What is the advantage of a swamped barrel? Update: I think I get it now!

[bones92]

I see the topic of swamped barrels often enough, so I figure that I might as well understand why so many prefer them.

I can see the possible weight reduction, but what other reasons are there for a swamped barrel?  Do they perform better than straight barrels?

Also, can one see the swamped contour with the eye, or is it something one must have a micrometer to really notice?

[Ky-Flinter]

They are lighter, and in my opinion they balance better and make for slimmer, better looking long rifle.  Modern swamps are readily apparent to the eye.  Some antique swamps have to be measured to tell.

-Ron

[FALout]

If you look around to who is selling barrels, you will see many different swamped profiles.  Bore sizes dictate a little bit.  Yes there is quite a bit of different feel from barrels of same caliber and length when you compare straight vs swamped.  If you can get to some kind a event where there is old and new rifles, you might get the chance to handle said weapons, you will then see the balance differences.  As for accuracy, for some barrels there isn't much difference.  But, when you buy from some of the top barrel makers such as Rice (just picking a brand), you will like the accuracy.  As a side note, today's straight barrels are pretty good compared to some that were available 20-25 years ago, back then you had better know how to cut and thread for breach plug which didn't come with the barrel.

[Stoner creek]

 Swamp barrels certainly help with the stock architecture in the wrist and butt stock. That flare helps with rounding the wrist.
 Weight distribution can be improved with swamp too. A little less muzzle weight, barrel profiles withstanding.
 They look GOOD too!

[rich pierce]

They are correct for earlier rifles.  Like a tapered barrel they are smaller in diameter at the muzzle than the breech.  But the flare keeps the front sight at about the perfect height.

[M. E. Pering]

The first rifle I ever built, years ago, has a straight barrel, a 19th century development.  It is 50 caliber, and feels like I am swinging a 42" anvil around.  All subsequent guns I have done have been swamped 44", 45 calibers, and they are a dream to point by comparison.  The balance is spot-on, and they feel very natural, like an extension of your arm.  It amazes me still how much difference in feel there is.

But the reason I started using swamped barrels is that they were historically correct.  And yes, when sighting down the barrel, the taper and flare seem quite pronounced.  A swamped barrel has the disadvantage of being quite a bit more work to inlet correctly, but I think it is worth it for the perfect balance you can achieve with it.  However, once the barrel is inletted, it dictates the angle of the side plate and lock mouldings, which I find add to the aesthetic appeal of the guns made with swamped barrels.  I know it is a subtle detail, but it is there in the ancient originals too. 

If you get a chance, go hold a well made rifle with a swamped barrel and compare it to a straight barrel... It is a joy to point and shoot.

Matt

[Clowdis]

Weight and balance. Both are definately much improved over a straight barrel.

[stuart cee dub]

All the above is true .
Do swamped barrels outperform a straight barrel ?

Probably not from the bench ,there are lots of variables ,it's a generalization of course .Over- the- log chunk gun shooters seem to use lots of straight barrels ,heavy too. .They know something discovered through trial and error .Their particular use is specialized.Accuracy is everything.

If you can hold a swamped barrel up better standing (and a lot depends on how you hold standing) then you can shoot it better .

If you  can tolerate the heavier weight maybe by supporting the forearm gripping arm with the upper arm resting on your ribcage in a more formal target shooters stance then you might handle a heavier barrel, swamped or straight, and shoot that better than a lighter gun.

Swamped barrel guns typically turn out a better looking gun , better balanced either to carry or to shoot .Personally I shy away from super light barrels, straight or swamped.
I also think there are only a very few combinations in straight barreled rifles in regards to caliber, width across the flats, and length that will actually make a decent longrifle .
Without careful consideration most end up as clunky guns and unhappy owners .
Most of the swamped barrel makers have done the work already figuring out dimensions for a limited number of profiles with good balance and sufficiently thick walls where needed.
 
The advantage is that you are far more likely to end up making a nice rifle using a swamped barrel rather than a straight barrel and will be happier as a result .


 

[bones92]

Okay, so I purchased a fine .40 caliber flintlock with a Colerain A-weight barrel, and I think I finally get why swamped barrels are so popular. 

WOW, what a light, handy rifle!  Despite a fairly beefy barrel near the breech, the swamped contour really takes the heft out of the rifle.   Even feels lighter than my Cornell Kemper .45 (which felt diminutive in my hands initially).

