Are stepped barrels the most classic way to go for a .404 ??

My smith has a 3 stepped contoured .404 barrel there that he feels is the most classic way to go but I am not sure if I really like them. Maybe I would be better off with a normal profiled Lothar Walther ??

I thought you wern't going to start this rifle for awhile PC

I went with the Lothar Walther #1450-26" Super Magnum Sporter barrel to go on my Montana Rifle Co. Long Action.
JOHN RICKS is doing the work for me.
Hopefully the rifle will be ready in March or April! I'm gett'n excited!

Bakes,

I have not really started when I started paying off the action most of the work for .404 conversion had already been done, I am just sought of trying to get the plan together for how it will look. There won't be any more work done until after May.

Rusty what I am wanting to know was the stepped barrel contour the look that orginal African .404's carried ?? or did many have normal profiles as well

PC

My 404 Jeffery has a contoured barrel.

Dugaboy,

The barrel contour on this aprticular barrel has three steps in it's profile. The brand is sprinter an Australian barrel making company. My smith uses them exclusively for his big bores and states that allthough they can be rough at times they shoot very well, he has never had one that does not shoot well yet and thus he uses them as he does not see valua in the extra $200-$300 for a brand name barrel. This IMHO reminds me a little of a CZ barrel, they can be a tad rough but boy do they shoot.

As far as I know the barrel came from sprinter with that contour. For me to get a Lothar Walther in the same contour would cost me between $250-$300 more, the cost of my Blackburn trigger and some sight work. I am still not toatlly sold on this abrrel yet but he is adamant it's the right choice, and he knows more than me

The action I am using is a 1909 Argentine he has added a straight English bolt and has re done the bottom end with integral mag box, trigger guard etc. All made by himself and suitable for the .404 round.

I amy keep the charger hump etc. at this stage and am unsure wether I should have a peep, express sights etc, and wether I should ahve a 3 pos safety or elave the flag.

Yes Bakes I am a gunaholic.

Buck up little soldier. Just think of this site as a big counciling session that you don't have to pay for.

Mate, does Sprinter arms have a web address? or do you know a phone number?

Ray,

Could you post some close-up photos of your Holland barrel that you refer to.

Thanks

No I can't post it on here but I will be glad to photograph one I just bought from Woody in 404 caliber that he copied off my barrel...My H&H barrel is presently at Brockmans as he wanted to copy the contour also...

PC,
were I building an expensive rifle like the one your building then I would not skimp on the barrel...I disagree with your smith, the barrel is the most important part of any rifle, and a smooth proper barrel is the only way I would go....thats too much work and cost to shrink over the price of a barrel...I have not seen a LW barrel that would not shoot an inch or less, nor has brockman, Belk, Harvey, or Dowtin and a few others that I have talked to...They are most amazing.

Ray,

I know and I am not totally committed to the sprinter yet, I have until after May, he is off to Africa then and will not do any more work on it until after that. I am in a line

Don't worry I am leaning towards the LW just because I am a sucker for brand names.

Bakes I am unsure of sprinters address but next time I see Bob I will ask him and then e-mail the details to you.

Thanks PC

Ray,

If you please.

A photo of the copy would be fine. What I am really interested in is a few closeups of the 1/4 rib from various angles. Those little H & H ribs are really quite nice.

A lot to ask, I can return the favor sometime.

Ray,

If you'll e-mail me the photo's, I'll post them for you. If you've only hard copies, I can scan them, post, and return them to you as well.

Take Care,

-Steve

If you look real close you will noticed the one standing sight is filed off and it only has two down, that keeps the sight plain unobstructed yet gives me 3 iron sights..The two down leaf sights are sighted at 50 and 100 yards,...The receiver sight is 2" high at 100....when its flush down tight on top of the talley rear base and I can take it off and on...that adds a scope to the sighting arrangment, not likly that I will get caught without a set of sights that work...With such a set up I seldom have need for a scope and seldom use one anyway...but its always nice to have that option handy.

I like 26" barrels in DGRs, because they shoot and hold noticeably better offhand, I can get a lot more velocity or a real decent velocity with very low pressure. that extra two to four inches of barrel has never bothered or hampered me or anyone else and if they claim it does then its in their mind and they need to get over that...unless one hunts out of truck or horseback, then a 16.5" to 24" barrel is fine...but thats just my personal opinnion... Whatever blows your skirt up is fine, its not critical one way or another as long as someone doesn't use those lame a$$ reasons for justifying a short barrel, Im fine with the use of a short barrel if thats what someone just likes. We are all built different and thats a factor to consider, if your 4 ft. tall a short barrel is probably the way to go.

Ray & others I changed my order to a Lothar Blank and I am having Bob contour it with the Jeffery step, I have decided I like the stepped contour after handling one the other day.

Nice pics as well !!

personally i would let walther do the contouring of the barrel then you know what your getting
regards daniel

I would also let LW do the contouring, that way you won't get a warped barrel...Anytime a smith turns a barrel it will either be stress releaved or warped and thats the chance you take according to Shilen, Douglas and some others I have talked to...

Ray,

I want a Lothar Stepped Barrel but I do not see that contour on the website, I have sent an e-mail to my smith saying I want Lothar to do the contouring or choose a contour as closely matching the stepped as possible. If it's a custom order I know I will pay through the nose but I want to do it right. There website seems outdated I do not see the new contours you mention it Ray.

I really like the way this quarter rib was done...


http://www.champlinarms.com/gundetail.cfm?id=959

Wes that setup does look good, thanks for the link.