I think the only thing you need to worry about is what barrel weight you want. Your proposed barrel maker will be able to answer your other questions better then any of us. Tell him what bullet weight you propose using. I assume somewhere around 215 grains-since you seem to be going for the max. Unless you are very good indeed this barrel will offer more accuracy then is needed for an offhand rifle. As far as barrel weight is concerned I think Harry Pope's advice is still good. He recommended what amounted to a #4 barrel. 30 inches woudl be plenty long and some prefer 28. I am not aware of Harry ever using a through bolt on his Stevens and I don't think its critical-again we are talking about an offhand rifle. I sure would not recommend a stainless barrel. They have never shown any advantage and they are definately not very traditional on a single shot rifle.

1/4 bore gave you good advice, Take the barrel makers recommendation on twist. Here is my opinion on your other choices,  take it for what it is worth, free advice.

If you have had good luck with gain twist stay with it. Douglas barrels don't lead and any good barrel should not either. Stainless is a personal choice, Not the way I would set up a nice traditonal action single shot. Miller or other striker action perhaps they are modern anyway. If I was setting up totatly modern would consider all stainless action and barrel. 

On size. # 4 is what I shoot on my CPA's 3 of them .22 32 & 38.  all 28 inches. It's about the standard offhand barrel for a Schuetzen.  #3's are good too if the overall weight with a # 4 is too much.  Mine weigh over 14 lbs with the scope and palm rest. That's good for steady hold but if it fatigues you that's bad for a long match like the Hudson.  #2 is too light and # 5 too heavy for most people offhand shooting 

There is a point for a short heavy barrel but it's not traditional.  If bench rest there is no subsitue for weight and mass. #3 would be way under weight.  I had a # 5 32/40 Douglas on one of my CPA's but never shot it  much. Sold it to a member and he has had very good results. I expect it's a good barrel but results are mostly due to the weight and the way it handles on sandbags.

Lots of opinion on through bolts. I say it's a cure for a problem, if no problem you don't need a cure.  If you were buyng a high dollar double shotgun a through bolt would be considered 2nd class workmanship, compared to a properly fitted buttstock with tangs.  Lots of single shot guys believe in through bolts. If you do they are not hard to fit.   

Not sure if you intend to shoot offhand or bench. Have the Pope offhand stock on one of my rifles. It's great offhand & all but impossable to shoot bench rest.  Cheek piece makes it twist on recoil small forearm won't hold it straight and the buttplate is a problem too. Perfect offhand

Boats

Jimofatl wrote on Jun 22^nd, 2009 at 6:44pm:


Jim. 
My Dad purchased a CPA a few years ago with the Pope stock. I couldnt shoot it at all. The comb was way too high for me. And if I remember right dad had to clean it from the muzzle because the comb was in the way. I remember telling Dad that I thought the stock was meant for a false muzzled rifle where its always cleaned from the muzzle. Of course you can always cut the comb down to fit.

                                                     Joe.  

Thanks for the replies so far. 

To clarify further, I plan on using a PJ 240 Gr. bullet and was leaning towards a 1:12 twist (?). The chamber is being designed to place the bullet mostly into the lands.(ala breech seating w/ fixed ammo). I want all the case I can get for Black Powder. The reason for fixed ammo is to be able to shoot rapidly if conditions warrant it. 

Since I am a newbie to Scheutzen, I wanted some flexibility, so I asked about a butt stock (Pope) I could use for offhand and the one I presently have for the Bench. I wondered about the through bolt because of changing back and forth. If not a Pope, what would you recommend for an off hand stock?

I know most of you use smokeless, but I am a died in the wool BP shooter. BTW, another friend of mine got a RKS SS barrel in 45-70 and has won a recent Regional and a Friendship silhouette matches. He had the SS barrel powder coated and it looks like it had a first class bluing job. I will do the same. Thanks again..............................Jim