straight octagon (no taper) Green mountain barrels were intended for muzzle loaders and are indeed of leaded steel. Dave are you saying any GM barrel that's straight octagon and not tapered is a muzzleloader barrel? That's not quite true if that's what you mean. GM lists straight octagon barrels on their site as "BPCR barrels" which I'd take to mean black powder CARTRIDGE rifle barrels. They sell them as straight octagon, and straight round both, plus tapered octagon too. (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links) No, just those old, straight, slightly smaller barrels that were a bit under 1-1/8". The other distinguising feature I remember of them was the finish. They are polished well, and have a unique polished radius on the ends. The newer, heavy BPCR barrels are larger diameter and aren't finished that way. I remember when GM first started moving from muzzleloader barrels into more mainstream barrels. I bought a lot of barrels from them that I contoured, and/or resold. I remember when these barrels were offered, and they clearly stated the material at that time, and if you called them, they told you to use their other barrels instead if you were building a cartridge gun. These were 1/2 the price or less of a cro-moly barrel at the beginning, and were 1/4 the price when they closed them out. The distinguising feature of them was that they were less than 1-1/8". These barrels were bought by many thinking they were cartridge rifle steel. A lot of them were not used, because knowledgeable gunsmiths refused to chamber them in modern cartridges. So, they resurface over and over again, on ebay or gun boards at an attractive price. At least the seller in this case clearly disclosed that they were not cro-moly barrels. On ebay they are just usually sold as mystery barrels. It's more or less a free country, and individuals are free to make their own choices on whether or not to use them for cartridge guns. As Wes Turner said, his haven't blown up yet. I'd just prefer to not take that chance, and much appreciate having a larger margin of safety against disaster if I make an error in loading. And, not have to worry about fatigue cycles in the steel.


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marlinguy Frequent Elocutionist Offline Ballards may be weaker, but they sure are neater! Posts: 17117 Location: Oregon Joined: Feb 2^nd, 2009	Re: 32 Caliber GM Blank --- I am such a Newb Reply #17 - Aug 9^th, 2025 at 9:15am	Print Post
	Seems odd that GM would build barrels in bore diameters and twist rates that are designed for cartridge rifles, then tell customers not to buy them to use on a cartridge rifle? ML barrels almost always have slower twist rates, and different bore and groove diameters, so it seems those barrels were built for cartridge rifles when they were made.

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2152hq Newbie Offline Posts: 9 Joined: Oct 18^th, 2024	Re: 32 Caliber GM Blank --- I am such a Newb Reply #18 - Aug 9^th, 2025 at 12:54pm	Print Post
	A M/L'dr bbl in 32cal for a round ball would have a twist rate in the 1-48 range would it not for most off the shelf offerings.


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westerner Frequent Elocutionist Offline deleted posts and threads record holder. Posts: 11837 Location: Why, out West of course Joined: May 29^th, 2006	Re: 32 Caliber GM Blank --- I am such a Newb Reply #19 - Aug 9^th, 2025 at 4:07pm	Print Post
	Here's a Ballard with one of the reputed muzzleloader GM blank barrels.

	A blind squirrel runs into a tree every once in a while.
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RJ-35-40 Full Member Offline Posts: 182 Joined: Dec 7^th, 2016	Re: 32 Caliber GM Blank --- I am such a Newb Reply #20 - Aug 9^th, 2025 at 4:48pm	Print Post
	WOW, Chamber...? Cartridge? Cast or forged receiver..? Museum Quality. Thanks for sending the picture... Someday when my baby safe grows up, it's going to have one of those.. westerner wrote on Aug 9^th, 2025 at 4:07pm: Here's a Ballard with one of the reputed muzzleloader GM blank barrels.


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bobw Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1875 Location: NW, Iowa Joined: Mar 19^th, 2013	Re: 32 Caliber GM Blank --- I am such a Newb Reply #21 - Aug 9^th, 2025 at 6:05pm	Print Post
	westerner wrote on Aug 9^th, 2025 at 4:07pm: Here's a Ballard with one of the reputed muzzleloader GM blank barrels. Westerner, I’m curious how the starter was configured to that barrel. I’m assuming it was added later and not made with the barrel. Bob

	Robert Warren
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westerner Frequent Elocutionist Offline deleted posts and threads record holder. Posts: 11837 Location: Why, out West of course Joined: May 29^th, 2006	Re: 32 Caliber GM Blank --- I am such a Newb Reply #22 - Aug 9^th, 2025 at 6:46pm	Print Post
	Yes Bob. Wanted to see if I could do it. Cut the blank off then poured chamber casting alloy in the barrel. Pushed it up and slipped the false muzzle part on. Drilled and added the pins. Turned out good. Rifle is 32-40 straight taper. GM 1137 barrel. 14 twist and about .321 groove diameter. Has shot many small groups. I should use it more Forged receiver. I assume it started out as a # 8 union hill.

