Do I really need a barrel recoil lug?

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22 November 2010, 19:23

gixxer

Do I really need a barrel recoil lug?

After looking at exactly what I want to do with my rifle when it is eventually finished, I am questioning whether or not I really need one. 535gr Woodleigh @ no more than 2100fps, .510 cal. I am never going to make it to Africa so I do not need 2400fps or a heavier bullet for that matter. Thoughts?

22 November 2010, 19:47

J.D.Steele

IMO a good bedding job with 2 crossbolts, hidden or not, will totally negate the need for any other recoil support.

Now we can argue about just what is meant by 'a good bedding job'(grin).
Regards, Joe

__________________________
You can lead a human to logic but you can't make him think.
NRA Life since 1976. God bless America!

06 December 2010, 16:10

papapaul

Question is: Where will you be, and what will you be doing when you find out that the answer is YES??

06 December 2010, 18:33

JBrown

Both J.D. and papapaul are correct. My question is, why would you not add a barrel mounted lug on a big bore?

Is cost the issue(+-2% of total build cost)? Or are you worried that it will negatively affect accuracy(opening groups up by .1 MOA)?

Keep in mind, rifles lose accuracy when the stock splits and replacing a broken stock is much more expensive than the cost of the barrel-mounted recoil lug that would have prevented the break in the first place.

It's a question of cheap insurance vs. no insurance.

Jason

"You're not hard-core, unless you live hard-core."
_______________________

Hunting in Africa is an adventure. The number of variables involved preclude the possibility of a perfect hunt. Some problems will arise. How you decide to handle them will determine how much you enjoy your hunt.

Just tell yourself, "it's all part of the adventure." Remember, if Robert Ruark had gotten upset every time problems with Harry
Selby's flat bed truck delayed the safari, Horn of the Hunter would have read like an indictment of Selby. But Ruark rolled with the punches, poured some gin, and enjoyed the adventure.

-Jason Brown

06 December 2010, 20:16

J.D.Steele

I agree with the cheap insurance analogy, go ahead with the bbl-mounted recoil lug.

Just be very aware that ONE good crossbolt will give more recoil resistance than a bbl-mounted lug and of course 2 are even better. So, please, spend your first insurance money on crossbolts and THEN do the bbl-mounted lug with what's left over (grin).
Regards, Joe

__________________________
You can lead a human to logic but you can't make him think.
NRA Life since 1976. God bless America!

06 December 2010, 22:53

Toomany Tools

As a matter of course, I always put crossbolts and a second recoil lug on any rifle over .375 H&H. It's a lot cheaper than repairing/replacing a broken stock.

John Farner

If you haven't, please join the NRA!

06 December 2010, 23:44

Von Gruff

So the question then is.... what is the best way to "attatch" a barrel recoil lug. My GS dovetailed one into my 404 because he said that heat fixing left scale in the barrel. Comments please gentlemen.

Von Gruff.

Von Gruff.

http://www.vongruffknives.com/

Gen 12: 1-3

Exodus 20:1-17

Acts 4:10-12

07 December 2010, 02:02

J.D.Steele

Griffin & Howe have always refused to cut any dovetails in any of their barrels, saying that they didn't want to take the chance of affecting accuracy.

I agree that an ignorant or inept smith will have trouble using any heat without the risk of scale. However a good craftsman can affix the lug with either soft solder or low-temp silver-solder and not cause any scale. Not to mention D&T plus epoxy.

Actually a banded rear open sight base (mounted as far forward as possible for sight clarity of course) would make an ideal spot for a second lug.
Regards, Joe

__________________________
You can lead a human to logic but you can't make him think.
NRA Life since 1976. God bless America!

07 December 2010, 07:02

Toomany Tools

I cut a dovetail and then soft solder it in place. I've never had a problem with scaling...at least not in a barrel.

John Farner

If you haven't, please join the NRA!

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This is my rifle, there are many like it but this one is mine. My rifle is my best friend, it is my life.

07 December 2010, 15:40

<Mike McGuire>

In my opinion Wby has the best system for "heat attached" barrel lugs. The lug is on the chamber about 3/4" to 1" from action.