Ramrod channel & swamped barrels

[wmrike]

Here's an easy one for you guys.

Cutting a channel and drilling a hole for the ramrod below a swamped barrel.  What's proper?  Keep it all parallel to the bore, try to keep it an even distance from the bottom of the barrel, or a straight shot from the flare to the breech?

[Dave B]

I always try to keep it close to the bore line ending up with about an eighth of an inch below the breach on a swamped barrel the muzzle end is a bout 3/16 so it really is not parrallel to the bore but it is a straight line not following the swamp. My molding lines are also based on the edge of the ramrod groove being  nice and straight. I also keep my upper fore sock edges at bore center or slightly below it but parrallel to it. 
I guess I sould qualify my statement on the ramrod channel because most all of my stock work for the last 5 -6  rifles in this regard has been done by the skilled hands of Dave Rase and should deffer to his standard for this. I think its close to what I have said but Lets have Dave give the straight scoop on it.

[MKemper]

I always keep my ramrod grooves parallel to the centerline of the.

[Stophel]

I usually lay it out so that there's 1/8" between the rod and barrel at the breech, and the spacing at the front will vary, depending upon the barrel.  Most swamped barrels will usually end up about 3/16".  That usually gets the rod more or less parallel with the bore.  The fore end can taper down some, but not much.  Definitely don't want it flared out at the front.

If it's a round or octagon to round barrel with a small muzzle, it will end up more like 1/4"... maybe more.  If you made it the same distance front and back on a barrel like this, the fore end would end up way too tapered.  

[wmrike]

An eighth of an inch is close.  I've done that.  So, if I nick the underside of the barrel a bit or turn down the middle portion of the front lock bolt so the ramrod can clear, no harm, no foul?

[David Rase]

I usually set up my ramrod chanel and hole based on dimensions taken from the bottom flat at the breech and muzzle.  My standard web is 3/16" at the muzzle and 3/16" at the breech.  A lot of my Allentown  customers like somewhere between 1/8" and 5/32" at the breech and then notch the barrel to clear the forward lock screw.  So to answer your question, a straight shot from a predetermined thickness at the muzzle and the breech is how I do it. 
DMR 

[Stophel]

An eighth of an inch is close.  I've done that.  So, if I nick the underside of the barrel a bit or turn down the middle portion of the front lock bolt so the ramrod can clear, no harm, no foul?

Feel free to file a big notch on the bottom of the barrel for the screw.