Lay out lines with a swamped barrel

[gsbell26]

This being my first experience with a swamped barrel, I've got a question.  Drawing layout lines on my blank, I realized that, in order to maintain the relationship of the ramrod channel/hole... i.e. the 3/16" web below the barrel.  The barrel is approximately .200" larger at the breech than the muzzle. So, I end up with the forearm tapered instead of straight. What did the old timers do?

[Acer Saccharum]

I follow the barrel's curves. My forends are about 1/8 wider than the barrel when looking down from above, all the way from the grip to nosecap.

From the side view, my ramrod channel is usually 3/16", but no closer than 1/8 at the muzzle. At the breech end, the channel is about 5/32 to 3/16 away from the barrel at the front lockbolt.

I also try to keep the wood lower than the 1/2way mark on the side flat of the barrel. This contributes to a slimmer appearance.

So, yes, my forstock tapers and flares along with the barrel. But not everyone builds like me. 



A bottom view that illustrates the taper and flare of the stock.



Side view of same gun. There is more barrel side flat showing at the breech end(2/3 showing) than at the muzzle (a touch more than half a side flat showing).

[Long John]

I aspire to be as good as Acer so I layout my rifles very much the same way.

When drawing lines on the stock blank I draw the barrel as a straight tapered barrel.  I try to keep the web between the barrel and the ramrod groove to 1/8th inch.  I let in the barrel first and then I let in the ramrod drill with the same car and attention to direction as I do the barrel.  This minimizes the likelihood of the ramrod drill ending up in Spain.

Once I have let in both the barrel and ramrod I then slim the stock down.  Like Acer I focus on a consistent thickness  so the stock tapers and flares with the barrel.  When I make the fore-end cap I continue the flair of the stock.

I hope my comments help.

Best Regards,

J. Cholin

[Ky-Flinter]

I'm confused.  Are you 2 old timers saying the ramrod channel should follow the profile of the bottom flat of a swamped barrel?  In other words in an arc, not straight?

-Ron

[Acer Saccharum]

Can't speak for the 'old timers', but this is what I do:
rr channel is straight, if you have your barrel inlet by machine.  I spec, for example, 3/16 web at muzzle, and 5/32 at breech. The channel and hole run in a straight line between the two locations.

[Ky-Flinter]

Tom, I was just kidding with the "old timers" comment.  The OP had asked "What did the old timers do?"

Thanks for the explanation on the RR channel.

-Ron

[Long John]

Ron,

I re-read both Acer's posts and mine.  I don't see anything in any of them that suggests that the ramrod groove is curved. 

I like to let in barrels and cut ramrod grooves by hand.  Acer has seen the light.  I draw in the barrel as a straight-tapered  barrel and cut the ramrod groove for a consistent web thickness to that line.  Acer has his barrel inletter do that.  In either case the ramrod groove is intended to be a straight shot.

After all that is done we both slim down the exterior of the stock so that the sides have a consistent thickness and thus follow the taper and flare of the swamped barrel.  This will give the gun as a whole a tapered and flared profile when viewed from either the top or bottom.  When viewed from the side the top profile (barrel profile) will be tapered and flared but the bottom profile (bottom edge of the wood on either side of the ramrod groove) will be straight, at least until you get to the fore-end cap.  On some guns the fore end cap might flare a little downward and usually on my guns to either side, especially if it has a groove for the ramrod, but be straight along the top edge.

I apologize if my earlier post wasn't sufficiently clear.

Best Regards,

John Cholin

[sz]

I lay out my guide lines so the rod hole will clear the bottom of the breach by 3/32 and the same clearance at the muzzle.  The web is thicker in the waist of the swamp.
In other words my rod parallels the bore, bot the barrel.

[Acer Saccharum]

Believe me, if I could easily get my RR channel parallel to the outside of the swamp, I WOULD DO IT!

In the world of the long rifle, there are no straight lines. 

[Mike Brooks]

I usually run my rr hole out the bottom of the stock. That's why I have others do it for me.

[little joe]

I usually run my rr hole out the bottom of the stock. That's why I have others do it for me.

Mike I,m a tight guy (thats polite) and I do a lot of my own and they have went everwhere except out the bottom, doing a oct. to round now and the barrel inlet is pretty good and I will be a relief when the Rr hole  is done.

[David Rase]

I usually run my rr hole out the bottom of the stock. 

I will remember that.  The customer is always right. 
David

[oldtravler61]

I'm with littlejoe. I just like to do everything I can,on my rifles. No I don't sell them.,But I don't find the rr hole that difficult. Maybe cause I don't know the correct way. But it works for me. Have built Oct-to round, swamped an straight. All that seems to matter is your drill is sharp. You don't try to drill alot at a time, an you make absolutely sure the drill shaft doesn't wobble.  But I'm no expert

[Mike Brooks]

I usually run my rr hole out the bottom of the stock. 

I will remember that.  The customer is always right. 
David

UH OH......