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Hot Topic (More than 10 Replies) Barrel change (Read 1781 times)
Snuffy
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Barrel change
Jun 26th, 2024 at 6:50pm
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Folks
I am thinking about changing the barrel on a 45-120 rifle to a 45-70.  Is this doable and who would be a good gunsmith to accomplish this task?

Tennessee Snuffy
  
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Green_Frog
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Re: Barrel change
Reply #1 - Jun 26th, 2024 at 7:12pm
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Probably do-able.  What action (brand) are you asking about?
  
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calledflyer
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Re: Barrel change
Reply #2 - Jun 26th, 2024 at 10:10pm
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probably doable, like GF says, and it's a damn smart idea as well.
  
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gwahir
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Re: Barrel change
Reply #3 - Jun 26th, 2024 at 10:20pm
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Might it be possible to set the barrel back a bit and re chamber?
  
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Snuffy
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Re: Barrel change
Reply #4 - Jun 27th, 2024 at 7:37am
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This is a Bill Bagwell built custom rifle with a sharps action.  Barrel is 34" full bull Douglas with 1 in 20 twist


Who would you recommend as a gunsmith to do the work?
  
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Deadeye Bly
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Re: Barrel change
Reply #5 - Jun 27th, 2024 at 9:17am
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You generally can't set a Sharps barrel back because the thread diameter is so large and the tulip is short but if it is a true full bull barrel it might be possible. Setting it back 2" will clean up the chamber and get away from the cutout for the lever spring hanger. Find a gunsmith that works on older single shots. A gunsmith for modern guns should not be your choice.
  
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marlinguy
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Re: Barrel change
Reply #6 - Jun 27th, 2024 at 10:48am
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Snuffy wrote on Jun 27th, 2024 at 7:37am:
This is a Bill Bagwell built custom rifle with a sharps action.  Barrel is 34" full bull Douglas with 1 in 20 twist


Who would you recommend as a gunsmith to do the work?


I've sent actions and barrels to Pat Taylor at C. Sharps to be fitted and they do a great job at reasonable rates.
  
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oneatatime
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Re: Barrel change
Reply #7 - Jun 27th, 2024 at 5:19pm
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Is a 20 twist a mite slow for a 45-70?
  
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Jeff_Schultz
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Re: Barrel change
Reply #8 - Jun 27th, 2024 at 6:34pm
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Not at all, it was originally 22.

  
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SchwarzStock
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Re: Barrel change
Reply #9 - Jun 30th, 2024 at 6:35am
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I have seen threaded inserts made to adapt barrels without sufficient diameter to set them back made. The new "Tulip" is part of the insert. Not the "purest" technique but if the gunsmith is a competent machinist it is doable. One I saw used the "Hartford Collar" profile to hide the insert in the gap between the tulip and the octagon flats.

When I went to gunsmithing school they liked to say it was difficult  to cover a wood mistake but impossible with metal. Not quite true but...

Never understood why guys built 45-120's.
  
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jhm
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Re: Barrel change
Reply #10 - Jun 30th, 2024 at 7:15am
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I have a friend with a 45-120 Shiloh long range express with a lot of bells and whistles he waited three and a half years to get. He shot it a while in our local matches and was going to have it re barreled to 45-70 but it was worth more as a 45-120. He talked with Shiloh about doing the work and they talked him out of it and made him a deal on another one in 45-70. Had to wait six months on that one. This was several years ago when the backlog was so long. If it were mine I think I would try and find another one...



JMH
  
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Ranch13
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Re: Barrel change
Reply #11 - Jun 30th, 2024 at 9:27am
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Most any gunsmith worthy of the title should be able to do the barrel change. Mind you we're not talking about a gun parts changer in this instance.
I wonder tho with the loss of Bill a few years ago, and the reputation his rifles had for excellence if maybe leaving the rifle as is, and finding another rifle in 45-70 might not be the prudent move. The cost of rebarreling will run close to 1000$.
  
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Re: Barrel change
Reply #12 - Jun 30th, 2024 at 8:25pm
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Did Bill do gunsmithing work himself, other than minor work?  I always thought he shot rifles built by others.  I know he originally shot Pedersoli's and eventually I think switched to Shiloh when they gave him one.

If the rifle were mine to use, I'd rebarrel it to .45-70 or .45-90, and use a 17 or 18 twist.   

Or, if there's decent value and salability as a 45-120, sell it and buy a more suitable one.
  
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Re: Barrel change
Reply #13 - Jun 30th, 2024 at 9:50pm
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marlinguy wrote on Jun 27th, 2024 at 10:48am:
Snuffy wrote on Jun 27th, 2024 at 7:37am:
This is a Bill Bagwell built custom rifle with a sharps action.  Barrel is 34" full bull Douglas with 1 in 20 twist


Who would you recommend as a gunsmith to do the work?


I've sent actions and barrels to Pat Taylor at C. Sharps to be fitted and they do a great job at reasonable rates.



Pat has worked on several of my rifles.  He does an excellent job.
  
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marlinguy
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Re: Barrel change
Reply #14 - Jul 1st, 2024 at 10:46am
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Unless somebody has brass for longer .45 cartridges I'd never recommend having a gun or barrel made up in anything longer than .45-70 these days. There's so many guys who have purchased or had guns built for longer cartridges in recent years and then had the rifles sit waiting to find brass for them. At least .45-70 is still available, reasonable, and will get the job done if the owner knows how to load for it.
  
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