Finding run out on Getz swamped barrel

[beardedhorse]

Got in trade 30 years ago or so a .60 caliber, 48" swamped Getz rifle barrel, serial number 1770. Came with one piece breech plug, fitted but has run out that is not up and down with plug. The run out is not obvious and I need to find best configuration before fitting a hooked breech. Inlet most of barrel into Freddie Harrison $300.00 + curly maple stock. Can I fit a breech plug and barrel extender that has separate touch hole or drug and nipple to shoot with 4 different octagon configurations from a clamp or gun vise on a bench. Or less complicated, put a laser bore sight in the bore and attach front and rear sights with super magnets to an octagon flat? Sight the dot at one distance and then sight it at a longer, different distance. The flat that the dot is the same windage but lower elevation at longer distance is the right octagon flat to situate the breech plug. Or maybe write, e mail Getz and see what they would charge to find the right octagon to use and maybe install the hooked breech plug. Just turned 70 so this is a bucket list project. Suggestions welcome for best solution.

 

[SDSmlf]

Don Getz passed away 5-6 years ago and his son John took over Getz Barrel. I have not dealt with him, but his reputation has not been the best.

Are there markings on any of the barrel flats? That was usually the flat the barrel maker intended to put down in the stock, especially if there was any runout. Another option is to measure how close the bore is to each of the flats at the breech end. Position the barrel with the flat closest to the bore on the top. That is what I remember being taught.

 

[plmeek]

Can you post a picture of the breech end of the barrel with the breech plug removed showing the amount of run out you are concerned about? It's hard to imagine there being any significant amount of run out on a Getz barrel.

It is more likely that the breeching process didn't get the breech plug concentric with the bore. That's not that big a deal unless you plan on using a tang sight.

You could try the laser bore sight idea if you can find one to fit a .60 caliber bore and play with sights temporarily mounted on different flats like you describe.

I suspect you are over thinking the issue and normal open iron sights would have plenty of adjustment range in regular dovetails to properly align with the axis of the bore.

 

[Col. Batguano]

You can also bend the barrel a little bit if the sights are in a too kittywumpus looking of a position to suit you on the barrel flat. I personally think they look a little goofy if they're more than 10% of top flat width off of center, but they will still work.

 

[hawkeye2]

If you know where the runout is simply refit the breech plug so that the runout is up. It may be as easy as filing a little off the face of the plug and the back of the barrel to get what you want. Unless you have a top quality laser with a perfect fit you may be disappointed, not all are that accurate.