.40 caliber, which contour?

[smoothshooter]

Never having had a .40, I think I am ready to take the plunge. I have long been aware of the almost cult following this caliber has, and realized I had better hurry up and get one before before I get too old to shoot one accurately. I am inclined to get the "A" weight 38 inch swamped barrel. Is there any chance this would be too "whippy" as opposed to the "B" weight? This would be an informal target and hunting rifle, shot mostly offhand.

 

[galamb]

I love my 40 and plan on a second one when I get to it.

There is a number of builders that don't like anything in a A wt, feel it's too whimpy, but in a 36 or a 40 I think there is more than enough "meat" there.

I'm just not fussy about the 38" which is mostly copied from a somewhat "atypical" Haines rifle - that was "short" compared to most of his work.

But to each their own. If you are not totally stuck to the 38" idea you may want to look at Rice's "southern classic" - it's called an A wt but it's really between and A and a B, and the swamp is not super severe like on other patterns which means it can be used on many many styles.

I have a 45 cal that weighs in at 4 lbs 4 oz so the 40 would come in just a hair over 4 1/2 lbs - pretty sweet for a 42" barrel. A little pricey at $265 but Jason just got a new toy and all barrels are now "polished" to a 120 grit - so practically finished when you get it.

What style/rifle do you have in mind or still trying to figure that out.

My 40 is a full-stock, Ohio style, 35" 15/16 to 13/16" tapered barrel - my #1 Bambi killer (legal where I hunt).

 

[nkbj]

In a forty I'd like to go very long and very light.

 

[roundball]

My .40cal Late Lancaster has a straight GM 13/16 x 38" barrel on it...I found it a bit too light for my off-hand shooting and added a brass ramrod to get some more weight out front...more heft, hangs on the target.

 

[hanshi]

The .40 I have is a late Lancaster flint. The barrel is swamped but without measuring it it could be an "A" weight or a "B" weight. There's a fair amount of weight out front even though it's a .38". The balance is great as one might expect with a swamped barrel but it has solid heft and makes a good off hand rifle.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

I have long been aware of the almost cult following this caliber has...

You say that as though it's a bad thing?

But, once you have purchased and fired one, you will become one of us..

one of us..

one of us..

one of us..

one of us..


LD

 

[Rifleman1776]

"more heft"
Can be very important.
Both of my shoulders are in a bad way. I can no longer hold a heavy rifle to shoot. My Jaeger is just too much to hold up. I tried shooting my wifes Seneca half-breed at the range. The barrel is a Douglas .45 cal. but the whole thing is just too light for me to keep on target. Like trying to aim a bamboo fishing rod or feather. You do need some weight to hang out there. Try before committing to anything.

 

[MSW]

I have one of Colerain's A weights ... couldn't be happier with it

I could be rich or thin, but I'm happy with my .40 - it's a good start ...

one guys advice: free and well worth the price...

 

[hanshi]

Mildly surprised when I measured the .40 barrel on my late Lancaster; it met the criteria for an "A" weight barrel. The makers name is no longer visible on the barrel but it is a finely accurate rifle. The weight of the rifle (estimated) is around 7.5 lbs; not a featherweight but neither is it a burden to tote or fire off hand. Still, that .40 hole in the muzzle sure does look tiny.

 

[nkbj]

I have long been aware of the almost cult following this caliber has...

You say that as though it's a bad thing?

But, once you have purchased and fired one, you will become one of us..

one of us..

one of us..

one of us..

one of us..


LD

GAHHH!!! It's the 40 pod people!!!
Mine is percussion so I'm still OK?

 

[BigBoreBLR]

Do you own a lightweight firearm / muzzleloader that you can shoot offhand well.

Good handling is three things. Good fit, good weight, and good balance.

I find if the gun balances right where my non-trigger hand is holding it, I tend to hold it a bit more steadily.

No real scientific wisdom to it really.

I've seen people who developed shoulder problems overnight adjust well by tuning their relative aim of their feet to the target. I notice muzzleloading shooters like the trap stance, a line from left to right big toes at a roughly 45 degree angle. Try shooting with your line of your toes inline with the target and leaning very slightly back, while resting your trigger hand elbow at the side of your chest. Seems to be a popular stance for smallbore shooters. However, I do notice the trap styled stance works better on uneven ground.

