Author Topic: barrel for longrifle  (Read 5563 times)

hmcguire0021

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barrel for longrifle
« on: November 01, 2013, 04:52:49 AM »
looking to build my first longrifle.what is the most accurate and best swamped barrel to use?

Offline Paddlefoot

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Re: barrel for longrifle
« Reply #1 on: November 01, 2013, 05:11:43 AM »
Most of the modern barrel makers do a really good job. You'll see the names Colraine and Rice pretty regularly. Getz has a great reputation but seems harder to find.  There are older makers you'll run across here and there and you'll want to check them out here on a one by one basis. There are other make to order makers and you'll hear about them if you hang around here very long. If you haven't checked out Track Of The Wolf, Chambers and Knob Mountain you would be well advised to do that before you start in buying stuff. Read and study first is generally a good thing/
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Offline Mark Elliott

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Re: barrel for longrifle
« Reply #2 on: November 01, 2013, 05:41:18 AM »
That is a pretty much impossible question to answer, especially without offending the folks who make them and are also on this forum.    The thing is that each maker makes so many different types of barrels, grades, and variations, it is difficult to generalize.   I personally prefer Rice and Getz because they are generally better finished and leave less work that I have to do.    That doesn't mean that any other barrel will perform less well.    Rice is the only manufacturer with reasonably modern equipment and they also burnish the bore and rifling with a carbide cutter when done.   Given that, there might be some expectation that their barrels are consistently better, but they are still made one at a time by one person who can have a bad day or have a equipment problem.  Of course the same applies to all the other makers who can have good days and bad days and variations in the performance of their equipment.   

With a muzzleloader,  the load (ball size, weight, and uniformity; patch weave, density, thickness; lubricant type, amount, and application; and powder make, granulation, and charge size) and  loading and shooting technique as well as rifle construction can affect accuracy.   The barrel is the most important part of the gun, but many other things can compromise its function. 

As with most everything else with gun building,   the answer to your question is "it depends." I really wouldn't worry about barrel quality or accuracy at this point.   Just figure out want you would like to build and try to find a stylistically appropriate barrel.   Unless you are willing to wait a year or more,   the best barrel is most likely going to be the one you can get.   Most likely, the barrel, whatever you choose,  will shoot much better than you can.

   


Offline rich pierce

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Re: barrel for longrifle
« Reply #3 on: November 01, 2013, 05:47:24 AM »
looking to build my first longrifle.what is the most accurate and best swamped barrel to use?

The one you make or own is usually the most accurate and best.  

You won't find a consensus, because different folks rate things differently.  Fine match shooters shooting over the log might find most available barrels deficient.  Most barrels out there are sufficiently accurate to eke out 2" groups at 100 yards in the right hands.  Some want a particular barrel steel, some like a fine external finish or a particular profile, and some want an affordable price.  Others like to pay more figuring it must be better.

Which are better, Ford, Chevy or Dodge trucks?  Or is it's Toyota?  Same deal.  They are all darn good and generally better in some ways than many available 25 years ago.
« Last Edit: November 01, 2013, 05:48:24 AM by rich pierce »
Andover, Vermont

Offline bob in the woods

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Re: barrel for longrifle
« Reply #4 on: November 01, 2013, 06:29:52 AM »
Caliber,length,etc all play a part. I usually go with the one that I can get at the time. ;D
Seriously...type of grooves ie round bottom or square, etc are questions you need to ask yourself.  Ed Rayl, Colerain, Getz, Long Hammock, Rice, Green Mountain ...I've used them all.
Anyone of them will most likely shoot better than you can hold with the proper load.
There are others, but if you want longer lengths, that will limit your selection.

Offline WadePatton

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Re: barrel for longrifle
« Reply #5 on: November 01, 2013, 08:30:53 AM »
How much do you want to pay and how long do have to wait?

The bigger makers often have product already in distributor/retailer hands (even on "sale" sometimes). Those are "Pay and Get" - with shipping time the only delay.  The one-man shops (there are many) rarely have "stock on hand" but build to order and usually cost a little more (for many reasons, economies of scale being a major one), but can offer a variety of options not found in the P&G. 

