Author Topic: Forsyth rifling and Rice Barrel Co  (Read 12719 times)

Offline Kermit

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Forsyth rifling and Rice Barrel Co
« on: September 25, 2011, 05:57:41 PM »
Renner's underhammer blog ( http://underhammers.blogspot.com/ ) has a discussion worth reading re Forsyth rifling. He says Rice is going to do a run of .62cal barrels so rifled. Get on the list early if you want one, I 'spect. I can see one of these on an English sporting rifle or maybe even a jaeger. Not for me, but makes hunting sense.
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Daryl

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Re: Forsyth rifling and Rice Barrel Co
« Reply #1 on: September 25, 2011, 06:42:17 PM »
That will be great.

I spoke with the boys from Rice a couple years ago at Dixon's about making some barrels with Forsyth-style rifling - extra slow, shallow and wide grooves.  In a .62, that would be about 80" to 85" and about .007" deep.  In calibres this small, it's all guess work.
« Last Edit: September 25, 2011, 06:43:31 PM by Daryl »

Online smylee grouch

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Re: Forsyth rifling and Rice Barrel Co
« Reply #2 on: September 25, 2011, 06:57:34 PM »
This sounds like a great express rifle barrel, smaller bore needing larger charges to shoot fast lightweight bullets, in the round ball world anyway.   Smylee

Daryl

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Re: Forsyth rifling and Rice Barrel Co
« Reply #3 on: September 25, 2011, 08:17:47 PM »
The whole idea, is that a larger diameter, almost bore size ball can be loaded with a thinner patch, say .015"patch for example, yet fill the grooves & give good accuracy yet load easily and allow heavier loads for flatter trajectories over hunting ranges and not build fouling shot to shot. That's a tall bill.

This type of rifling might have a definite use in areas that have to use non-lead balls.  Due to being non-compressible, these balls literally cry out for shallow rifling so that the patch can provide the fit and spin to the ball, where the ball's circumference in not 'disturbed' by the lands.  The rifling will have to be slow, to allow the shallow grooves and high velocity with good accuracy.  The shallow grooves also allow the thinner patch for easier loading.

The idea, of course, was developed/designed by Lt. James Forsyth in the mid 1800's. Today, we and our modern barrel makers are still re-learning what was proven to be 'best' way back then.  Forsyth-style rifling was designed for large bore hunting rifles, to produce the highest speeds for flattest trajectories with them, when at that time, the normal gun maker's push was for faster and faster twists which they thought made guns shoot harder - black magic/voodoo or whatever - it's BS.

 Thankfully, a 'forward thinking' person, namely Forsyth though out and  brought forth the truth in the matter and actually published it so we could re-learn as well.  How it will work in small bores, I'm not positive, but it shows promise under some circumstances.

The reason for this type of rifling is quite  simple.  In Forsyth's day, barrel makers were running twists in large bore rifles, 16 through 10 as fast as 2 or 3feet. These fast twists would not allow heavy charges needed to kill dangerous game without the ball and patch stipping. Accuracy suffered and of course, the trajectories with the light loads make hitting problamatice and the wounding of game, the norm.

The slow, shallow rifling of Forsyth's design allowed easy loading, heavy charges and the accuracy actually improved the more powder was used. A man's capability to handle recoil was the only block to the amount of powder used  -  large bores - remember that.

Today, in our .50's, .54's, .58's and .62's, with their 60" to 80" twists, we can use the heaviest powder charges they can use that allow flat shooting loads and top velocities with great accuracy. They too, give better accuracy with the higher speeds we give the ball.  Forsyth rifling may or may not help in these guns - but.

 That style of rifling will allow looser fitting loads to be used - that's a plus for those with small wrist diameters, but it won't allow more powder than can already be used. Today's normal twists are almost slow enough to be Forsyth-style and allow about all the powder than can be utilized.

