southern build ?

[ottawa]

I am getting the things for a southern mountain rifle build right now the question is is a 36cal x42'' and 7/8 strait a good barrel or will it be muzzle heavy ? maybe tapper it ? open for advice
Thanks Ben

[B.Habermehl]

Although what you are thinking about is closer to the originals. She's definitely going to be nose heavy. I'm thinking you will be happier wit ha 13/16 barrel. My own late Cumberland county pa gun is a delight with a 3/4 in barrel by 42 inch, 7 lb total. I don't recommend  the 3/4 inch barrels for new builders, as it really makes it a challenge to properly squeeze every detail into proper relationship while building the gun. BJH

[moleeyes36]

I've got a SMR in .36 caliber that has a 42" straight 13/16 inch barrel and it holds nice at first.  However, being an old goat, it starts to get heavy before the match is over or the day's hunting is done.  Results for younger bucks than me may vary  . And of course a 7/8 inch barrel would be even heavier.  Just my druthers but if I ever build one again, it will have a slim profile Rice swamped barrel on it.  

Mole Eyes

[Dennis Glazener]

I am getting the things for a southern mountain rifle build right now the question is is a 36cal x42'' and 7/8 strait a good barrel or will it be muzzle heavy ? maybe tapper it ? open for advice
Thanks Ben

Ben,
I recommend using a swamped barrel, something like a Rice Southern Classic (gunmaker line is my preference) or Getz light barrel with similiar profile. Charlie Burton or Ed Rayl will make one with the same dimensions at no additional charge. Or even an "A" profile which all the major barrel makers offer. Once you use one of the swamped barrels you will never want to use a straight barrel again. Yes the cost is a little more but well worth the added expense.

I have only used one straight tapered barrel and it was in 40 caliber and started around .950 at the breech and was about .825 at the muzzle and to me it just did not balance right, nowhere near as well as one of the A or B profiles in the same caliber. Your mileage may vary!
Dennis

[B.Habermehl]

I would definitely agree with you Dennis, but since he was talking about straight barrels I slanted my suggestion toward the smaller straight barrel. BJH

[rsells]

I would use a 13/16 across the flats if you are going to use a straight barrel, and an A weight 44 inch if you are going with a swamped.  I have a straight tapered .40 that I am going to use first of next year that I think will be ok.  It is 13/16 at the breech and 3/4 at the muzzle 42 inches in length.  I have never used this combo before, but the customer and I thought it would have a good feel.
                                                   Roger Sells

[Oldbow]

Another vote for a Rice Sothern Classic!!!

I am building a " Gillispie , Bull, Boyd"  style southern rifle on this barrel, that is going to be sweet....

[WKevinD]

I built a nice southern (years ago) using a Getz straight taper .45, holds well. I'm building one now with a .40 Rice squirrel barrel. Hold well but is probably to light for serious target work.
No matter it will be lighter than your 50 cal in your avatar.
Kevin

[WadePatton]

I know nothing of straight bbls, they don't fit my noggin's notions of TN or Southern.  I vote to listen to Dennis, then if not converted, Roger.

[PPatch]

Building a SMR currently, it has a .36 caliber "A" weight 42" swamped Green Mountain barrel which provides good weight and balance. I am soon to order a couple of Rice Southern Classic's for my next two guns. I'm with others who recommend a swamped barrel if you want a less nose heavy rifle.

dave

[ottawa]

I forgot to add that I already had the 7/8 barrel x42'.' so it will be front heavy if I say with this barrel .well maybe time to order a new one before I get back to the states or will a shorter barrel not look right for this build?
thanks Ben

[David R. Pennington]

I have a 48" by 13/16" by .45 barrel I found recently that was made in 1973 and has yet to be drilled for touch hole that is planned for my current build. I just got the lock together and am working on putting the forged wrought buttplate together. Still have to make the rest of the parts. Took some time out to make some fishing lures for Christmas gifts. I thought about cutting it down some but I have a nice curly blank that will accommodate it. The wood looks like it has been sitting around almost as long as the barrel.
I don't know how it will point but is not as heavy as my 42" by 15/16 straight .50.

[flinchrocket]

Ben, I built a sheetz rifle ( late Virginia ) with a 36cal. 7/8 x 42 barrel and it was heavy. I didn't  weight it ,but it had to be close to 10 lb. I was like you and already had the barrel so I went ahead and used it, boy that was the wrong thing to do. I wish now I'd takin a grinder to it and thinned her out some. You wouldn't  want to go much shorter than 40 in on a fullstock, maybe 36 or 37 on a halfstock that's just my opinion. You didn't really say what kind of southern rifle, I think everyone assumed you meant fullstock/ flint. If I were you I'd be ordering an A weight / 42 in for a fullstock and put that one you have up FOR SALE , Good luck and thank you for your service to our country

[Mark Elliott]

My opinion is that the Rice Southern Classic is perfect for your application.

[ottawa]

yes it is a full stock flint. I was thinking on thinning it down to maybe 13/16 then tapper it still haven't figured how to do it make a jig or something and an abrasive wheel in my table saw or just put it off to the side for a half stock build like an Ohio style and cut it back. now to convince the wife I need a different barrel   . I do have a full stock of red maple with curl in a blank .

[kaintuck]

I believe straight barrels will be all the rage again...13/16" 42", 40cal.....
 
Marc n tomtom

[flinchrocket]

What exactly is a rice squirrel barrel. I didn't  see that one on their website. ( don't think I would try anything that involved a table saw!

[mark esterly]

a  rice squirrel barrel is slimmer than an "A" profile.

[moleeyes36]

What exactly is a rice squirrel barrel. I didn't  see that one on their website. ( don't think I would try anything that involved a table saw!

Yes it's too bad that Jason doesn't have them listed on his website yet.  There was a thread here on the ALR forum a few months ago as I recall started by his announcement that they were now being offered.  I tried to locate it using the search function, but had no luck.

Mole Eyes 

[longcruise]

I think you could go with a 13/16 in 40 or 45 and 42" without being too heavy.  Depends on how set you are on the .36.  Thirty six surely more in squirrel rifle territory.

I thought the southern classic was in .50 only???

[Stoner creek]

I went with 13/16 .40 x 42" and a Chambers late ketland. Dandy combo.

[WadePatton]

...I thought the southern classic was in .50 only???

"up to 50" says the site.

makes it more interesting eh?  I had also misinterpreted the information. 

[little joe]

I have a Rice .875 x 42 inch 40 caliber and it is very accurate however too heavy for this old guy.  Next build is a 36 cal. 13/16 x 38 in. We will see.

[Turtle]

   I built a .32 cal. southern rifle for myself on the cheap  with a 3/4 X 42in straight  barrel. It's not heavy and holds well for a straight barrel. I wish you hadn't mentioned that Rice swamped squirrel barrel! Now I'll have to start saving my money.
                                              IHS,Turtle

[Mike Brooks]

Many or "most" original Mountain rifles I've handled are in the 10+ lbs range with 48 + or - barrels. barrel profiles are a "blob" at the breech and an equal "blob" at the muzzle with a more or less straight section in between. depends if you want an historically accurate representation or something that we more "handy"today.