I know this isn't exactly a longrifle question, but I thought someone here could help. I had helped my now ex-son-in-law (best kind) build a copy of a Bridger Hawken rifle. I gave him an old percussion lock and triggers made by Ron Long in Denver and a old barrel I had acquired somewhere at least 25 years ago and he bought most of the other small parts and a stock from Track. When they split up, I kept everything and just set it aside. Now about 15 years later, my daughter wants me to finish the gun for her. The barrel is where I need info.
It is a tapered octagon 1 1/8" to 1" and only 30" long. The muzzle isn't crowned so I am guessing it was shortened from a longer barrel. It has quite a bit of brown rust on the barrel, but it had never been used. There was a homemade, partially finished patent breech plug installed but we removed it and installed a new one with matching tang from Track. There are no markings of any kind on the barrel. I recently slugged the barrel so I could tell my daughter what caliber it was, but I was surprised that the bore diameter is 0.602"(to bottom of grooves). I did it twice with the same results. There are 8 evenly spaced lands and grooves with flat bottom grooves.
I know it is going to be pretty impossible, but can anyone give me some idea as to who may have made the barrel and how long ago? Also, any suggestions on a good starting patch and ball size combination using hopefully a standard ball size?
