Gonic Arms

[thabear]

I have a Gonic Arms Model 87 GA in 50 cal. It is an under sized 50 cal so regular concal balls do not fit. Where can I get bullets to fit this rifle?

[arcticap]

Hi thabear,
I've heard of Gonic Arms rifles but am unfamiliar with their bore dimensions & bullet requirements.
I thought that you might be able to find out more information from the company itself, but I don't know if they are still in business. Their website isn't up but maybe their phone works:

Gonic Arms
134 Flagg Road
Gonic, NH 03839
voice: (603) 332-8456
Fax: (603) 332-8457
web: http://www.wbm.ca/wilderness/gonic/
{makes 'magnum' muzzle loaders}
[manufacturer:muzzle loader]

Having said that, have you tried to measure the actual land-to-land diameter of the bore with calipers? That should give an indication about what size projectiles you have the option to choose from.
Many inlines favor shooting plastic sabots, and there are some brands designed to load easier in tight barrels. The first that come to mind are all of the different styles of Powerbelt bullets that have a removable plastic skirt at their base that are designed to load easily and expand upon firing. They [plastic skirted] are supposedly the easiest bullet to load, but your actual bore diameter will determine whether they are small enough to work in your gun.

Powerbelts available from Cabela's:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...pod&id=0012630


Another sabot that claims to be easy loading is the TC Super Glide Shockwave bullet:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...exId=cat200005

Here's all of the Cabela's bullets:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...entId=cat20712

Another poster had a similar bullet question with his .45 Gonic rifle and mentioned that the manual listed the required bullet diameter. Utilizing that strategy, there are some Gonic rifles usually listed on Auction Arms and right now there is a brand new one with an owner's manual included. The other is used and for sale by a knowledgable BP rifle & bullet dealer. You can try to contact either of them for helpful bullet advice as either a current owner and/or interested buyer. Just ask if the manual lists the required bullet for the Gonic .50 rifle, or know about bullet requirements. These auctions are both listed below and will be relisted under a different auction number once the auction expires. Just click on the links in the ad once it expires to follow the new listing to contact the seller (you do need to register with Auction Arms though):

http://www.auctionarms.com/search/di...temNum=8440981

http://www.auctionarms.com/search/di...temnum=8525826

So measure (or slug) the bore, call the company or seek advice from the owner's manual, and then you can begin to hunt down some appropriate bullets to try. Enough people shoot Powerbelts to provide the dimensions of the plastic skirt to see if they will fit. Hopefully they will, unless you want to load solid lead conicals and not saboted or plastic skirted bullets.

BTW, the previous TFL thread about the .45 Gonic Arms and the recommended (or maximum?) bullet diameter being mentioned in the owner's manual is right here:

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...10#post2524610

[jim_greene13778]

I will have bullets for the Gonic Arms Muzzleloaders in the next few months. The are a true .500 bullet made specifically for the Gonic rifles. Feel free to email me here or use the same username as the address for yahoo and you can get me, just put Gonic Bullets in the title. Thanks . . . . . Jim.

[ajspringel]

I saw your post. I also have a Gonic muzzleloader. It's a Gonic Model #93. I am also looking for bullets for it. I noticed you said you would have bullets in the next few months, is that still the case? If so, please reply with any details or info.

[mgysgt]

I have a Gonic Mod. 93 and was wondering if anyone has any info on changing this model from #11 caps to 209 primers

[arcticap]

I ran across these specialty Gonic Sabots which negates the need for specially sized bullets.

...they did offer a 44x50 undersized sabot for those who did not wish to shoot 500-600 grain bullets. The sabots were undersized to take a standard .429"-.430" bullet to their undersized bore diameter.

We managed to locate the current owner of the tooling required to mold these sabots and made a deal with him to do a run for us. They are here and ready to ship.

Gonic sabots can be purchased two ways. Packages of 50 sabots only for $10....

http://prbullet.com/gonic.htm

1-8778-BULLET

[mgysgt]

I have used this co. out of Canada For bullets for my Model #93 They work good with the Gonic Sabbots.www.prbullet.com/

[swbubba]

Anyone know about .54 caliber Gonic Arms muzzleloaders? I won a rifle many years ago and it has a grey synthetic stock. But, no paperwork came with the gun. I cannot get it to shoot in the same general vicinity on the target using standart .54 caliber sabot with a .45 caliber pistol bullet. Lead bullets are hard to get down the barrel in a clean gun and nearly impossible after the first shot.

I guess it has a smaller than standard barrel diameter like the references to same in the other calibers.

Any ideas on where conical bullets can be purchased or perhaps a bullet mold?

SB in Arkansas

[arcticap]

Perhaps a sizing die will work to turn conventional bullets into the proper size. That would require carefully measuring and/or slugging the bore.

This reputable casting outfit makes custom sized conicals:

http://bullshop.gunloads.com/

Harvester makes crush rib .54 sabots that reduce loading friction by up to 50%.

http://www.harvestermuzzleloading.co...hk=1&Itemid=18

Some folks polish or lap the bores of their guns with bore paste and/or polishing compounds when they're too tight. That can help to effectively ease the loading difficulty.

This individual below offers custom .50 Gonic Bullets, and maybe he's also familiar with the requirements for the Gonic .54's and how to best acquire the proper fitting bullets for it.

http://www.nodakoutdoors.com/forums/...p?f=97&t=85817

Gonic Bullets

by jim_greene13778 » Wed Sep 22, 2010 10:07 pm


I just wanted to let people know that I'm looking for a nice Gonic 50 cal rifle. I also want people to know that I have and am making bullets for the Gonic 50 cal rifles. They meet exact specs. set by Mr Rodney himself. Prices will vary depending on amount purchased, so call for pricein - I do have various grains also. I hope this helps everyone that loves the Gonic rifles as much as I do and fills the need for good amunition. You can email me at [email protected] - Thanks . . . . . . . . Jim.

[Lawdog_2010]

I have owned one of their muzzleloaders since 1996. The company is out of buisness now. The tolerances on the barrels and bullets are so tight that if you do not order the bullets from the company you have to run them through a bullet sizer that you ordered from the company. If you want to use sabot's you have to use theirs because they are thinner then the ones you get of the shelf in the store. So with the company being out of buisness it is going to be pretty hard to get bullets, sabots or replacement parts. If anyone wants I can get the measurements from the inside of my resizing die (.50 CAL) and send it to them if they know someone who could make one for them.

[gemihur]

thabear,
http://prbullet.com/gonic.htm

Good luck, great rifle!
Jimmy