The difference is some gun makers today still think deeper is better, when that's the wrong direction to go from a hunting rifle standpoint. Yeah - rounded deep rifling easily until they foul out for most people, then they have to wipe  - to the point they think everyone must do the same.  A tight combination like Taylor uses in his .016" rounded rifling Rice barrels, doesn't foul, doesn't build up fouling and it is as easy or easier to load the 50th than the first. THAT's a nugget - pure gold, but it's a tighter combination than some people can load, it seems.  With deep grooves, more of the ball's mass must be moved by the lands if accuracy is a requisit.

Hopefully, the same caliber with Fosyth-style rifling will allow the same or similar accuracy, same clean shooting chacteristics but with loading that can be accomplished by someone who has difficulty with current barrels.

For them, or someone who has to use ITX-type balls, this form of rifling might be a hobby saver.
 

Offline Kermit

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Re: Forsyth rifling and Rice Barrel Co
« Reply #4 on: September 25, 2011, 10:01:03 PM »
Forsyth recommended one turn in 100 to 144 inches, and maintained that heavy balls didn't need faster twists to stabilize. Renner says his experience is that Forsyth rifling looses when the ball is smaller than .58. And it's fun to read Renner's inclusion of the Taylor Knock-out Values comparing a .600 ball with a muzzle velocity of 1700fps with modern cartridges. The thing to remember about the chart he shows is that the .600 ball's energy at range is compared to energy at muzzle for the cartridges! For example, the .600's energy at 150yds is equal to the 180grain .340 Weatherby at the muzzle.
"Anything worth doing is worth doing slowly." Mae West

Daryl

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Re: Forsyth rifling and Rice Barrel Co
« Reply #5 on: September 25, 2011, 10:24:37 PM »
Unless it is mandated by lead-less balls. Then, this style of rifling might be a savior for those such afflicted.  Energy, smenergy - #'s mean nothing and formulae can be contrived to present whatever result is desired - which has nothing to do with the rifling.

Ken Prather had a barrel made up in Forsyth's style, but I haven't heard how it shoots with the ITX balls.

Offline Kermit

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Re: Forsyth rifling and Rice Barrel Co
« Reply #6 on: September 25, 2011, 10:40:42 PM »
...just as easily as numbers can be denied if you don't like them. It's like religion or politics. Just sayin'. I don't have a dog in this fight, I just think it's fun to watch from a neutral corner.
"Anything worth doing is worth doing slowly." Mae West

Offline Ken Prather

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Re: Forsyth rifling and Rice Barrel Co
« Reply #7 on: September 26, 2011, 06:43:06 AM »
Yep-- I had a forsyth inspired 50 cal 38" 1:80" .008" deep rifled barrel made for me by Jason at Rice. It is in an Isaac Haines Chambers gun. Daryl helped me choose this barrel.

I have hunted squirrels with it with both lead (.490 and with .487 ITX non-toxic roundball. .018 cloth patch for lead, and a denim or chamois patch with the ITX (using a range of 80-95 FFF). So far I am three for three on tree rats. I have to say that I am confident hunting with this gun.

I have done only preliminary target work with it, and I am admittedly not a great shot with a rifle... I have had moderate success with paper and gongs and small iron targets out to 100 yards. My usual flinch makes it shoot a little high and to the right--but it shoots that way consistently--which says alot.

Not any kind of solid proof, or perfect test---so far, the only conclusion I can say is--- it certainly has not hurt the accuracy of a flintlock gun to have this type of rifling.

Ken Prather

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Daryl

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Re: Forsyth rifling and Rice Barrel Co
« Reply #8 on: September 26, 2011, 05:01:47 PM »
TKs Ken. How's loading with a decent patch?

Offline Ken Prather

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Re: Forsyth rifling and Rice Barrel Co
« Reply #9 on: September 26, 2011, 06:24:47 PM »
I have had no trouble loading it. I DO use a shortstarter, as the muzzle has a standard crown--not coned.

I think I could go with a .495 lead ball and the .018 patch. The .487 ITX ball loads fine too, but I use a thicker patch--denim or chamois.

I have not shot her since May--my son went off to college this year and I my hobby fund and hobby time is in serious depletion. With Fall-- I always get the bug to get out and burn powder so I will probably be out there soon.

