ML Barrels

[smokepolehall]

You should probably contact a modern barrel maker who uses "real barrel steel" Prepare to pick yourself up off the floor when the quote you a price. $600-$800 is average for a 32" barrel from those folks.

You are correct if you are ordering a one off bbl. I would say that Custom Building ML's is for the rich not for the poorer. I am in a learning curve coming from modern rifles that have quality bbl's on them, n sell to the lower wealth class for a modest price already built. I still have to call Rice n Colerain to see what steel they use prior to myself ordering a kit or parts to build what i am to play with this year.

 

[64Springer]

You are correct if you are ordering a one off bbl. I would say that Custom Building ML's is for the rich not for the poorer. I am in a learning curve coming from modern rifles that have quality bbl's on them, n sell to the lower wealth class for a modest price already built. I still have to call Rice n Colerain to see what steel they use prior to myself ordering a kit or parts to build what i am to play with this year.

You're overthinking the barrel material.

Muzzle loader pressures are not cartridge pressures. Not even close.

I would venture to say that we could make muzzleloaders out of the trashy steel pipe sold at the big box stores. We don't because there are better alternatives. Not lately though. Cuzz: Item Sold Out.

No barrel maker anywhere, except maybe Afghanistan and Pietta, is going to use steel that will blow up and kill you. Just spit balling here, but I think that would be really bad for business.

Just one man's opinion. Buy a barrel you want. Regardless of material. Your rifle will work just fine.

Be well.

 

[smokepolehall]

You're overthinking the barrel material.

Muzzle loader pressures are not cartridge pressures. Not even close.

I would venture to say that we could make muzzleloaders out of the trashy steel pipe sold at the big box stores. We don't because there are better alternatives. Not lately though. Cuzz: Item Sold Out.

No barrel maker anywhere, except maybe Afghanistan and Pietta, is going to use steel that will blow up and kill you. Just spit balling here, but I think that would be really bad for business.

Just one man's opinion. Buy a barrel you want. Regardless of material. Your rifle will work just fine.

Be well.

You sir are most likely correct about all of this, Thanks

 

[tgfrench]

Every business is designed to make $$$$$ and lots of $$$$$$$. The money making future of muzzleloading is in in-lines. Companies and market forces are/have killed of primitive entry-level muzzleloaders. TC and Lymans recent moves are clear examples.
Barrel shops follow trends. The current shops provide barrels for the custom Rifle makers and their associated kit offerings.
A one off barrel is going to cost big money unless you can provide a clear desire for a new line of rifle.

 

[longcruise]

As long as there are barrel makers using the same steel, there costs are not going to drive exorbitant profits. Regardless of how unreasonable the costs of any of the components we use there's enough competition to assure that prices are neither too high or tooow. Either will put them out of business.

 

[stikshooter]

Appears there has to be a big shortage on barrels for sale. Have been looking for a .40 cal 36" max in length, twist rate at 1:32. Any known maker one can be ordered from ?

Sure Bob Hoyt can/will do that but you will wait like most in the trade they are busy , get on the list /Ed

 

[stikshooter]

This may seem odd to others but i don't like the look of a swamped bbl on an underhammer rifle.

Looks is not why swamped barrels are in demand, and small bores are super heavy in comparison!/Ed

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

You are correct if you are ordering a one off bbl. I would say that Custom Building ML's is for the rich not for the poorer. I am in a learning curve coming from modern rifles that have quality bbl's on them, n sell to the lower wealth class for a modest price already built. I still have to call Rice n Colerain to see what steel they use prior to myself ordering a kit or parts to build what i am to play with this year.

Yep, that's me, one rich SOB.

Rice and Colerain both use 12L14. Ed Rayle uses some hard stuff you might like. It's so hard I can barely draw file it. He's got a 1 year + wait time. In fact, they all have a one year + wait time if you want a custom profile. It's always been that way for the past 40 years I have been doing this.

 

[GBG]

I know your trying to help, n some some know but FCI n Oregon bbl's using the round bar stock to make them. 1137 steel is next up barely. Better steel is 4140 n 4150, its quality n most modern Gun bbl's are made from it. Those bar stock steel is used for some makers as it is cheap n so east on the cutting tools n such.

In an email exchange I had with Suzi Williams last June 12, she said Oregon Barrel Co. could make any of their barrels from 4140 steel for and additional $150.

When I asked about more details on the 4140 steel used, she did not have that information. It's very unlikely to be "gun barrel quality" steel as it requires special manufacturing and testing, plus minimum orders that are measured in tons.

Since I have personally never heard of a failure with a 12L14 Oregon barrel, I would be totally confident using any 4140 steel barrel they made (with reasonable blackpowder loads). FWIW that opinion is based on my work experience in manufacturing and steel selection.

 

[Bullit]

Someday I'll own one of those custom MLs in flint, but my last lottery ticket was only a $3 winner. I called to place an order but they said $3 was not enough for a down payment. Poopy