What is a "swamped" barrel?

[Terry Fairchild]

Have seen many references to a swamped barrel.
Just what is a swamped barrel?
Thanks

 

[Rifleman1776]

There have been many discussions on this subject. A search will find you a lot of information.
In short, a swamped barrel is one that is tapered from the breech to a point several inches back from the muzzle then tapers up to original size. Several reasons for doing this. One is weight reduction. Another is, when done right, it gives a long rifle a look of elegance and beauty that cannot be matched. I have seen references that swamping absorbs harmonic vibration and increases accuracy. But some do not agree with that.

 

[ApprenticeBuilder]

This

 

[Terry Fairchild]

Thanks for the info.
Is this a great website or what?

 

[Maestro]

I pity the fool who says it's not. :wink:

 

[Matt85]

a good swamped barrel is a thing of beauty. it also gives the gun a balance not achievable by a strait barrel.

my Jaeger rifle has a 58 cal swamped barrel made by Rice barrels.

-matt

 

[Eljay]

Also since you're losing a lot of the weight from the front, and muzzleloaders tend to be kind of front heavy the balance is generally improved.

Edit: (Darn it, that's what happens when I get distracted before posting - should have hit reload so I would have seen somebody already said that!)

 

[M. De Land]

I don't know personally but have been told by a very good and experience national shooter friend that you will not find swamped barrels, in general, on the match line or winners circle.
Of course there are always exceptions. MD

 

[Matt85]

I don't know personally but have been told by a very good and experience national shooter friend that you will not find swamped barrels, in general, on the match line or winners circle.
Of course there are always exceptions. MD

a strait barrel will be muzzle heavy. this will make the barrel hang on target a little better. if i was shooting long range for big money i would use a small caliber with a strait barrel. now for hunting... ill take a swamped barrel over a strait barrel any day. my 50 cal longrifle has a strait barrel and it was a real chore to carry around out in the woods.

-matt

 

[Rifleman1776]

I don't know personally but have been told by a very good and experience national shooter friend that you will not find swamped barrels, in general, on the match line or winners circle.
Of course there are always exceptions. MD

I used to live near Friendship and my weekends were spent at the range with the country's top shooters. I also was there during the championship shoots and saw the rifles of the top shooters.
To reply to what your "experienced" friend said, I say 'bull butter'.

 

[M. De Land]

I'll ask him when I see him next month again, if I heard him right, He shoots nearly every year at both Friendship and Phoneix and places high, often winning his events and knows what he's talking about.
If you have been to Friendship shooting long guns over the last decade or so than you will be familiar with the Marsh brothers who are hard to beat any time on the national scene,especially Tim,I think his name is.
They would be good folks to ask about this as well.
Pat says they are usually the guys to beat and the whole family apparently, are good shots. MD

 

[hanshi]

Speaking only for myself, If I had a target rifle built it would have a straight barrel. For me they simply are easier to hit with off hand and my best shooting has been with straight barrels.

Now if I want either a general purpose/everything rifle or a dedicated hunting rifle it will have a swamped barrel. To be correct some rifles have to sport straight barrels, but that's a different context. There is no downside to a swamped barrel.

 

[nchawkeye]

There is a world of difference between a target gun and a hunting rifle...The time period for rifles with swamped barrels was roughly from the early 1700s until the mid 1800s...

These guns were made for hunting and carrying, that's the reason they made swamped barrels...

Once shooting matches became more common they made barrels thicker for target shootings to reduce vibration...

Two difference tools for two different situations...

 

[M. De Land]

I agree completely but felt the difference should be discussed.
Personally I love the looks and feel of swamped barreled guns I have handled. MD