	A blind squirrel runs into a tree every once in a while.
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bobw Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1875 Location: NW, Iowa Joined: Mar 19^th, 2013	Re: 32 Caliber GM Blank --- I am such a Newb Reply #23 - Aug 9^th, 2025 at 8:17pm	Print Post
	westerner wrote on Aug 9^th, 2025 at 6:46pm: Yes Bob. Wanted to see if I could do it. Cut the blank off then poured chamber casting alloy in the barrel. Pushed it up and slipped the false muzzle part on. Drilled and added the pins. Turned out good. Rifle is 32-40 straight taper. GM 1137 barrel. 14 twist and about .321 groove diameter. Has shot many small groups. I should use it more Forged receiver. I assume it started out as a # 8 union hill. I had heard this is how some where being done. I don’t want to runaway with this thread but someday I’d like to get into the detail of how it was done. Be fun to see if I can do it! Bob

	Robert Warren
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bobw Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1875 Location: NW, Iowa Joined: Mar 19^th, 2013	Re: 32 Caliber GM Blank --- I am such a Newb Reply #24 - Aug 9^th, 2025 at 8:18pm	Print Post
	westerner wrote on Aug 9^th, 2025 at 4:07pm: Here's a Ballard with one of the reputed muzzleloader GM blank barrels. By the way…..Beautiful gun. Bob

	Robert Warren
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marlinguy Frequent Elocutionist Offline Ballards may be weaker, but they sure are neater! Posts: 17117 Location: Oregon Joined: Feb 2^nd, 2009	Re: 32 Caliber GM Blank --- I am such a Newb Reply #25 - Aug 9^th, 2025 at 8:58pm	Print Post
	westerner wrote on Aug 9^th, 2025 at 6:46pm: Yes Bob. Wanted to see if I could do it. Cut the blank off then poured chamber casting alloy in the barrel. Pushed it up and slipped the false muzzle part on. Drilled and added the pins. Turned out good. Rifle is 32-40 straight taper. GM 1137 barrel. 14 twist and about .321 groove diameter. Has shot many small groups. I should use it more Forged receiver. I assume it started out as a # 8 union hill. Pretty clever Joe, and a beautiful Ballard too! Nicely done.

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RJ-35-40 Full Member Offline Posts: 182 Joined: Dec 7^th, 2016	Re: 32 Caliber GM Blank --- I am such a Newb Reply #26 - Aug 10^th, 2025 at 9:52pm	Print Post
	RE: false muzzle.. I watched Paul Shuttleworth describe this process in his shop. I don't recall him doing the chamber cast step... but it was 25 years ago. westerner wrote on Aug 9^th, 2025 at 6:46pm: Yes Bob. Wanted to see if I could do it. Cut the blank off then poured chamber casting alloy in the barrel. Pushed it up and slipped the false muzzle part on. Drilled and added the pins. Turned out good. Rifle is 32-40 straight taper. GM 1137 barrel. 14 twist and about .321 groove diameter. Has shot many small groups. I should use it more Forged receiver. I assume it started out as a # 8 union hill.


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DoubleD Oldtimer Offline Posts: 725 Location: Edmond Joined: Feb 14^th, 2006	Re: 32 Caliber GM Blank --- I am such a Newb Reply #27 - Aug 11^th, 2025 at 8:57am	Print Post
	To add to this confusion, wasn't there a LaSalle Stress proof steel that way back when was touted the new and steel for modern gun barrels, that went through a number of failures due inclusions-and was a leaded steel? Was it one these steel you fellows are mentioning? I think there was discussion here on the forum about one of the popular barrel makes selling barrels made from this steel. I also seem to remember it may have been Douglas that had issues or discovered the cause. Could also be an old mans mixed up memory. But maybe not.

	Douglas, Ret.
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RJ-35-40 Full Member Offline Posts: 182 Joined: Dec 7^th, 2016	Re: 32 Caliber GM Blank --- I am such a Newb Reply #28 - Aug 11^th, 2025 at 9:53am	Print Post
	Bob W, I like Westerners technique for perfect alignment. Seem to recall one guy who said he drilled 3 holes in the end of a barrel to be shortened deep enough for the pins, Then he he cut off the piece he need for the false muzzle with a very thin band saw blade. I don't know if width of the saw cut would cause the lands and the grooved to be misaligned somewhat..? bobw wrote on Aug 9^th, 2025 at 8:17pm: westerner wrote on Aug 9^th, 2025 at 6:46pm: Yes Bob. Wanted to see if I could do it. Cut the blank off then poured chamber casting alloy in the barrel. Pushed it up and slipped the false muzzle part on. Drilled and added the pins. Turned out good. Rifle is 32-40 straight taper. GM 1137 barrel. 14 twist and about .321 groove diameter. Has shot many small groups. I should use it more Forged receiver. I assume it started out as a # 8 union hill. I had heard this is how some where being done. I don’t want to runaway with this thread but someday I’d like to get into the detail of how it was done. Be fun to see if I can do it! Bob


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marlinguy Frequent Elocutionist Offline Ballards may be weaker, but they sure are neater! Posts: 17117 Location: Oregon Joined: Feb 2^nd, 2009	Re: 32 Caliber GM Blank --- I am such a Newb Reply #29 - Aug 11^th, 2025 at 10:20am	Print Post
	RJ-35-40 wrote on Aug 10^th, 2025 at 9:52pm: RE: false muzzle.. I watched Paul Shuttleworth describe this process in his shop. I don't recall him doing the chamber cast step... but it was 25 years ago. westerner wrote on Aug 9^th, 2025 at 6:46pm: Yes Bob. Wanted to see if I could do it. Cut the blank off then poured chamber casting alloy in the barrel. Pushed it up and slipped the false muzzle part on. Drilled and added the pins. Turned out good. Rifle is 32-40 straight taper. GM 1137 barrel. 14 twist and about .321 groove diameter. Has shot many small groups. I should use it more Forged receiver. I assume it started out as a # 8 union hill. The usual procedure for making a false muzzle barrel is to bore the blank, then make the false muzzle pins and fit the false muzzle to the barrel. Then once fitted you secure it and rifle the barrel with false muzzle in place to get perfect alignment. Joe did his after the barrel blank was rifled, which is a task he is talented enough to accomplish. Not something most gunsmiths would take on. I have a false muzzle Schoyen Ballard I'd love to find the false muzzle for, or find someone who could build a false muzzle that was a smooth bore, just to make the rifle set complete.

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