Swamp barrel question

[J.M.]

I am looking for a flint rifle to use at line shoots, woodswalks, and limited deer hunting. I've hefted a few other shooters had, and liked a couple of guns with swamped barrels. I've made some calls to see if anyone has anything for sale, so far no luck. I do have a line on a TVM Early Lancaster with a 7/8 straight barrel in 50 cal. Since this will be an internet transaction, I cant see what the gun feels like. My newbie question is how much of a difference is there in feel between a swamped barrel vs 7/8s. I'm torn between getting something soon vs continuing to look for a swamp barrel gun. Anybody have any input? Thanks!

 

[DrTimboone]

I have a straight barreled .50 36" rifle and a swamped .54 44" barrel rifle. The swamped barrel is lighter and much easier to hold on target. Personally I wouldn't buy another straight barreled gun, just for my own comfort.

have you looked on TOTW at the consignment guns they have for sale?

 

[Joel Lehman]

I compare my 54 Isaac Haines with a Getz swamped 38 inch barrel to my 20 guage Winchester Mod 12 pump shotgun. It is a delight to hold and very steady in my old hands.

 

[captgary]

My Dickert has a swamped 42 inch 40 cal Green Mountain barrel, and suprisingly you can hold it up real easy. I think any future ones will be swamped.

dont know why I said any should have been the :rotf:

 

[Tommy Bruce]

Most definatly spend the extra money on a swamped barrel. The difference is like night and day.

 

[tnlonghunter]

Check out Track of the Wolf. They carry a large number of unique guns, many of which have swamped barrels. They also allow an inspection period (you can't shoot it, but you can handle it) without being committed to purchase. There's some really good stuff there.

 

[squirejohn]

For line shooting a straight barreled muzzle-heavy rifle generally holds steadier than if it were swamped.

 

Straight heavy barrels make good bench guns. There are swamped and there are swamped barrels--there are different weights and profiles. The 'standard' Getz or Colerain profiles are "A", "B", "C", etc in increasing weight. For example, a .50 in "B" profile is lighter than a .50 in "C"--and the difference is noticeable at the line. Some reenactors and hunters like the "B" whereas alot of target shooters like the "C" wgts. My"C" Getz 42" .54 barrel is heavy--heavier than my "C" Colerain 44" .50 barrel--I thought it would be lighter (shorter, bigger hole). But it 'hangs' well offhand. I have a 42" straight heavy barreled .50 Green River that is HEAVY and has a lot of weight-forward load. It does 'hang' well offhand, but requires some effort to hold. I don't shoot it anymore.

 

[chipper]

I have a swamped .50 cal in my Jim Chambers rifle that is real light and easy to handle and shoots great, but I grew up in Wyoming. My shooter is a 50 cal hawkins with a brass ramrod. If the wind is kicking up and I'm sure I can get one in the target, I would choose a heavy straight barrel every time.

Regards

 

[J.M.]

Gentlemen, thanks for all the good information, its always helpful to hear what others have experienced. I have been checking Track Of The Wolf, and making calls to dealers. Based on your advice, the consensus seems to be to wait for a swamp barrel gun to turn up. Thats OK by me, half the fun is in the hunt anyway!

 

[Rocky Johnson]

Have you tryed Tip Curtis. (615)654 4445
[email protected] :winking: Rocky