I've been researching building a double rifle and this is one area I haven't found much info on.

Is the rifle barrel bore parallel to the watertable, or muzzle high by a degree or two?

From a design perspective, it seems to me that since the standing breech is less then 90 from the watertable, the barrel bore should be tipped up slightly (muzzles higher than breech) to help wedge the barrel breech against the watertable and standing breech during firing.


Is this the case?

Jeremy

Here you go, and if still curious, call the author- he is a real gentleman.
http://www.bundukipublishing.com/doublerifle.htm
http://www.ellisbrowncustomshop.com/

English double rifle makers fit the hinge pin, circle, draw and breech face to the barrels contact to do what you are contemplating needs to be done to make a double rifle hold its face. An excellent description with illustrations are shown in Vic Venters book GUN CRAFT chapter titled "Jointing the Circle".

Fitting of the draw to the circle involves much time and effort and it took me some time to learn how to do it. But you sound like you can learn to do it because you have discovered the significant issue about how double rifle jointing is different than double shotgun jointing.

Lately, English double rifle makers have begun to use a replaceable draw insert which makes the whole process easier and also allows for easier rejointing. Vic discusses this as well using the words of famous skilled double gun and double rifle builders to the trade in the UK--including Bob Turner, now retired.

If you want to contact me via PM for a discussion about jointing double rifles that will be OK.

The cost of Vic's book will be recovered in just what you learn in Chapter 2 alone, as it is now selling at a discount from the original 2010 price and some can be found used on ebay.

Regards;
Steve

CR, I have Ellis's book and have talked with him on the phone. He doesn't cover this in the book. He also doesn't cover setting convergence in the mono-block. He sets both up parallel.

Probably fine, but when I draw out the force vectors in the action setting it up parallel imparts a neutral force. Why not add a little down force at the standing breech to force the action closed?

Transvaal, thank you for the PM offer, I will take you up on it. My order of Gun Craft is still on its way. I have seen your discussions on Nitroexpress about the removable draw and found it very interesting. Also, your build of a shoe lump barrel set.

Thanks for the comments.
Jeremy