Also, learn your natural center of your body. Your standing resting position. If your body's is naturally pointing in a different position than the target, it will gravitate towards it. Best way to get a feel for it is to shoulder the gun with your eyes closed numerous times and see how you line up.

I'd wander though whatever goes bang you can get your hands on, see what works well, then copy it.

Needs some design advice mathematically, I'd be glad to help. weight distribution and such.

 

[don hepler]

Just another thought, I have a rifle of unknown origin, and it is a Douglas 36 cal., 38" inch barrel, but is only 13/16 across the flats. If it was a 40 cal. it would be even sweeter. With the stock shaped a bit thicker at the lock and the muzzle cap flared, I was sure it was a swamped barrel. But, it's straight. However, being smaller and shorter, it balances as good as my swamped, "B" weight 50 cal., with 44" barrel.

I guess I'm pretty much saying the same thing as "Roundball". My rifle is similar but not as pretty.

 

[Vaino]

You're asking a question that really only you can answer...depends on your physique and shooting habits.

For me, a .40 in an "A" weight X 38" lg would be "whippy to say the least...my very accurate and huntable .45 LR has a 7/8" straight bbl and is 42" lg and for me, is just right. Possibly for you it would be all "wrong"...weighs too much and is muzzle heavy.

As was said...."try on" different rifles, not only for weight and balance, etc., but also for fit.

I like longrifles that are long bbled and my minimum length is 44" and am presently building a Bucks County w/ a "B" weight 46" bbl in .50 and the weight and balance are excellent. So far friends who have shouldered this LR "in the white" are amazed how well it holds.

So....it all depends on you....Fred

 

[gard72977]

Who are you buying your 46" barrel from?

You're asking a question that really only you can answer...depends on your physique and shooting habits.

For me, a .40 in an "A" weight X 38" lg would be "whippy to say the least...my very accurate and huntable .45 LR has a 7/8" straight bbl and is 42" lg and for me, is just right. Possibly for you it would be all "wrong"...weighs too much and is muzzle heavy.

As was said...."try on" different rifles, not only for weight and balance, etc., but also for fit.

I like longrifles that are long bbled and my minimum length is 44" and am presently building a Bucks County w/ a "B" weight 46" bbl in .50 and the weight and balance are excellent. So far friends who have shouldered this LR "in the white" are amazed how well it holds.

So....it all depends on you....Fred

 

[galamb]

Jason at Rice does a 46" Golden Age/York profile in B and C weights from 32 to 58 cal. (the extra 4" compared to a 42" GA is in the waist - 13" vice 9")

Just not "cheap", $315 for round groove and $295 for square.

 

[Vaino]

Yes...it's from Rice and is described in the above post. Have used this bbl configuration a few times before and they contribute to a nice light weight and very well balanced LR. To me, LRs should look looooong. Pictured below is a BC w/ the Rice 46" bbl....Fred

 

[gard72977]

Thanks for the info. I need a longer than 44" tapered barrel made for a Tenn rifle im having built. I would like to have some idea of what I need so I don't keep the gun builder tied up on the phone forever. I love the way a loooong flintlock looks.

 

[Vaino]

Hi...you want a tapered bbl longer than 44"? Unless the gunbuilder has something in stock, it'll probably be a long wait. Or did you mean a swamped bbl? Either way....possibly a long wait if the builder doesn't have one? You also didn't mention caliber and external dims.

I really lucked out a couple of weeks ago on my latest 46" bbl from Rice...told Jason what I wanted and 6 days later had his last one. Of course I won't start the next build for a few months.... just started to order the rest of the parts.

Many builders have lengthy "delivery times" and a possible reason is waiting on a bbl....so many builders stockpile bbls and that's the reason for the bbl shortage. If I was dependent on building for my livlihood, I'd do the same.....Fred

 

[gard72977]

I need a tapered barrel. When you ask for a gun to be built that is not very popular it cost more and takes longer.

 

[galamb]

I would get ahold of either The Gun Works/Oregon barrel (they advertise up to 35" but have been told they will do longer) or Charlie Burton (FCI Barrels) - he will do up to 48" in swamped/tapered or straight.

Oregon may be a little quicker (usually about 3 months on a custom cut - straight or tapered only), I think Charlie is running at 6-9 months lead time at present.