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Author Topic: When building a muzzleloader what type of barrel do you use?  (Read 1709 times)

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Offline mamaflinter

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When building a muzzleloader what type of barrel do you use?
« on: March 30, 2003, 05:04:28 AM »
I'm thinking of building another one. This time I'm thinking of using Douglas barrel. Yes I know this company is out of business with regards to mz barrels. I have a friend who has quite a few of them stashed away. These barrels have been air guaged, are swamped and have pre inlet stocks to fit them.

For the longrifle I built in 2000 I used a Colerain "A" weight swamped.

Do you prefer swamped or straight barrels? Why?
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Offline johnt

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When building a muzzleloader what type of b
« Reply #1 on: March 30, 2003, 09:56:52 AM »
I'd like to try a swamped barrel someday,but I'm poor, so I just bought onna them darn GM barrels.Maybe when the kids git growed up an feed themselves I'll try one :lol:
YMHS,johnt
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Offline Robert

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..might try using what Commander Kne uses on the other site
« Reply #2 on: March 30, 2003, 10:03:37 AM »
...a chunk of 3/4 inch plumbing pipe.
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....make it count

Offline Ironwood

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When building a muzzleloader what type of b
« Reply #3 on: March 30, 2003, 10:26:56 AM »
Pardon my ignorance, but what is the difference in a straight barrel and a swamped barrel.  I told you I was new to muzzleloading.   :(
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Offline mamaflinter

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When building a muzzleloader what type of b
« Reply #4 on: March 30, 2003, 12:53:19 PM »
Swamped barrels are thick at the breech, tapering to their narrowest point slightly more than halfway to the muzzle, then flaring out slightly at the muzzle. This gives the barrel an "hourglass appearance". It helps the shooter as it reduces weight without being unsafe. You have your stregnth in the breech where most of the pressure is.

This type of barrel is NOT a good project for a beginner, particularly if they are trying to build one from scratch with a barrel blank. You should build several with straight barrels before attempting a swamped barrel. You will have 3 different tapering dimensions in the barrel channel
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Offline johnt

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When building a muzzleloader what type of b
« Reply #5 on: March 30, 2003, 01:29:52 PM »
Ironwood,
A swamped barrel is the same inside as a straight one. given the twist rate and caliber, and rifling cutting technique.
Yet some or most of the outside octagon has been removed from the center in an even and balanced fashion, thus lending a lighter barrel and changing the fit and feel of a barrel in a given stock/frame.
The added work to "swamp" a barrel doubles if not more, the cost to own one.
Most of the best "off hand" shooters use a swamped barrel,due to it's lightness and superb balance.
That's just a simple explaination,Make sence??
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Offline Ironwood

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When building a muzzleloader what type of b
« Reply #6 on: March 30, 2003, 02:58:06 PM »
mamaflinter, johnt.... Thanks for the info.  Now I know what a swamped barrel is.  Thanks.  Learned something new.  :grin:
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GO GREEN--RECYCLE CONGRESS

Born in the Pineywoods of East Texas a long long time ago.

Offline msmith

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When building a muzzleloader what type of b
« Reply #7 on: April 05, 2003, 09:21:56 PM »
I prefer barrels by Ed Rayl (sp). If you can find them, A Bill Large barrel is one to have.

Ed will custom make barrels to your specs. I even had him make one and breech it on my junky Mowrey. I had him cone the muzzle. This is a GREAT option and only cost another $25.
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Mike

Offline peter nap

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When building a muzzleloader what type of b
« Reply #8 on: April 06, 2003, 02:36:07 PM »
You should give Rice barrels a try. They are supposed to be as good or better than Getz with little or no wait time and they are a world better than GM. The price is right at GM. I'm going to order one next week for the next rifle!
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Offline flintman

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Swamped,my 2 cents worth
« Reply #9 on: April 09, 2003, 05:28:16 AM »
Glad to see you here Mamaflinter.IMHO,I'll pay the difference every time on a swamped barrel gun,they're just so balanced.They're made for hunting in the woods,plus help the lines out of the gun.Jeff Stamper.
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Offline mamaflinter

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When building a muzzleloader what type of b
« Reply #10 on: April 19, 2003, 11:44:22 AM »
Hey Jeff nice to see you here too.........Long time no see. You gonna build anything here in the near future? Have you talked to Don lately? I'm ashamed to say that I haven't talked to him in about a year now. School has kept me busy and I just haven't headed the car in that direction in awhile. Bad me!
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Offline tryit

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When building a muzzleloader what type of b
« Reply #11 on: April 20, 2003, 04:28:45 PM »
Mamaflinter, I have built 4 swamped barrel rifles and 15 straight barreled rifles. The swamped barrels do not have the accuracy that the straight barrels have. I tried to get the swamped barrel to shoot and it just would not hold a candle to the straight barrels. The three I had were a disappointment to the owners and I even had a battle with one that stated that I did not inlet the barrel properly and the lack of accruacy was my fault. I now own the gun and have converted the barrel to a straight one. Luckly a friend wanted the barrel and had it built into a rifle that hangs on the wall. I have have had others state this same thing to me and although they are pretty they do not shoot. Where do you live in Va? I was born and raised there before moving to Alabama.
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Offline MATT/WISC

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When building a muzzleloader what type of b
« Reply #12 on: April 21, 2003, 08:38:28 AM »
Quote from: peter nap
You should give Rice barrels a try.  The price is right at GM.


Hello all!   :D

peter nap,

How does one get more information about Rice barrels; is there a website?   Would anyone else care to share their comments, pro/con, about these barrels?  

Thank you,
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MATT/WISC
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Offline The Shrink

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When building a muzzleloader what type of b
« Reply #13 on: May 24, 2003, 03:42:08 PM »
Esteemed Board

One possible change to the answer to swamped barrels.  Originally, the barrels were made by welding a flat piece of iron around a mandrell.  The flat piece was thinner in the middle and thicker at the ends, no metal was removed to make the barrel swamped.  How they are made today, I've no idea.  

My guess was that they were swamped to make the long barel lighter, but I don't know.  The European guns were typically made with short, straight barrels.  A long barrel of that weight would be very heavy.
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Offline mamaflinter

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When building a muzzleloader what type of b
« Reply #14 on: May 25, 2003, 12:19:13 PM »
Quote from: tryit
Where do you live in Va? I was born and raised there before moving to Alabama.


Well I can say that mine shoots quite well and I'm very satisfied with it. Not only that there have been other gunbuilders who have opted for swamped and were quite happy with their's as well.

I live in Scott County which is located in the extreme southwest corner of the state. We are one county east of the western most county. Where did you live?
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