Barrel Band?

Once again I am going to reveal how much I don't know yet about African hunting, but, as my old teacher used to say, the only stupid question is the one you don't ask. A lot of safari rifles, especially in large calibers, either come with barrel bands for the front swivel, or people write that they have upgraded to one. What is the point? Why is a barrel band preferable over a swivel in the forestock? Any advice will be appreciated.

Timbear,
As far as I know the theory is that there is a possibility of the front swivel hitting you on the hand that is holding the fore grip due to recoil. I guess to a degree it depends how you hold the rifle. I have never experienced this and have never bothered fitting one if it is not standard.

Interesting problem.
Must be you little guys being thrown around by big guns that thought this one up.
I just stick with little guns no wonder I never heard of this one either.

http://www.firearmssite.com/barrel_band.htm

Three reasons to install a barrel band.

1) As stated above recoil, keeps the sling swivel off your hand.
2) When carrying the rifle with a sling on your shoulder the end of the barrel is a bit lower, you may miss a branch or two.
3) The most important one, it looks cool and goes well with the Courtney Selous boots, short shorts, and a pith helmet.

Seriously I have the barrel bands on my big guns for the first two reasons and a little for the third.

Mike

Don't tell me you are trying to look the part...
Lets see a picture of your pith helmet.

As usual the men have this topic covered.

Originally Posted by Mike70560

Three reasons to install a barrel band.

1) As stated above recoil, keeps the sling swivel off your hand.
2) When carrying the rifle with a sling on your shoulder the end of the barrel is a bit lower, you may miss a branch or two.
3) The most important one, it looks cool and goes well with the Courtney Selous boots, short shorts, and a pith helmet.

Seriously I have the barrel bands on my big guns for the first two reasons and a little for the third.

LOL, they had a pith helmet at Fazzaks in Bulawayo I was going to buy it and wear it first day in camp. However, common sence prevailed. Not to mention I chickened out. My mate said I would look like a taller version of Dani DeVito on safari.

As stated above,

1) To carry the muzzle lower to clear thick brush.

2) Also clear the brim of a wide hat.

At the turn of the 19th century and for three decades after (when the modern rifle was coming into its own) people had a real fear of the sun. They often wore two hats, designed to be worn together and keep the sun off. Most people had a strip of wadding sewn down the middle of the back of their shirts as it was believed the sun could also affect a person through the spine. Clothes were from ankle to wrist for this reason and not just fashion.

Have a look at some old colonial photographs and you will see what I mean.

The problem I have with muzzle bands is that you can't mount a bipod onto the rifle (and be accurate!)...I used a Harris telescoping model for clients shooting Cats from a blind. It also had other long distance applications! The other thing is that one often sees shooters wrapping the sling around their forearms to 'steady' the rifle when shooting off hand...if the slings attached to a muzzle band, the pressure applied to the sling upsets the barrel resonance which results in inaccurate shooting! Wide brimmed hats whilst cool are not practical for hunting except out in very wide open spaces. Much as I hate them, caps are more practical!

After travelling through bush for twenty plus kilometres, you will appreciate your barrel passing under the bushes without catching even when bending over.

Try carrying it hanging upside down! then nothings in the way!

That is quite an un practical way of carrying a rifle for all but short walks on clear and level ground. Ad some low bush a bank or rocks along with bending under bush and you will fill the muzzle with dirt if not just damage it.

Hmmm OK, I would have thought that when you have to bend over to go under low bush it would be obvious that you'd swing the muzzle under and forward so it was hanging on the sling and protect your rifle from getting banged around. By the same token if you're carrying the rifle muzzle up and going under bushes or hunting in the jesse you stand the chance of having a twig fall down the barrel and jamming in the freebore!
The reality is that when you're encountering obstacles, you should be holding the rifle in your hand!
I am 6'4" so my muzzle is always a problem when the rifles being carried on the sling...barrel band or not!
Just saying!

6'4"! Poor bugger, you need to bend more than I do

A little trick we use here in aus when hunting sambar in winter is to tape over the muzzle with electrical insulation tape. Stops that pesky water getting into the barrel as well as any other junk.

Originally Posted by richteb

A little trick we use here in aus . Stops that pesky water getting into the barrel as well as any other junk.

And NZ

Originally Posted by classicsafari

And NZ

Yep, definitely a must on the West Coast!

LOL, maybe us poor dumb Aussies may be able to teach these guys a thing or two.

The germans make a really neat molded muzzle cover with press stud clip out of plastic with cloth/ felt (sp!?) inside so it doesn't scratch the steel! But as is said above insulation tape or masking tape (for non rainy periods) does just as well!

Electricians tape is also great for those times when a shot must happen "now". Just shoot through the tape and then reposition what is left on the barrel. Can be made 110%water tight also.

And the best thing the tape is available in many colors.....so you can also look the part...lol