first build tang/barrel question

[Mike Spaulding]

Hello all,

Well, just started, and already have a couple question :grin:

The barrel channel was pre-carved on my stock, but where the breech meets the stock was carved round for some reason (maybe this is always the way, like I said.. first timer here). So in order to square it I had to move the barrel back into the stock about 1/16" of an inch. so I have a lip of about 1/16" of an inch of stock at the muzzle that i'll cut off, but my concern is, could this cause a problem with powder ignition? I wouldn't think that little bit of difference would matter, but would like to hear it from you guys so I feel more confident..

other thing is the tang on my barrel is a good 3" long. I'm going to cut that down to around 2", but then I think I'll have to probably bend the tang some to conform to the stock. Do I just anneal the tang to red hot and bend as needed or am I missing something there as well?

I did a lot of reading before beginning including a couple books, the tutorial here, and reading your posts guys, but I'm finding there is much more to this once you actually get going. I'm having a blast so far, but a bit nerve racking as well!

Thanks all!

-Mike

 

[Vaino]

First off, the location of the TH {liner} has to be determined, marked on the bbl and if the lock is inletted, the bbl is moved back until the vertical line of the TH is centered w/ the pan. The radius you're referring to is cutter runout and is normal. Vertically the TH is even or slightly above a line drawn on the bbl across the top of the pan and depending on whether a liner is used or not, the horizontal position of the TH is determined from the face of the breech plug. So before proceeding any further, locate the TH {liner}. If addt'l info is wanted on TH location, come back and somebody will oblige. The bbl is setback w/o the tang attached and the tang is bent cold while installed in the bbl after the bbl location is determined. The length of the tang depends on the style of LR you're making. A template of the curve of the wrist is made w/ a line denoting the breech end of the bbl and the tang is bent to the template....Good luck....Fred

 

[Mike Spaulding]

Thank you flehto for the response. I should have mentioned this is a percussion I'm building and yes, the lock has already been inletted. What you say makes sense, so thank you!

-Mike

 

[Mike Spaulding]

Fred, I checked out some other southern mountain rifles and man are you ever right! Some tangs are 6" long on these rifles. I'm thinking cutting it would have been the wrong thing to do, thank you for the info, kept me from making a mistake and is very much appreciated!

-Mike