Half Octagon/Round Barrel

[OldMaineWoodsman]

Does a half octagon/round barrel reduce weight or is just for eye appeal?

 

[deerstalkert]

yes.

 

[Pete G]

Does a half octagon/round barrel reduce weight or is just for eye appeal?

Reduces weight and moves the balance towards the breach, considerably .

 

[Commodore Swab]

The trick isn't that it is just octagon to round but is tapered octagon and tapered round

 

[HighUintas]

I assume this would make for a larger wobble zone if shooting off hand, right?

 

[deerstalkert]

I assume this would make for a larger wobble zone if shooting off hand, right?

not really. i built a fowler that i can hold on target seems like indefinitely.
has a Rice Dolep barrel, swamped octagon to wedding ring to tapered round.

 

[OldMaineWoodsman]

So for hunting from a ground stand, would the full octagon be a better choice?

This will probably be my last build order, and I want it to be a special rifle.

 

[deerstalkert]

don't really think one would be better than the other.
for a special to me build, i would go with a swamped 44 inch or so. 15/16 across the flats for a 50 or 54.
13/16 across the flats for .45 or 50. heavier than that I personally can't handle anymore.

 

[tenngun]

Most smooth barrels are half round, rifles tend to be full octagon
I think half round started as you have to have a flat to put the lock on and give extra weight to the breech, while the front could be light

 

[COTNTOP]

My PA Hunter has a half round barrel and handling it compared to my Hawken is a dream.

 

[rusticbob]

I have two T/C White Mountain Carbines, and as COTNTOP said, they point and handle much better than my full octagon barrels. The only exception is for a swamped barrel, they are a dream come true!

 

[Commodore Swab]

Try an 8 to 16 to round to muzzle rings. Loads of fun. . .

 

[XVIIc Wheelock]

Reduces weight and moves the balance towards the breach, considerably .

Absolutely correct! Makes for a better off hand shooting firearm! Many early wheelocks had this barrel (straight octagon to tapered round) for that reason....and I am sure others as well.

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

Absolutely correct! Makes for a better off hand shooting firearm! Many early wheelocks had this barrel (straight octagon to tapered round) for that reason....and I am sure others as well.

I'm shooting a 15lb gun. If you want a steady hold you want as heavy a gun as you can hold.

 

[XVIIc Wheelock]

I'm shooting a 15lb gun. If you want a steady hold you want as heavy a gun as you can hold.

I do believe Comfortably_Numb is looking for a debate??

 

[IanH]

Just trolling as usual. Ask him how well he can shoot that 15 lb gun toward the end of a 30 target woodswalk and wait for the answer nobody will be able to verify.

 

[IanH]

Try an 8 to 16 to round to muzzle rings. Loads of fun. . .

I did one 8 to 16 to wedding band to tapered round out to the muzzle, not too bad if you have a lathe and milling machine.

 

[Wncman]

Does a half octagon/round barrel reduce weight or is just for eye appeal?

Yes

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

Just trolling as usual. Ask him how well he can shoot that 15 lb gun toward the end of a 30 target woodswalk and wait for the answer nobody will be able to verify.

Schetzen rifle . It takes about 30 shots before I get tired. I don't do any "woods walking" anymore. Generally a heavier gun will hold more steady for off hand shooting than a light one will. Light guns will wobble all over the target. I like a light gun for hunting, say 7lbs for a .54. For a woodswalking gun probably add a couple pounds.
It helps to be young and in shape and practice a lot too.
Target guns and hunting guns are two different guns.