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Post by jims on Jan 19, 2014 13:59:58 GMT -5
Things perhaps should not happen but occasionally they do. Distractions happen, ramrods get left in and shot downrange, wrong powders used. A whole host of things can occur. We just hope it does not happen. The reason IMO on those listed firearms for the longer barrels, they tend to use slower burning powder to get a long and full burn at the speeds they want so a short barrel does not give them that capability as readily. Even if you are down 250 fps or more from some of those 3000 fps speedburners you can more than adequately kill deer even at long ranges. Perhaps heavier bullets and better BC bullets but it can be done. Some pretty long range shots were made in the war between the States with slow speed bullets with poor BCs compared to today.
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Post by rambler on Jan 19, 2014 14:06:19 GMT -5
what and how much would be a good slow burning powder for a 28" barrel with 1:22 twist rate going sabot less say with a 325 grain bullet in the 260 BC range?
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Post by rambler on Jan 19, 2014 14:15:40 GMT -5
45 caliber in 45/70 Govt that is
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Post by rambler on Jan 19, 2014 14:27:22 GMT -5
true
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Post by rangeball on Jan 19, 2014 22:32:15 GMT -5
In my opinion there is no cause for concern regarding load psi comparing a douglas barrel used by SMI vs an aftermarket pacnor etc. Barring user error they will handle any load the others will. Action type has no impact regarding safety as long as the BP and barrel steel/contour are comparable which I belive SMI is.
Also on a savage/remington a 25" barrel butt pad to muzzle OAL is longer than an h&r with a 28" barrel. You get more useable barrel length in an easier to handle package.
I've no experience with them but slower powders like h322 or 2015 with a booster powder may show a slight advantage but i have no doubt the common saboted or sabotless loads will shoot great from the douglas barrel.
Also, if it were me i'd tell SMI what finished length I wanted and ask them to send me the drop. No use having it cut twice. Tom didnt use much at all of the drop i sent him. An inch is plenty, 1.5" is gobs.
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Post by rambler on Jan 19, 2014 22:50:16 GMT -5
Rangeball. SMI is opposed to sabotless. But that would be the easiest and probably least expsensive.
I am also hearing that their BP liners aren't as good as the savage. Have you heard anything on that?
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Post by rangeball on Jan 20, 2014 1:49:17 GMT -5
Yes they are. In any barrel, not just their own. Thats their choice. I believe if due dilligence is applied we've proven them wrong, to a point.
There's an inherent risk with shooting sml whether saboted or sabotless. Its up to the individual to either accept or avoid this risk. But that doesnt mean SMIs builds are more suceptible to failure than others, its just their chosen pont of view.
They do great work. Tell them what you want and leave it at that. Ask them for a plug that takes savage vents and better yet have it converted with a carbide plug when you get it. I have no experience with their vent.
Unless they refuse to sell you a barrel, its just their opinion. I have shot their product sabotless for 5+ yrs without issue.
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Post by rambler on Jan 20, 2014 7:29:18 GMT -5
rangeball, thanks for the reply. I'm calling them today and getting more info.
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Post by rambler on Jan 20, 2014 23:15:02 GMT -5
Has anyone had a conversion done by SMI and if so how long did it take.
thanks
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Post by sw on Jan 20, 2014 23:48:40 GMT -5
Where in Arkansas? Live and hunt?
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Post by rambler on Jan 21, 2014 7:12:48 GMT -5
I don't belong to a club anymore, got tired of all the shenanigans, in fighting and idiots drinking. If i want freezer meat I just hunt around the local area but in recent years I go up north on public land above the Mulberry river in the Ouachita natl. forest, up the old pig trail. Do alot of 4 wheeling just for the fun of it up there too.
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Post by rangeball on Jan 21, 2014 9:31:14 GMT -5
Has anyone had a conversion done by SMI and if so how long did it take. thanks When I had mine done they said 8-12 weeks. Could have been longer since I wanted a custom twist rate, but got lucky and they were only a week or so away from ordering more barrels. I think it actually took around 6-7 weeks.
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Post by rambler on Jan 21, 2014 12:49:47 GMT -5
cool, thanks for the reply and advice. this forum has helped my learning curve in a huge way and i greatly appreciate it
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Post by Dave W on Jan 21, 2014 17:01:22 GMT -5
Said two months, ended up being 6 months, needless to say I was not too happy.
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Post by rangeball on Jan 21, 2014 17:03:21 GMT -5
Ouch... I bet.
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Post by rambler on Jan 21, 2014 19:03:18 GMT -5
well, 60 days out and he can send my recv'r back, I called Douglas barrels today and asked them what the lead time on a 45 cal blank was and they said no more than 2 or 3 weeks. Direct quote from the guy who worked out in their shop.
So we'll see.
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Post by captbutch on Jan 30, 2014 10:06:36 GMT -5
The barrel that SMI is starting out with will be a 29.5" blank from Douglas. Then they said that it will cut and crowned to about 29" or so. After that I will no doubt have my local gunsmith take another 1.5" to 2" off so I can a FF die made. That will bring it down to 27"...so not too much longer than the 25" barrels that I see a lot of the guys using here with the same 1:22 twist rate. is using a shorter barrel better in some way, less expensive and/or lighter in weight? Just a thought. Why would you have the barrel cut and crowned at 29", then take it to another smith to have the barrel cut down for a FF die. Wouldn't it make sense to have it cut to 27" and ask for the drop the first time instead of doing it twice?
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Post by 10ga on Jan 30, 2014 11:56:06 GMT -5
My firsst Encore conversion was done by SMI before I found slufoot, circa 2009. It is still going good and I have no complaints. I did post a cost analysis concerning the conversion versus a straight out SMI barrel in the "build" forum. Note the date of original post and know that costs have gone up since then but you get the idea. dougsmessageboards.proboards.com/thread/6442/encore-conversion-cost-analysisI like my conversion a lot. I don't shoot it hot as it is my spot-n-stalk, call-n-rattle, sneak and creep rifle due to it being so short, handy, light, and it's accurate. with 200 gr. XTP or SST it is deadly.
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Post by hemicuda on Jun 20, 2014 11:01:15 GMT -5
I have HR action 45cal(.450/.458) with 28" barrel and it is very nose heavy, I like it being smokeless so just put up with it. It shoots sabots okay but harvester 225 black belts are the best(1"groups) but have keep loads down as it blows the lips off the cup. 52 gr of IMR4198. Starting to shoot sabotless as the black belts are very soft. Will blow fist size holes in deer and not go thru. I am working with .458 FTX full formed also 250 Barnes TSX with .125 felt wad 60gr 4198. I love the action of the Barnes (expansion) but cannot get it to my accuracy standards, 3" at 100yd. Hopefully it will come before deer season.
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Post by rambler on Jun 20, 2014 17:01:10 GMT -5
It's been 5 1/2 months since I sent them my receiver to get fitted. I've lost all patience at this point.
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Post by rz on Mar 11, 2022 22:52:52 GMT -5
By some miracle does anyone have the load data they listed on their website?
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Post by hunter on Mar 12, 2022 7:34:20 GMT -5
Hemicuda I love the action of the Barnes (expansion) but cannot get it to my accuracy standards, 3" at 100yd. Hopefully it will come before deer season.
Have you tried to anneal the barnes bullets
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