Charles Burton made a barrel for me and I'm quite satisfied and the delivery time and price, plus i wasn't limited to any pre-determined length or caliber* or contour or rate of twist or shape of grooves.  It's looks great and i expect it to shoot great and if it were to give any issue due warranty, I'm sure Mr. Burton will be most accommodating.  I'm really rather sure that i'll be the accuracy issue, not the bbl.

Is swamped proper for your school/style?   ;D

*Charles does some "odd" ones. His published list of cals covers 15. Colerain does 7.  Lot to chew on.
Hold to the Wind

Offline Habu

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Re: barrel for longrifle
« Reply #6 on: November 01, 2013, 10:07:31 AM »
I'd suggest talking with the folks around you, geographically.  It doesn't happen all the time, or with every barrel maker, but at times some makers seem to put off delivery of barrels sold to folks half a continent away, in order to satisfy local demand.  

« Last Edit: November 01, 2013, 10:21:28 AM by Habu »

Offline Gene Carrell

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Re: barrel for longrifle
« Reply #7 on: November 01, 2013, 12:45:36 PM »
While I do not have as much experience with various barrels, I will say that I have only found one barrel that I could not find a combination that would shoot satisfactorily. A friend acquired it used, so the history was unknown. I and many shooter friends seem to find satisfactory loads for every barrel that we have used. Each seems to be an individual and must be treated as such. Many variables to explore, powder, ball, patch and lube. Each barrel is unto itself.
Gene

Offline Dennis Glazener

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Re: barrel for longrifle
« Reply #8 on: November 01, 2013, 05:19:18 PM »
Quote
If you haven't checked out Track Of The Wolf, Chambers and Knob Mountain you would be well advised to do that before you start in buying stuff. Read and study first is generally a good thing/

Troy Roope, Stonewall Creek Outfitters www.stonewallcreekoutfitters.com/ usually has a good in-stock supply of barrels. You may want to check with him.
Dennis
"I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend" - Thomas Jefferson

Offline Acer Saccharum

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Re: barrel for longrifle
« Reply #9 on: November 01, 2013, 05:29:12 PM »
...and keep an eye on the 'For Sale Section' of our very own ALR.  You can also post a 'Wanted to Buy' ad there.

Surprising what deals you find in the classifieds! Link: http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?board=7.0
« Last Edit: November 01, 2013, 05:30:04 PM by Acer Saccharum »
Tom Curran's web site : http://monstermachineshop.net
Ramrod scrapers are all sold out.

Offline deano

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Re: barrel for longrifle
« Reply #10 on: November 03, 2013, 06:58:24 AM »
If you see a deal on a swamped barrel in the "for sale section" on this site you better move fast though...they are a hot commodity here!

galamb

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Re: barrel for longrifle
« Reply #11 on: November 03, 2013, 09:37:12 PM »
This is your first rifle. Do you have a (pattern) in mind?

That will dictate to some extent what type of barrel you want. As a hobby builder I can tell you that you are going to make lot's of mistakes on your first gun and the learning curve is going to be huge.

My first build was with a 7/8" straight barrel and I still ended up with gaps on the barrel channel - I think I may have given up in frustration trying to inlet a swamped barrel.

You didn't say if you are going to get a blank or a pre-shape with the barrel channel/ramrod hole cut or if you are going to try yourself.

Once you have answered all those questions and picked your design etc that may dictate what barrel or brand of barrel you will need to use - some pre-carves are cut for a specific barrel profile from a specific builder.

On my current build I am trying to keep it "true to the original builder" which meant I wanted 7 groove rifling. Now without going totally custom (and waiting many months for a barrel) I have to use a Rice barrel if I want something "off the shelf" (Colerain uses 6 and Green Mountain 8 groves) that satisfies that specification.

If you are simply building a "rifle" and want to do it all yourself, you may want to start with a straight barrel, figure out what to do/not do the next time and then go with a swamped on your second rifle (and if you build one, you will build another - probably have it planned before you finish your first).
« Last Edit: November 03, 2013, 09:46:43 PM by galamb »

Offline WadePatton

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Re: barrel for longrifle
« Reply #12 on: November 04, 2013, 03:54:01 AM »
flash in the pan maybe?
Hold to the Wind