Author Topic: Octogon to round smoothbore barrel question(s)  (Read 4930 times)

Offline Ezra

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Octogon to round smoothbore barrel question(s)
« on: March 30, 2015, 05:45:09 PM »
Guys,

I am going to be ordering a long, long smoothbore barrel, octagon to round in 16 bore.  ~52" in length.

My questions have to do with the length of the octagon portion of the barrel and basically, what were the traditional lengths of it relative to overall barrel length?  I've always used about 1/3 of overall length for the octagon portion.  If that is so (roughly correct) would it apply to a barrel of this length also? 

Thanks gents.


Ez
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Offline rich pierce

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Re: Octogon to round smoothbore barrel question(s)
« Reply #1 on: March 30, 2015, 08:54:33 PM »
I've studied this and have not found a consensus. I was looking for absolute lengths, proportional to barrel length and relationship between the length of the octagonal portion and forearm length. Got nothing.
Andover, Vermont

Offline Feltwad

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Re: Octogon to round smoothbore barrel question(s)
« Reply #2 on: March 30, 2015, 09:09:51 PM »
Most originals in smoothbore average 1/3 in octangle but it mostly depends on the bore size.IF the gun is to be full stocked a long barrel may need a 1/3 octangle so has not to make  it muzzle heavy. My advice for your 16 gauge with a 52inch barrel  octangle would be 18inches Enclosed are measurements from originals .

4 gauge 77inch barrel has a 24inch octangle
4 gauge 63 inch barrel has a 21inch octangle
8 gauge 53 inch barrel has a 18 inch octangle
8 gauge  42 inch Barrel has a 12inch octangle
12 gauge 38 inch  and 40 inch barrel has a 14 inch octangle

Feltwad

Offline Ezra

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Re: Octogon to round smoothbore barrel question(s)
« Reply #3 on: March 30, 2015, 10:43:51 PM »
Thank you guys.


Ez
"Rules are for the obedience of fools and guidance of wise men"

Offline shortbarrel

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Re: Octogon to round smoothbore barrel question(s)
« Reply #4 on: March 31, 2015, 01:09:57 AM »
Ezra by brother and I were talking about this, this morning. One third is probably about right. I machine barrels for my brother.  Bored, reamed and. rifled, if needed.   He is going to tell me the OD specks tomorrow. The octagon part turns into 16 sides about an inch before  the first wedding band. I don't make barrels to sell, just for pleasure. If i can help let me know.

Offline Ezra

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Re: Octogon to round smoothbore barrel question(s)
« Reply #5 on: March 31, 2015, 03:08:06 AM »
Thanks Shortbarrel, I appreciate that.  ;D


Ez
"Rules are for the obedience of fools and guidance of wise men"

Offline Dr. Tim-Boone

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Re: Octogon to round smoothbore barrel question(s)
« Reply #6 on: March 31, 2015, 03:38:57 AM »
no golden mean???  ... Sorry, I couldn't help myself! ;D ;D ;D
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Offline JDK

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Re: Octogon to round smoothbore barrel question(s)
« Reply #7 on: March 31, 2015, 05:06:07 AM »
Like Rich, I think you will find there is no "rule" as to where the transition must fall, especially on American work.

If you know what your going to build draw it out on paper and see where the transition looks best in reference to your other components.  Could be you like it over the entry pipe.  Maybe it would look best a little behind.

Since you are apparently custom ordering the barrel, you can have it placed where ever you find it fits the your design.

Personally I'd be more concerned about how the maker makes the transition look and whether or not he kept the barrel light enough in the round section.  Too many barrel makers make barrels with funky, unattractive wedding rings that don't look true to period work and need a lot of file work after you get it.  And almost all of them leave way too much metal in the round section.  Fine for a buck and ball gun, but what I've observed, original fowler barrels have walls that are generally pretty thin out front.....very, very thin by modern scattergun standards that most have become accustomed to.

Enjoy, J.D.
J.D. Kerstetter

Offline Kermit

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Re: Octogon to round smoothbore barrel question(s)
« Reply #8 on: March 31, 2015, 07:10:53 AM »
Yup, sketch it out. I'd want the transition to be about where the ramrod entry is.
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Offline alex e.

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Re: Octogon to round smoothbore barrel question(s)
« Reply #9 on: March 31, 2015, 09:19:39 AM »
My 57.5"" barrel, duplicated from an original French barrel. Has a 13"" octagonal section. A few of my original fusil de chases barrels  with   lengths originally 44-46"" have about a 12"" octagonal section.. To me ,things look out of proportion if the octagonal section goes past the entry pipe area.
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Offline JDK

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Re: Octogon to round smoothbore barrel question(s)
« Reply #10 on: March 31, 2015, 03:49:18 PM »
......To me ,things look out of proportion if the octagonal section goes past the entry pipe area.

Yep.  Or a little behind.  The taper of the round section of the barrel barrel lets the upper forearm be more slender.

Gives it the appearance of an even longer gun.  And the shorter the octagon section the lighter the barrel.

Enjoy, J.D.
J.D. Kerstetter

Offline P.W.Berkuta

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Re: Octogon to round smoothbore barrel question(s)
« Reply #11 on: March 31, 2015, 08:25:29 PM »
no golden mean???  ... Sorry, I couldn't help myself! ;D ;D ;D

You BAD BOY  :D ;D!
"The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person who is doing it." - Chinese proverb