I think the guy I am doing this for is going to ge with black powder and smokeless. I would like some opinions on whose barrel to use. Let me know what you think, please.

Jim

Jim,
any real choices in taper? If you are going to shoot really BP, I would suggest (gag) stainless..

Les Bauska has really good prices

Pacnor will have it too

jeffe

Jim, In my opion one of the best barrels made for the old black powder cartridiges are made by Ron Snover. You can not get them overnight but he has always delivered when he said he would. He also can cut you a barrel with a gain twist or a tapered bore or a combinitaion of both. His contact information is

IXL Enterprises

1245 Delta Valley Rd., Greeneville, TN, 37745

Phone 423-234-0184

Email: rsnover@xtn.net

Jim,
BP .45 barrels are something I actually know about. Whatdaya knos?

As mentioned, Snover barrels are great, and can be had with rather wildly unique rifling like Metford's or more normal stuff. I think he does Pope too.

But the stock in trade is generally consider to be Badger Barrels. You can get one from them direct or from www.buffaloarms.com They generally stock Badgers and others.

Another good barrel is the Krieger, and there is nothing wrong with Lilja, though few seem to use the latter.

Some folks like Green Mountain (cheaper), and Douglas.

And one day, I'll try a Ron Long gaintwist.

Since you do not mention the type of rifle it is hard to say if you can get one preprofiled for your needs. But if you are barreling a Sharps, Highwall, Ballard, Hepburn, Remroller, etc, these are available in standard profiles more often than not.

Personally, I prefer Badgers, because everyone of them is an excellent barrel. Badgers are more or less the standard among .45s.

Twist is another issue you might think about - 18" twist is normal for the singleshots. You may want slower if you are building a lever rifle or are going to shoot little bullets lighter than 450 grn.

Brent