Smoothbore question

[webradbury]

Is there a difference in fouler barrels and smooth rifle barrels, or is the difference in the type of firearm you build with them? Could a smoothbore rifle barrel be used for a fowler build and be correct to form?

[Mike Brooks]

Smooth rifle barrels have heavier barrel walls. Fowling barrels are much lighter in weight.

[rich pierce]

Agree but there are few smoothbore barrels that are as nice and light at the muzzle as originals. Be careful buying octagon to round fowler barrels. Do the math, subtracting bore diameter from muzzle diameter. I'd call many of them buck and ball barrels.

[hanshi]

I agree with Rich and Mike.  However, I've seen several originals with very light barrels.  I'd also want the area around the breech to be heavier/oct as most smoothbores are, now.

[Levy]

I think I read on here before the CLA Show that Rice was making a lighter fowler barrel out of 4140 Ordnance steel.  When I got to the Show I checked with them first thing and purchased one.  I remember that it was 20 gauge, oct/rnd and 41" in length.  Sorry I don't remember the weight, but the whole idea of the 4140 was to be able to make it lighter and still be strong enough.  Oh yeah, it was jug choked as it came from Rice the equivalent of a modified choke.  James Levy