Lighter tapered barrels?

[Scota4570]

I have project in mind.  I don't see any taperd barrels that are lighter.  They all seem to be for chunky Hawkins.  Is there any reason not to lop off a swamped barrel? 

[rich pierce]

Front sight height and length are the only considerations. Some swamped barrels have a long waist also which could look a little strange, or maybe not so noticeable. If you can wait, any barrel maker can make you a tapered barrel.

[Ky-Flinter]

I picked up a barrel at the CLA show, 49" straight taper 1" breech to 13/16" muzzle, .50 cal rifled.  I haven't decided yet what I'm going to build around it.  It will take a low rear sight and a tall front one.

-Ron

[Scota4570]

I picked up a barrel at the CLA show, 49" straight taper 1" breech to 13/16" muzzle, .50 cal rifled.  I haven't decided yet what I'm going to build around it.  It will take a low rear sight and a tall front one.

-Ron

Very interesting barrel.  I bet a rifle made with it would "hold" really nice.  I bet that the front and rear sight will come out about equal height to hit POA at 50 yards, if the barrel is straight.  I usually find that  about 0.1" higher rear notch than the front blade to sight in .   

Scot

[T*O*F]

Is there any reason not to lop off a swamped barrel? 

I built a rifle for a customer.  He had a 49" swamped barrel and we cut 9" off the front of it.  It worked out fine and shot well.

[flehto]

Built a Stith S. Hawken w/ a 36" bbl  that tapered from a 1" breech to 7/8" at the muzzle....the customer wanted a .54 elk rifle that could be carried all day w/o tiring him out. This rifle has fulfilled this requirement in being light for a Hawken and the balance is excellent.....Fred

[Ted Martens]

With regard to cutting off barrels, I've been told that the better makers lap/machine a slight 'choke' at the muzzle that should be preserved - meaning any cutting would have to be done from the breech end. 

That being the case, you might want to look at a custom barrel, can't imagine that they're much more expensive when you factor in the labor to cut and square the muzzle of a swamped barrel?

[T*O*F]

That being the case, you might want to look at a custom barrel, can't imagine that they're much more expensive when you factor in the labor to cut and square the muzzle of a swamped barrel?

That's not the case.  It takes less than an hour to complete the operation with a file, a square, a countersink, and some sandpaper.  It's no big deal.

[Dennis Glazener]

Check with Bobby Hoyt. He tappered and cut a 1.060 Diameter
Straight barrel for my VA gun. I suspect he can fix you up pretty quick.
Dennis

[Scota4570]

Cut and crown is fast and easy.  I am equipped to do it in a  lathe.   

I am not aware that any of the production makers that hand lap a choke in their barrels.  I probably would do that myslef, depending on aht the rifle is intended for. 

Scot

[Dennis Glazener]

Yes round barrel tapered on a lathe is easy, I can do that on my lathe but Bobby took a straight round barrel and finished it out as a a straight tapered octagon barrel.
Dennis

Cut and crown is fast and easy.  I am equipped to do it in a  lathe.   

I am not aware that any of the production makers that hand lap a choke in their barrels.  I probably would do that myslef, depending on aht the rifle is intended for. 

Scot