K
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AmBraCol

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Re: Forsyth rifling and Rice Barrel Co
« Reply #10 on: September 26, 2011, 06:54:19 PM »
I keep reading that the Forsythe rifling is not effective on smaller bores.  What I don't understand is WHY.  Why does the concept only work on larger bores?  I've read also that even in the heavier bores one must use heavier charges to see the best accuracy results.  Does this mean that the loads used in the smaller bores with this type of rifling have been too light, folks simply haven't used enough powder to reach the velocity at which they will give the best accuracy?  I like the concept, especially with the idea of being able to use shot in the same barrel and not have it scatter to kingdomcome.

Offline Ken Prather

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Re: Forsyth rifling and Rice Barrel Co
« Reply #11 on: September 26, 2011, 07:25:13 PM »
"I keep reading that the Forsythe rifling is not effective on smaller bores."

I dunno, but it seems to be working ok in my .50 cal. 1:80" would still not work so well for shot I am thinking.

K
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Daryl

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Re: Forsyth rifling and Rice Barrel Co
« Reply #12 on: September 27, 2011, 06:19:42 PM »
I've not read about Forsyth-style rifling not working in small bores - could be just as I guessed at above - rifling twists are already 80" as in GM and 66" in others. These twist rates allow heavy charges already.

The only advantage I see with very slow, shallow rifling, is it will allow a hard ball to be more easily used.

The disadvantage might be the requirement to use heavy charges all the time.

Forsyth was concerned with very LARGE and dangeous game (large 10 rings) hunting accuracy - not with cutting X rings inside an already small 10 ring.  To make a very slow twist barrel give great accuracy, you're going to have to feed it a lot of powder. Not very many people like shooting over 60gr. of powder these days - for them, faster twists should be used.

Offline Ken Prather

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Re: Forsyth rifling and Rice Barrel Co
« Reply #13 on: September 27, 2011, 07:03:01 PM »
I think this Isaac Haines stock is pretty straight and has a pretty good geometry for heavier recoil, as my rifle is a pleasure to shoot at 85-95 gr of FFF. But any heavier and it might get to be bothersome when target shooting for any length of time.

Daryl, what would be the max load for this barrel that I might not wish to go above? I have shot 110 gr of FFF out of it a half a dozen times, but nothing over that, because I kinda felt that the accuracy was starting to open up after 95gr. But I did not notice huge dramatic differences in accuracy once I got up to 80 grains...

Again, my skill level is not high, so some variations I have to attribute to me... I might try to start high and go down to lower charges next time I shoot, to try and eliminate some of the fatigue factor....

Ken
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Daryl

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Re: Forsyth rifling and Rice Barrel Co
« Reply #14 on: September 27, 2011, 07:44:41 PM »
What you put in it for a mximum is your choice. I can only suggest you stay with Rice's guidlines.
 Personally, I'd be switching to 2F as it produces less stress to the patch (and gun), which might be your downfall in accurcy with heavier loads - it is with many people who do not use the tighter combinations we enjoy here.  3F acts more violently with the ball and patch combination, peaking pressure much faster and at a higher level whereas the slower burning 2F is not so abrupt in it's burning characteristics nor does it peak as high for a given speed.  This slower peaking I think, is why it is easier on the patch. Certainly, the info below shows or suggests that the slower peaking is what saves the patch, rather than peak pressure being the culprit.

This difference in powder granulations was shown to me quite dramatically in my .69 cal. rifle, which with a certain denim patch, would not allow more than 90gr. 3f  producing 1,285fps to be used without burning the patches and hurting accuracy. 100gr. burnt the patches - holes as well as shreds, that day of testing, normal spring weather - maybe 60F.  The same patch would allow over 200gr. 2F for 1,700fps without burning the patches, delivered good accuracy and the patches were re-usable, but slightly brown scorched, but not burnt. Obviously, 1,700fps needed more pressure to produce than 1,285fps, yet the patches weren't burnt. I alluded to a possible reason for this, in the preceeding paragraph.

