smoothbore barrel

[Busyhands94]

i have been pondering the idea of making my own blackpowder shotgun, does anybody here know of a place i can get a smoothbore barrel for a good low price? i like the idea of having a smoothbore, i can shoot both shot and patched balls with it, I'm thinking maybe a 20 or 28 gauge would suit me just fine. i plan to carve the stock and make a majority of the parts, with the exception of the lock and barrel. so essentially i would like to make a flintlock fouling gun. any advice on a decent and safe barrel that isn't too expensive?

Levi

 

[ontarget]

maybe consider buying a "trade gun" which is a smoothbore style. They were used as both shotguns and with PRB's. They were (and are) very basic guns with very few fancy or unnecessary frills. I believe most were close to a 20 ga. bore.

 

[arcticap]

There are various muzzle loader barrels, stocks, locks and assorted parts sold on eBay. Look up search terms such as black powder barrels and muzzle loader barrels. Keep checking often because new items are listed daily.
Another place to search is Gunbroker.

 

[shunka]

There are some who believe that hardware store gas pipe or DOM tubing is safe for smoothbore barrels.

I am one who does not think so. I would prefer Seamless tubing, as made for the hydraulic industry, but it is does require some knowledge of strengths, thickness, materials mathematics, etc to safely work out what is needed.

Thus I like to recommend something like this:

L.C. Smith Shotgun Barrel Blanks from Numrich -
a purpose-built, heavy single-shot smokeless shotgun barrel blank, - 26'' Long, .670'' Inside Bore Diameter, about $20.

Since it is unchambered and not choked, it would be a perfect choice for a short Trade Gun, with a strong breech and lots of good solid thick barrel.

Or you can still find some ML barrels on evilbay, but not cheap.

hope this helps
yhs
shunka
good luck

 

[Missionary]

Good morning
Cheap generally does not = safe.
But you can come up with .62 smoothbore Renegade Barrels out there. Then there are old single shot shotgun barrels 32 " that are common. These would easily serve for BP. But whatever route you are still going to have to install a breach plug. You do not want to be cheap with this.
Mike in Peru

 

[BHP FAN]

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_128_511&products_id=7360

 

[Busyhands94]

thank you everybody for the help! i am heavily considering buying a regular smokeless barrel and installing a breech plug and drilling a vent. i think I'll go with a Siler lock. i am starting to think i could drill and tap a hole then install a drum and nipple, i am thinking about percussion as a possibility too. all i really want is something beautiful, safe, and that i made that i can shoot ducks with. now I have heard good things about Siler locks, so that is probably what I'll go with. they have them up for sale and they aren't too expensive. http://www.longrifles-pr.com/silerlocks.shtml