Barrel Question

[Swampman]

Who makes handmade high quality 44" swamped rifle barrels?

 

[Zonie]

That depends on whether you consider Colerain a maker of high quality barrels.
The Colerain American Haritage is a 44 inch swamped barrel in A, B and C weights.
Calibers .36, .40, .45, .50 and .54.

Green Mountain also has similar barrels.

Zonie

Sorry, I just noticed you wanted a "Hand Made" barrel, so I have to change my answer to I don't know of any but that is not too suprising as I don't know anyone who makes a truly hand made barrel.

 

[DrTimboone]

Its not handmade bt my Colerain .54 American Heritage 44" is a pretty nice barrel. I don't know how it could be any better....but I don't know alot about barrels. It loads easily and smoothly, the breech plug came fitting perfectly. It shoots one hole groups at 25 yards and has killed a deer at 160 paces. I recommend it. :hatsoff:

 

[Swampman]

I had a 44" Colerain barrel myself, and it shot like a house a fire. I've heard they aren't as good as they used to be. I was looking for something extra special.

 

[Zonie]

The only thing I've heard first hand is Dick Greensides stopped using Colerain barrels for his Pecatonica River rifle "kits".

He said he was having problems getting new barrels on time to meet his companys commitments to his customers.

 

[Swampman]

Maybe a Rice 44" C profile .54, and a Chamber's Late Ketland lock might work for what I'm going to do.

 

Ed Rayl will make any size ya want, Hia swamped start at $225, Per his new price list, which I got yesterday, But over 48 " will cost ya $10 per inch over 48". His Barrels include a fitted breechplug. Ed's number is 304-364-8269 he is great to do business with.. Bill

 

Rice barrels a real nice and he even polishes the outside of the barrel for you too. What a great guy!
Ed Rayl's barrels are good 'uns too and he will make ANYTHING your heart desires. Both of these guys delivers when he says he will. That means a heck of a lot to me.
Don

 

[MSW]

what Zonie said... and 'handmade is a pretty relative term...

i used a Colrain barrel, and i really liked it, but the breech plugs come installed at the maker, and are very hard to remove.

that notwithstanding, i'll use a Colrain for my next build.

good luck!

MSW

 

[Swampman]

Maybe a Rice 44" C profile .54, and a Chamber's Late Ketland lock might work for what I'm going to do.

That should have said Early Ketland Lock

 

[Mike Brooks]

I don't know of any one who makes a "high quality barrel" besides Getz Barrel Co.

 

[Swampman]

I owned a Getz barreled rifle once. I learned my lesson. I'd use a Getz in a smoothbore because it's not that important who makes a smoothbore barrel.

 

[Mike Brooks]

I wouldn't have one in a rifle, even if it were free.

Dang, well that saves me the postage...... :haha:

 

[Johnny Tremain]

http://muzzleloaderbuilderssupply.com/cgi-bin/mbscart/agora.cgi

Enter "Rice Barrel" into the search.

I use this barrel becuase it has everything I wanted in a barrel and more.

Also I did use a Chambers Late ketland. real fast!

 

[LSU TIGER]

For a truly hand-made barrel, dig out your wallet. From what I gather, and I may be wrong, a hand forged barrel will run you about $10,000. The trick is finding someone who can hammer weld the lap correctly. I know a couple that can.

 

[Nightwind]

Brad Emig of Cabin Creek Muzzleloaders?

 

[Capt. Jas.]

All of the knowledgable gun builders/stockers and shooters I have encountered have never bad mouthed Getz barrels. Especially using one experience to make a broadbrush opinion all over the internet when so many others who actually have credentials sing their praises.

I have a handmade barrel on one of my rifles but the maker is not even making guns anymore.

 

[TANSTAAFL]

From what I have seen, IMHO, Rice does the best breech job in the industry.

 

[Wehrmacht]

Jud Brennan up in Alaska has made hand foraged barrels.Better have "deep pockets" though!

I have one hand foraged barrel in .36cal,but it was foraged in the early 1800's in Hanging Dog,North Carolina :haha:.

 

[Swampman]

I'll probably order a Rice C weight in the next few days.

In a smooth gun it doesn't matter much. In a rifle, you want a good barrel.