I cannot wait to try this rifle out.  I was hesitant about the single trigger (i.e., vice a DST), but it has a good feel, and I can tell that I will be able to familiarize myself with it easily enough.

[sz]

yup, weight and the balance point.
Here is one I put together with a 44 inch swamped barrel.  As you can see it's nearly at the balance point  The shutter snapped before I could get it perfect, (about 1/2 farther to the rear) but you get the point.

[Acer Saccharum]

If you're going to carry, or shoot offhand, the swamp is the way to go.

If you're a bench shooter, a much heavier profile is better for accuracy.

But some offhand guys like a muzzle heavy gun and prefer a straight barrel to get the heft out front to keep the gun steady. You have to be in good physical shape to hold well.

[Dennis Glazener]

Now that you have your first one I doubt you will ever want to use a straight barrel again. The first 3 or 4 rifles I built I used straight barrels then used a B profile swamped barrel and I would never think of using a straight barrel again. I built one VA rifle with a straight taper and it was better feeling than a straight barrel but still not as nice handling as the swamped barrels.
Dennis

[Daryl]

Now that you have your first one I doubt you will ever want to use a straight barrel again.
Dennis

Unless, of course, you want an accurate rifle - lol.

Straight, then single taper barrels have the potential to be more accurate than swamped barrels.

You will note all match guns, have straight barrels.  Well, the odd one might be tapered, but not normally.

Do swamped barrels win trail walks - absolutely - just come to Hefley Creek Rendezvous and watch Taylor with a D weight in .50, 11 pounds, & B in .40 10 pounds, also 1 1/8" straight taper to 1" - 36" long on and .62- 12 pounds.

The funny shapes (other than straight) can shoot, but you might want to make them a bit heavier than some like.  for accurate offhand shooting, some front weight is usually necessary.

[Nordnecker]

I pretty much agree with all the above comments. But- I have two .40 cal rifles. One is a 13/16 straight x 42", the other is a wispy little swamped 42". The swamped one is so much better handling. It has everything going for it. The straight one feels dead, muzzle heavy, etc. BUT- the straight, heavy one holds so much more steady. It lays right on the target. It is a tack driver for sure. I can't say that about the swamped one. It is much more comfortable to carry but it floats around on the target. It doesn't group well. And that's all I can say about that.....Jennay.

[Acer Saccharum]

but it floats around on the target.

This is my observation of my own shooting. 

[bob in the woods]

My .40 A weight swamped is a pleasure to carry and it shoots extremely accurately as well. The stock fits me perfectly, so holding steady is easy. I've come to believe that most barrels, swamped included, are capable of shooting better than the person holding them.

[BOB HILL]

[quote author=bobI've come to believe that most barrels, swamped included, are capable of shooting better than the person holding them.                       I know this is true when it comes to my shooting.....Bob

[Turtle]

 Warning! don't get a swamped barrel gun! all your straight barrel guns will feel like clubs then. the only straight barrel gun I now like is my 3/4  .32cal squirrel rifle.
                                            Turtle

[Black Jaque Janaviac]

While most guns can shoot better than most shooters, that does not negate the very real possibility that certain shooters will shoot better with certain guns.

There are also many different circumstances a gun & shooter will find themselves.  The gun you take out of your trunk and shoot 10-rings all day may not be the one you can hit the chest of a deer @ 100 yards after exhausting youself hiking miles up and down hills.

[Scota4570]

Keep in mind what you are reproducing before you decide. For instance, John Armstrong use parallel sided barrels.  I did my "Armstrong" with a 13/16" 45 cal barrel.  It is definately not heavy. His rifles have been describe to me as "dainty".  My next long rifle, southern mountain,  will have a swampled barrel.  It is correct for that rifle to use one. 

[Daryl]

but it floats around on the target.

This is my observation of my own shooting. 

and everyone else' observations as well, Acer! 

[Clark Badgett]

Keep in mind what you are reproducing before you decide. For instance, John Armstrong use parallel sided barrels.  I did my "Armstrong" with a 13/16" 45 cal barrel.  It is definately not heavy. His rifles have been describe to me as "dainty".  My next long rifle, southern mountain,  will have a swampled barrel.  It is correct for that rifle to use one.

A good friend of mine owns a percussion era Southern style, made somewhere around abouts the TN/KY line and its barrel is for a lack of a better term, Lumpy. Mostly parallel sided, definitely not swamped and you can't see it, but you can certainly feel it. Lumpy down the entire length of every exposed flat.