Skinny .50 cal barrel blanks

[dubber123]

Does anyone know of a source for .50 cal barrel blanks, with a twist suitable for 50-70/50-90, that are less than the 1.5" 13 pound ones I have been finding?

I am thinking of making a set of liners for a SXS shotgun, and thats alot of extra to have to turn off. Thanks.

[StrawHat]

Dixie Gun Works had, at one time, 15/16" barrels in 50 caliber.

I don't know what twist.

Did you do a search for barrel liners?

[dubber123]

Dixie Gun Works had, at one time, 15/16" barrels in 50 caliber.

I don't know what twist.

Did you do a search for barrel liners?

Hmm, no on the barrel liners, I just looked for blanks. Thanks for the idea, I'll look.

[lar45]

I ordered some barrels from Pac-Nor a few years back and just asked for them to be the diameter I wanted. I think that MRC can do the same thing if you ask.

[dubber123]

I have a lead on some blanks thanks to 45Nut. I'm sure they aren't Pac-Nor quality, but they are a bunch cheaper, and besides, I stand a good chance of screwing one up!

[John Taylor]

T.J.'s make a 50 cal liner with a 1 in 20 twist ( .500X .510" ) Sold by the inch. the OD is 13/16". These are hammer forged out of 4130 steel with a hardness around R 28 C. I have used them in SXS a few times. you will need to make a bushing for the chamber and muzzle end, maybe one in the middle also. # 859-635-5560

[dubber123]

T.J.'s make a 50 cal liner with a 1 in 20 twist ( .500X .510" ) Sold by the inch. the OD is 13/16". These are hammer forged out of 4130 steel with a hardness around R 28 C. I have used them in SXS a few times. you will need to make a bushing for the chamber and muzzle end, maybe one in the middle also. # 859-635-5560



Thanks, I have a couple blanks on the way, but these liners you mention sound like a great idea. There is some speculation on the actual bore size of these blanks I have coming, so I may need a "plan B".[smilie=1:

[Bullshop]

A fella brought in a sleaved double hammer 50/90 to try to entice me. I shot it with a 700gn boolit and they tumbled at 30ft. Tried some about 500gn and still wobbled. About 340gn worked better but not great.
I slugged the grooves at .514" and the twist at 1/60" or so, bummer!!! With them numbers I was not remotely interested. Its a shame cuz it was such a perty thang. Why would somebody go through all that trouble and use a barrel made for round ball? Go figure!
BIC/BS

[StrawHat]

Why would somebody go through all that trouble and use a barrel made for round ball? Go figure!
BIC/BS

Bullshop,

Remember, finding a 50 caliber barrel wasn't always easy.

The guy probably did not know the difference between a muzzleloading barrel and one for a cartridge gun.

[John Taylor]

Bullshop, The original twist for the 50 express ( 50-110) was 1 in 60". It uses a 350 grain bullet. Winchester must have figured it didn't work to good because they changed it to 1 in 56" and then to 1 in 48". The 50-100-450 was the same brass with a heavier bullet and started with a twist of 1 in 48" and went to 1 in 36" as near as I can tell. A long way from the 50 BMG with it's 1 in 15" twist. I have been using Douglas barrels with a twist of 1 in 34" for the 50-110 on Winchester 86s but I would recommend a twist of 1 in 24-28" for for a 450 grain bullet and 1 in 20-24" for a 500. Lower velocity would require a faster twist.

[floodgate]

John:

The old catalogs also list a .50-105-450 load, and collectors occasionally turn up an example with that headstamp; you are no doubt right that the rifling pitch was speeded up for these more practical loadings.

Fg

[Bullshop]

I have a 1886 win 50/110 with I think a 1/24" twist and I have shot 700gn boolits point on at 100 yards.
I also have an Ideal mold that came from an estate that was mated with an 1886 50/110 express. I didnt get the rifle but I got the mold. In pure lead it drops at 300gn and aint much longer than a round ball in the same diameter. I have thought about stacking two in a case but have not tried it yet. I just dont see any sense in the express. I guess for deer its OK but why use such a big gun for deer. With its full length mag tube and 26" barrel my 86 is a perty big gun
BIC/BS

[floodgate]

I got the feeling that the "express" line was a Winchester sales gimmick of the 1880's: the .40-82, .45-90 and .50-110 with their light bullets to get the highest possible BP velocity numbers, but requiring slow twists to avoid over-stabilization as they understood it.

I think we've heard that same song a few times since then, haven't we?

Fg

[blysmelter]

Several guys here in Norway have used "liberated" 50BMG-barrels for such projects. Nowerdays the army keeps better track of things so good ones is rare:-(

[StrawHat]

I have a 1886 win 50/110 with I think a 1/24" twist and I have shot 700gn boolits point on at 100 yards.
I also have an Ideal mold that came from an estate that was mated with an 1886 50/110 express. I didnt get the rifle but I got the mold. In pure lead it drops at 300gn and aint much longer than a round ball in the same diameter. I have thought about stacking two in a case but have not tried it yet. I just dont see any sense in the express. I guess for deer its OK but why use such a big gun for deer. With its full length mag tube and 26" barrel my 86 is a perty big gun
BIC/BS


I believe the idea of the Winchester Express loads was to compete with the British Express cartridges.

The whole concept was to get a bullet moving fast enough that holdover was eliminated for practical hunting ranges.

I believe the 450 and 500 Express loads were considered point blank to about 150 yards. I have seen an article and will try to locate it. Handloader, maybe. Ross Seyfried probably the author.

Over here the concept was misused because the lightweight bullets were confused with the heavy penetrators and some pretty nasty situations happened.