Scored a neat barrel, what to do?

[Osprey]

A buddy picked up a barrel last year at an auction, realized he'd never get to it, and sold it to me last night because I coveted it.     48" Rayl, .36, swamped, thing is a whip switch.  Haven't miked it, but it can't be a 1/2" at the waist.  Heck, I don't think it's a half inch at the muzzle!

It's got a thin lollipop tang, so I know that leads to a southern gun, but may change the tang out and do a thin Bedford or Maryland gun.  Be a year or more before I get to it and need to pick up a stick of wood long enough for it, but would be interested in hearing other ideas...

And I scored it for $50!!!!!!!

[Michael]

Gotta love a deal when they come along!! Congratulations!

[Dphariss]

A buddy picked up a barrel last year at an auction, realized he'd never get to it, and sold it to me last night because I coveted it.     48" Rayl, .36, swamped, thing is a whip switch.  Haven't miked it, but it can't be a 1/2" at the waist.  Heck, I don't think it's a half inch at the muzzle!

It's got a thin lollipop tang, so I know that leads to a southern gun, but may change the tang out and do a thin Bedford or Maryland gun.  Be a year or more before I get to it and need to pick up a stick of wood long enough for it, but would be interested in hearing other ideas...

And I scored it for $50!!!!!!!

Does it not occur that the barrel walls might be a little thin if its 1/2" or less?
Like .06 or maybe less. This poses difficulties for the builder.
Dan

[Osprey]

Oh yeah, it's plenty thin.  I'll definitly be soldering on the lugs, that's for sure!  Just did a quick check with a ruler, looks thinner than it actually is, guessing because of the length.  13/16" at the breech, 5/8" at the waist, 6/8" at the muzzle. 

[keweenaw]

Hardest thing about those thin barrels is to inlet them in the stock without having stresses when they are pinned.  Whole lot harder to do than a standard barrel.

Tom

[cmac]

If it is a 36 cal. that doesn't sound all that thin. 5/8=.625   .625-.36=.265     .265/2=.1325 wall thickness at narrowest
36 cal. you wouldn't shoot much powder with anyway. I would solder the center lug but not the other two.
It's going to make one slender rifle though! $50 DANG

[Dphariss]

If it is a 36 cal. that doesn't sound all that thin. 5/8=.625   .625-.36=.265     .265/2=.1325 wall thickness at narrowest
36 cal. you wouldn't shoot much powder with anyway. I would solder the center lug but not the other two.
It's going to make one slender rifle though! $50 DANG

In the grooves its a 38 or larger. Groove diameter is the measurement that must be used.

Dan

[Dphariss]

Hardest thing about those thin barrels is to inlet them in the stock without having stresses when they are pinned.  Whole lot harder to do than a standard barrel.

Tom

Or bending them during inletting.

Dan

[cmac]

Didn't consider that Dan. Thanks for the correction. That makes quite a difference!

[Don Tripp]

If I had it, I'd make a Bean Rifle.

[gregg454]

I'm maybe way out of line here On what I'm going to say??? At my skill set I would maybe glass bed the underside just to be sure of no stress??? very level bed for the barrel to set on?? Dan made very good point I never thought about..