I have a custom built .50 caliber 'Hawken' style rifle from the late 70's that features a '4-J' barrel. I'm not having much luck on the 'net finding out anything about these barrels. I seem to recall the guy's name was 'Large' and the 4-J's came from him having four daughters all with first names starting with 'J'.

Anybody have a link to more info?

W.M. "Bill" Large, he made muzzleloading rifles and rifle barrels till pretty late in his life. He passed away in 1985(born in 1907,IIRC), and was one of the Charter members of the National Muzzleloading Rifle Association(NMLRA). If you contact the NMLRA(they have a website) they can provide you with more information. I've used a few of his barrels for builds and every one of them has been exceptionally accurate.

Colin

I had a .58 x 1 1/8" straight octagonal Large Barrel on an S.Hawken made by my bro in the early 80's. It was good enough to put 5 into 1 3/4" almost every time I shot it. It preferred 140gr. of the GOX 2F available at that time, or 160gr. of C&H 2F. With less powder, the groups opened. I shot without wiping.

I believe I know where a Bill Large 1" .50 caliber barrel is for sale. Hawken breech, IIRC.

Rich

Bill Large,,, that’s a name I haven’t thought of for a long time. He made a darn good barrel although sometimes his octagon flats weren’t very even.