Cutting A Barrel

[Walkabout]

I read in the Dixie Gun Works catalog years ago, that if you want to shorten a muzzleloader barrel, it should be cut from the breech end. Why is that? Does this include smoothbores?

 

[ppb]

This was a good 42" bbl at one time.
Taking 6" off the muzzle end changed all that.
(hope this video works...)
Yes, re-breeching the barrel is extra work, but it keeps bore true at the muzzle end.

 

[The Crisco Kid]

Beats me. If you cut it off the the breech it will need to be re threaded and timed for the tang. Much easier to cut the muzzle end. It can be squared off and re crowned with simple tools.

 

[Nobody85]

That’s a tough one. Maybe with a large caliber swamped barrel it might throw the balance off? I have no idea.

 

[Phil Coffins]

If the bore isn’t centered in barrel, as was common, then cutting the breech can hide that condition. If there is run out at the muzzle it will show.

 

[DuncNZ]

If you cut a swamped barrel off at the muzzle the new muzzle may be too thin to re cut the groove for the foresight and to get a decent crown on it .

 

[Rob M.]

Yeah , it is kinda dumb because re breeching is a pain , it must be re crowned if cut at muzzle but it ain't a big deal and its easier than re breeching . ive done both many times with hand tools . If you dont want ant to re crown or are in comfortable with it Just take it to yer local machinist after cutting it to.length , its easy and quick to re crown a barrel.in the lathe . Call and ask em first just to.make sure ....

 

[leadhoarder]

If the bore isn’t centered in barrel, as was common, then cutting the breech can hide that condition. If there is run out at the muzzle it will show.

Is that a concern with modern reproductions? I could see that being an issue with some originals depending on the skill of the barrel maker.