Strong Barrels?

[Ray B]

On reading a few books on double rifles, I understood that some of the barrels do not withstand the forces of the harder FMJ bullets- basically the steel core or solid bronze bullets with insufficient pressure grooves. The chapters were generally referencing the older rifles and those with relatively softer (compared to harder) barrels. the results of firing the hard bullets in the rifle is a barely perceptive image of the rifling on the outer surface of the barrel.

does anyone have specifics as to which barrels are sufficient to shoot all types of bullets without damage. Or if the barrel can be tested for hardness to see if it is sufficient?

 

[rigbymauser]

Well Ray.

The gunsteel that were used in the old days was a softer alloy than today which most gunbuffs knows. Their way to control the purity of the molden mass was also not as good as today. The steel producers back then had the very same knowledge as today about metallugy but didn’ have access to the technology to perform QC.
In some of the older gunbooks I have it is mentioned that a doublerifle maker often went through several sets of barrels before they had two barrels that both could deliver satisfied regulation/ accuracy. I doubt it happens today atHeym, Krieghoff or at H&H. In regards to shooting hard steel jacket or steelcore bullets it is known NOT to use these in older doublerifles as the rifling can not “bite” into the modern steel bullets because the barrels are of softer alloy. I for instance experienced this in a .450nitro from 1905 that blew up in my hands using Hornady ammo. So…it does happen as also mentioned in newer litterature. One of the reasons Woodleigh bullets is here today is for that very fact the make bullets that are of softer alloy, bonded and same profile as the originals, so older doubles still can have a use. Its difficult to say which barrels that are better than others as even the best makers may get barrels that have impurities that in 70 years time turns to a quicker metal fatique than normal.

 

[Ray B]

Seems like the best solution would be to take a few of each type/brand of bullet being considered to a machine shop that has a metal hardness tester. Ratings could be obtained for each type of bullet and each have a score. Then each could be charted with a safe bullet score and one end and a too hard bullet score at the other end. The ones near the safe end could be used while the ones at the hard end could find a new home, or may be a reason to buy a new DR.

 

[thriller]

On reading a few books on double rifles, I understood that some of the barrels do not withstand the forces of the harder FMJ bullets- basically the steel core or solid bronze bullets with insufficient pressure grooves. The chapters were generally referencing the older rifles and those with relatively softer (compared to harder) barrels. the results of firing the hard bullets in the rifle is a barely perceptive image of the rifling on the outer surface of the barrel.

does anyone have specifics as to which barrels are sufficient to shoot all types of bullets without damage. Or if the barrel can be tested for hardness to see if it is sufficient?

@Ray B I want to keep an eye on this thread I just got an older 9.3x74r double that I am about to pick up and all the info I can get will help. What books were you looking at?

 

[Ray B]

@thriller : Shooting the British Double Rifle Graeme Wright & Woodleigh Bullet Loading Manual Geoff MacDonald, Graeme Wright, Hans Bossert are the two books and additionally I've had e-mail discussions with Geoff MacDonald.

 

[thriller]

@thriller : Shooting the British Double Rifle Graeme Wright & Woodleigh Bullet Loading Manual Geoff MacDonald, Graeme Wright, Hans Bossert are the two books and additionally I've had e-mail discussions with Geoff MacDonald.

Thank you