Hi everyone, has anyone purchased a barrel from Ron Smith (RKS Inc) lately and shot it by chance?  The reason I ask is that I called the company last week a couple times and both time I got the recording saying the phone number was not in service, (maybe I was using an old number). I had heard that his son had taken over the business and I was just wondering if he was still producing barrels? I wanted to talk to discuss having him make a #2 or 3 weight HW barrel in 32-40 and wanted to find out his production lead time and recommended twists, etc. I have a nice Paul Jones 32cal mould in 198gr I wanted to use. regards

Thanks Dave, I appreciate the info as I didn't realize they also farmed. I am down in Iowa, middle of farm country so I fully understand the demand. The target you posted is excellent, I know several club members that also are shooting a 1-14" twist, however I used a twist calculator and it actually showed the correct twist for my bullet should be around 1-13.4. My PJ bullet is a little long, something 1.060 long so I was thinking of going to a 1-12. When I ran the numbers, if my bullet was at 1.000 or under that length a 1-14 is right on the money.  Thanks for your reply, PS that's the phone number I was using, so thanks for the confirmation.  Regards

Dave  that's some outstanding accuracy with that bullet, thanks for the info!

Dave,

Hopefully you see this...

Question about your barrel.

Is that SS or Stainless Steel barrel and if so do you know if it is 416 Stainless
Also, if so how did you finish the barrel, hot blue (?) Parkerized..?(?)

That said I read in some places that Stainless can't be blued and others it says yes..!

If you don't mind please tell me about your cartridge (32 RKS.. ?)
Is that akin to the 32 Miller Short?

TIA

Bob

Schuetzendave wrote on Oct 1^st, 2022 at 10:25pm:

bpjack wrote on Feb 1^st, 2026 at 11:31pm:



Interesting post Jack. It seems a bit oddly placed and a little confusing. You are using a BRC barrel. Do you prefer BRC barrels over RKS barrels?

Dave,

Thanks for that detail..!

I too am fortunate to have one of Ron's barrels,
I have not had it installed or profiled yet and it is not handy so I can't slug it and give you exact numbers although it is stamped RKS / .321 / SS / 21 X 11.5 at 28", I'm told this barrel was made by Ron and not the next generation although I'd have to believe Ron's son is every bit as exacting as his dad.

Before profiling mine is a straight tube at 1.310 (weight about 11 lbs)

Did you profile your barrel  or did Ron Do it? 

Regarding you comment:

"One of Ron's tricks: The barrel diameter is wider at the muzzle (1.00") than at the breech (.900") since tapering a barrel actually results in a minor opening of the bore the more material you take off,"

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A.I. Explanation of why..... Whoodda thunkit.!
"Yes, tapering a rifle barrel's exterior
can change the bore size, although it is not intended to in a properly manufactured or profiled barrel. 

The change in bore size is typically caused by the release of residual stresses left in the steel from the manufacturing process. 
Here is the breakdown of why this happens:

    Bore Enlargement: When metal is removed from the outside of a barrel, it relieves stress on the steel, which can cause the internal diameter (bore) to open up or become slightly larger."


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[quote author=06363D2030212F303B31342330550 link=1664657532/9#9 date=1770035981]My .32 RKS Miller DeHaas has a gain twist 24:1 to 11.5:1 twist RKS barrel that is stainless steel that is .321" between the grooves - not sure which alloy Ron uses. 
The barrel has a continuous precision taper of .0004" from the breech to the muzzle.

One of Ron's tricks: The barrel diameter is wider at the muzzle (1.00") than at the breech (.900") since tapering a barrel actually results in a minor opening of the bore the more material you take off, Doing the reverse to ensures your barrel remains well choked.

It is sanded on the  lathe after profiling and then bead blasted with glass beads.

Most barrels have six grooves.
Mine has eight - easier to breech seat .323 diameter bullets .002 wider than groove-to groove diameter into the bore.

The larger capacity of the .32 RKS case means it is less sensitive to powder level changes compared to the .32 Miller which means you have a wider range of velocities to choose from.

I shoot my .32 RKS at 1,526 fps.

Using the same case in my .25 RKS I have shot 1

Ron profiled the barrel using his cake mixing machine electronic guide system he developed to guide his lathe.

It is a .900" diameter barrel that does not convert to a 1.00" diameter barrel for the last three or four inches at the muzzle to provide the final choke.

His electronic guide provides the taper on the outside of the barrel from .900" to 1.00".

If Ron stamped it .321 then you do not need to measure it.
It will be precisely .321" between the groove-to-grooves.

I forgot to mention the .32 RKS case is 1.470" long and this larger case compared to the .32 Miller is less sensitive to powder load changes and provides a greater spread of velocities that can be used with that case.
We use the .357 Maximum case which also has a greater life expectancy compare to the .357 Magnums used for the original .32 Millers.

You trim the .357 Maximum cases to 1.470" long, anneal them (best to use Imperial Sizing Wax), and then taper them with a .223 Full Length sizing die and then retrim to 1.470" again.

Use .223 RCBS dies since the Lee dies do not compress the web enough.

Pacific Tool Reamer specifications.