Hi Dave , the barrel was bored 5/* of an inch and is not tapered at the breech end and the bit at that you can't see is left round ..Looking at originals here is not much of an option they are about as rare here as martian women .. the bit at the muzzle is bone and yes my bit of wood was just that much short .part of the problem is I put it all together without a drawing I know , not a good way to do things , but working by the cut and ruin method just comes naturally to me I will try and curb my enthusiasm in future ...I am stated on making a half stock rifle the but this time I do have a dimensioned drawing of an Alex Henry .. I have started on the lock ,got the plate cut out the mainspring frizen and cock made .but am stalled for a bit getting my rifling rig sorted .. I am on my own with nobody closer than the Austrlia or the US to lean on and looking at pictures just does not fill the bill thanks for the positives Rob