40-inch Swamped?

[Top Jaw]

I have 2 flintlocks I shoot, and I'm not a regular gun builder per se....,so I haven't bought a barrel in a while.  I could research this myself, but thought I would ask those who already know the answer.

Not talking about a custom order, but is anyone out there making a 40 inch swamped barrel?  Think I have a need for one.  Plan B is to cut down a 42" straight barrel to 40", but would rather use a swamped if they exist.  (Before you ask, this particular stock blank would be limited to 40"). 

Brian

[Mike Brooks]

I don't believe a 40" is available "over the counter" . You'd probably have to special order. Instead of cutting down a straight barrel i'd probably cut down a 44" or 42" swamped barrel. You'll retain a bit of the swamp that way and have a nice handling gun.

[PPatch]

I'd bet Jason at Rice Barrels would cut one of his, and crown it, for you for a small fee.

dave

[David Rase]

My new favorite barrel is the Rice Reading barrel.  It is 40 15/16" long, but the real reason I like it is because the flare at the muzzle is very slight compared to most of the standard 38" and 42" barrels.  It holds well and makes for a very balanced rifle.  Now if I could only get Jason to make this profile in a 42 or 44" barrel I would sell all my other barrels I have in stock.
David

[David Rase]

I have cut several 38" barrels down to 36" to make a couple of ladies rifles.  I would not hesitate to cut 2" off of a 42" barrel to get a 40"er.  Especially if my only other option was a straight barrel.
David

[David Rase]

Jason also has a light Hagga barrel that is 40 1/2" long but it appears to be a beast of a profile.
David

[Top Jaw]

More Q's

1.  Would there be better profile candidates for a 2" cut off?  Probably the most flared 42"profile you can get, right? 
2.  What about just a tapered barrel cut back to 40"?  Do they come in 42" and are they less expensive than a swamped?
3.  How much higher will the front site have to be?

I didn't mention, but was thinking of a 45, maybe 50 caliber, in a slimmer A or B profile.

Thanks.

[utseabee]

I would not be afraid to take a little off the Rice Reading profile or their Golden Age York. 

[Mike Brooks]

More Q's

1.  Would there be better profile candidates for a 2" cut off?  Probably the most flared 42"profile you can get, right? 
2.  What about just a tapered barrel cut back to 40"?  Do they come in 42" and are they less expensive than a swamped?
3.  How much higher will the front site have to be?

I didn't mention, but was thinking of a 45, maybe 50 caliber, in a slimmer A or B profile.

Thanks.

Why not go with a swamped 38"? there oodles of those available.

[rich pierce]

Top Jaw, you hit it on the head with the height of the front sight dilemma.  I have a rifle with a tapered octagon to round barrel and it needed a taller front sight because of the difference between where the rear sight is and the muzzle.  I'd study the measurements to try not to get much more than 0.100"  difference.

[Bigmon]

I have a sort of odd-ball barrel I got from Ed Rayle.
It is Oct round, 54 cal and 40 5/8" long.
It is breeched and unused in any way.
If yer interested just contact me or call 724-235-1140.
Hope that might help ya?

[Top Jaw]

Thanks for the input.  Yeah, the 38" option is there.  Was just trying to squeeze a couple more out for aesthetics and balance if possible with a 40".   

Bigmon, your octagon to round would certainly work for length, and thanks for the offer, but was wanting an octagon for what's in my mind on this one.

[Bigmon]

It was just a suggestion.
Actually, I think I'll not use it either at this time.  I am pretty much decided on a swamped barrel for my next batch of parts that I'll try not to ruin.

[Don Stith]

I would have no problem cutting off a42 to get the 40 you want
  Only thing is I would cut it at the breech and rebreech it. That eliminates sight height problems and crowning issues
  Working on a full stock Hawken with the light Hagga shortened to 38 using that approach
Don

[David Price]

I have cut two inches off two thirty eight inch barrels myself, and had Jason at Rice barrel co cut off two for me.  I cut them at the breach end so as not to loose the flair.  Two were for  women and two were for children.  There was no problem with the sights.  The finished rifles weighed seven lbs. 

David Price

[Top Jaw]

Breech cut off.  Makes perfect sense!

[Eric Smith]

My new favorite barrel is the Rice Reading barrel.  It is 40 15/16" long, but the real reason I like it is because the flare at the muzzle is very slight compared to most of the standard 38" and 42" barrels.  It holds well and makes for a very balanced rifle.  Now if I could only get Jason to make this profile in a 42 or 44" barrel I would sell all my other barrels I have in stock.
David

I'd like to see that Reading profile barrel in a 44". I'd buy 2.