The only .50 I had that would not improve accuracy with more than 110gr.@f was a TC - .004" rilfing and 28" of bl. In it's 48" twist, 110gr. 2F was "it's" load.  Other .50's I've used, mostly Bauska barrels, liked 120gr. 2F with a patched round ball. Great accuracy, little recoil - certainly not noticable for a young, solidly built guy. Wide butt plates certainly help.

I would have no qualms of using up to 130gr. of 2f in that barrel. You should be able to hit 2,200fps in a .50 using 2f powder, with safe pressures.  With 3F, I don't know, but would try with 2F.

A 66" twist will allow 2,000fps with good accuracy, this much I know from my own testing. The 80" twist should allow (or demand) even higher speeds for maximum accuracy. Therein lies the possible 'problem' with the exceptionally slow twists in small bores, in that they possibly demand more powder than most people are willing to use - or  - they demand higher pressures and speeds than the looser combinations will allow.

The slow twists answered the problem originally, of rifle makers putting in too much twist for round balls, indeed, even the slug shooting paradox rifles didn't need faster than 100" of twist to shoot accurately. The slower twists worked perfectly.  In ratio, a 104" (Forsyth's 1/4 turn principal in 26" of bl) in a 14 bore, is equivelent to about a 75" twist in a .50.

From what I've seen with 2f in regards comparrison with 3F, is that switching to 2f is like using a wad between the ball and patch (in comparrison) but without the accuracy harming tendency of patches in some guns and thus allows even greater ie: higher velocity loads to be used.

Offline Ken Prather

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Re: Forsyth rifling and Rice Barrel Co
« Reply #15 on: September 27, 2011, 09:07:48 PM »
I will definitely give that a try. I will try up to 130 of 2F and  then go down incrementally in 5 shot groups. and see how it changes the accuracy. Thanks for the advice.

Ken
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Daryl

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Re: Forsyth rifling and Rice Barrel Co
« Reply #16 on: September 28, 2011, 06:40:19 PM »
This was just posted on another site and deserves to be posted here, further to the Rice barrel company's note about Forsyth barrels. Here's the goods. This was posted by a fellow who builds English Sporting rifles in Africa - handle and name "Gunsports" I think.

Quote
Just a bit of a heads up is anyone is interested. We’ve managed to convince Jason Schneider of Rice barrels to start production of Forsyth pattern barrels in .62 cal. He has agreed to commence manufacture once he has 20 firm orders for these barrels. Price for the barrel is expected to be $260.00 and barrel detail is as follows: Cal: .62; length: 31”; shape: octagonal, swamped; width of breech: 1 1/8”; groove width: .200”; land width: .040”; no of grooves; 8; depth of grooves: .005-.006”; rifling twist: 1:95. Max allowable powder charge: 200gr.

Jason had tested one of these barrels previously. This is what he found: “I built a 62.cal with 1-95 twist. The barrel was tapered 1 1/8" to 1" x 34" long. It took 140 gr 2F before accuracy was acceptable. With 160 gr. three round (groups) were touching at 100 yds. The same with 180 gr. and 200 gr. The velosity with the 200 gr charge was just shy of 2000 fps.” This is serious medicine in anyone’s language. I think more than suitable for any North American game and also, for most of Africa’s game, shy of buff and tuskers.

Jason can be contacted at: blackpowder@ricebarrels.com. He will probably agree to make straight taper barrels as well. Other calibers are on the horizon; if this venture pans out.

We (In South Africa) have been searching and looking for Forsyth pattern barrels for some time now. This is an fortuitous opportunity to acquire barrels in calibers that are perfectly suited to our style and conditions of hunting. Local shooters are scrimping and saving like crazy to order barrels and I guess; I’m going to be busy for a while building English style sporting rifles.

Dave Faletti

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Re: Forsyth rifling and Rice Barrel Co
« Reply #17 on: September 29, 2011, 04:18:59 AM »
What is the profile on the barrel I wonder?  That could be rather light if its got much swamp to it.

