21 March 2017, 08:39
lawndartBarrel Wall thickness on a 404 Jeffery-Now I Understand!!!
I have been looking at different barrels on line today.
A #4 sporter is .650" at muzzle - .423 and/2=.113" wall thickness at muzzle
A#5 sporter is .700" at muzzle -.423 and/2=.138.5"
Is the lighter barrel with .113" sufficient, or do I need to go for the .138.5" wall thickness.
The front sight and the banded sling swivel base will be soldered on. The rear sit may be screwed on, but the barrel will be thicker there.
Thanks.
21 March 2017, 08:54
Austin HunterI always read rule of thumb was .125" minimum thickness at the business end. I have a 9.3x57 that's thinner than that. I think you can get .125" from the #4 barrel, just shorten it down some or have a custom profile turned - that would be your best bet. Also, not all #4 barrels are exactly the same from different manufacturers. Look around.
21 March 2017, 09:30
RyanB.100" is the minimum and people have gotten away with .080" on Nitro Express barrels for years.
22 March 2017, 07:56
lawndartThank you for your great input. That takes a great load off of my mind.
I didn't know you were worried about strength; I thought it was about total weight.
Do not worry about barrel wall thickness at the muzzle; there is practically no pressure there and it can be paper thin. Ok, maybe not paper, Look at double rifles. Just checked a 450 Nitro; muzzles are .083.
Balance is the reason barrels are thin at the muzzle and there is no rule.
You can't rely on the banded front sight for strength though.
22 March 2017, 10:08
FjoldZastava factory barrels for the 458 Win Mag are .660 at the muzzle which leaves a .101" wall thickness
22 March 2017, 11:15
lawndartThank you all. I'm a slow learner, but I write down what I learn.