Author Topic: Barrel Cone  (Read 3612 times)

NSBrown

  • Guest
Barrel Cone
« on: June 25, 2012, 05:16:34 PM »
I am nearing the completion of a .58 cal. Virginia, and I am considering coning the barrel. But I've been wondering, if the barrel is coned for an easy start, is there a problem cutting the patch at the top of the ball? Or does the coning necessitate pre-cut patches?

Offline David Rase

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4320
  • If we need it here, make it here. Charlie Daniels
Re: Barrel Cone
« Reply #1 on: June 25, 2012, 05:24:27 PM »
From my personal experience, I have found that once the muzzle is coned you are committed to precut patches.  If you can push the patched ball in with your thumb you can easily remove it while pulling on the patch material to cut it. 
Hopefully we can stay on topic and not have this post erode into the coned muzzle vs unconed muzzle fiasco we are all too familiar with! ;D ;D
Dave 

NSBrown

  • Guest
Re: Barrel Cone
« Reply #2 on: June 25, 2012, 05:47:24 PM »
For that very reason I took a deep breath before I posted the specific question.

Offline volatpluvia

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 456
  • Doing mission work in sunny south, Mexico
Re: Barrel Cone
« Reply #3 on: June 25, 2012, 05:56:54 PM »
If your cone is not too big it is better.  I had a coned barrel with a really large cone.  I sometimes lost the ball down the barrel while trying to center it on a round store bought patch.  A larger patch will help compensate.
volatpluvia
I believe, therefore I speak.  Apostle Paul.

Offline Eric Laird

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 118
Re: Barrel Cone
« Reply #4 on: June 25, 2012, 07:23:20 PM »
I have two that are coned, one a .50 and the other a .58. I have no problem thumb starting and cutting a patch at the muzzle, but as volatpluvia pointed out, a cone "not too big" is the answer. The devil is in figuring out what not too big is for your rifle. Mine are coned but not all the way to the point of completely removing the lands of the rifling. Just my experience.
Eric
Eric Laird

NSBrown

  • Guest
Re: Barrel Cone
« Reply #5 on: June 25, 2012, 08:39:55 PM »
I think what I'll do is: Use a ball and patch combination appropriate to the barrel...and then try/fit while coning. The trick will be to stop before I cone too much.

Offline Dr. Tim-Boone

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 6538
  • I Like this hat!!
Re: Barrel Cone
« Reply #6 on: June 25, 2012, 09:16:26 PM »
well there is one other thing....... a sharp knife makes all the difference in the world!!!  ;D ;D
De Oppresso Liber
Marietta, GA

Liberty is the only thing you cannot have unless you are willing to give it to others. – William Allen White

Learning is not compulsory...........neither is survival! - W. Edwards Deming

Online wattlebuster

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2088
Re: Barrel Cone
« Reply #7 on: June 27, 2012, 02:26:19 AM »
All my rifles are coned an I have no problem cutting the patch at the muzzle. But like Dr. Boone said a sharp knife makes it so much the better ;D
Nothing beats the feel of a handmade southern iron mounted flintlock on a cold frosty morning

Offline Habu

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1190
Re: Barrel Cone
« Reply #8 on: June 27, 2012, 03:22:54 AM »
It seems it would depend on both the diameter of the muzzle relief and the depth.  I shot a .58 for a time that had been lightly "coned" at the muzzle by relieving the lands and grooves with a file.  The relief was done to a depth of just over 1/2" and was about .005" at the muzzle.  There was no problem cutting patches at the muzzle.