Daryl

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Re: Forsyth rifling and Rice Barrel Co
« Reply #18 on: September 29, 2011, 05:06:02 PM »
The sound like the standard Jaeger 31" barrel to me. A phone call would give exact measurements, I'd expect.

gunsports

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Re: Forsyth rifling and Rice Barrel Co
« Reply #19 on: November 02, 2011, 09:53:51 PM »
Been a fan of Forsyth since I managed to buy his book (now available for download on Google books). I am the "Gunsports" Daryl is referring to. Seems there will be enough orders for Jason to commence making them. They are available in either swamped or straight taper.

Recently took delivery of 2 x 12 bore Forsyth pattern barrels that were custom built over your way (not by Jason). Both are 31" in length, heavy straight taper profile, 8 narrow lands, wide shallow grooves, .070" groove depth; 1:104 twist. Both are destined to be built on English sporting rifle patterns and both will (hopefully) be aimed at Cape Buffalo in the coming year or two. One was for an American client, the other I ordered for myself. Alas, another of my US clients 'spoke' for the barrel, so I guess I'll have drag some grooves through a 12 bore billet I have lying around in the shop.

Why Forsyth? I guess over here, much of our hunting is for plains game. Our beasties are a little bigger (some say tougher) and tend to stand a little further away. Now, unless you can slither like a snake, you'll have to 'reach out and touch' your target a little further out.

That's where the large powder charges and the flatter trajectory comes into its own. Off course, being able to use a hardened ball helps too.

leatherman

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Re: Forsyth rifling and Rice Barrel Co
« Reply #20 on: November 03, 2011, 03:29:47 AM »
Nice to see you here on this forum Glen. It will be a great test of the Forsyth concept and maybe we Whitesmoke members will have started a new fad. For those of you who dont know, Whitesmoke is a South African Black Powder club with their own forum and over 1000 members. It is from this group that the interest has urged Jason at Rice to make a special run of Forsyth rifles barrels. I have my order in for a .62 barrel in the 31" profile to drop in Chambers English sporting rifle kit. Then I will need to test it on some of those Tuff critters over there.

Daryl

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Re: Forsyth rifling and Rice Barrel Co
« Reply #21 on: November 03, 2011, 03:33:06 AM »
Sounds great, Guys. I suspect Gunsport meant .007" rifling depth.

billd

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Re: Forsyth rifling and Rice Barrel Co
« Reply #22 on: November 03, 2011, 03:54:33 AM »
Leatherman,    Rice makes two different profile 31" Jaeger barrels.   My understanding is the one Jim uses is lighter and Jason will only go up to  .58 in that one.    I may be all wrong but I would double check with Jason just to verify.

From your post it looks like your planning a safari.   If you need a gun bearer my email is in my profile. ;D

Bill
« Last Edit: November 03, 2011, 03:56:05 AM by Bill D »

leatherman

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Re: Forsyth rifling and Rice Barrel Co
« Reply #23 on: November 03, 2011, 04:28:58 AM »
From your post it looks like your planning a safari.   If you need a gun bearer my email is in my profile.

Bill , Going over for my second trip. You just cant go over once. I built a Chambers Sporting rifle .58 caliber for this next trip. The Forsyth rifle will be for the next trip after that and then......  Got a full camp already for this coming trip but maybe the next trip.

gunsports

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Re: Forsyth rifling and Rice Barrel Co
« Reply #24 on: November 03, 2011, 09:35:30 AM »
Sounds great, Guys. I suspect Gunsport meant .007" rifling depth.

My bad, sorry. yes, groove depth is .007" Old age I guess.

Gary, Howdy ... Glad to see you joined the .62 Forsyth club. BTW, I have some .025 silver sheet here ex Track. Can it be used for wire inlay? Seems thin enough. Going to use it on a .62 (42", 1;66) long English flinter I have started building (scratch build). Except for barrel (Colerain Griffen) and lock (Chambers) I am going to make all the parts myself. BTW2: My name is on Jason's Forsyth #2!