What is the point of an octagon barrel?

The (perceived) advantage of the octagonal barrel for a SASS shooter is that the extra weight out front helps to hold the rifle on target while you are furiously working the lever on the back end. That said, I have seen some experienced shooters using round barrel carbines.

Is an octagon barrel better?

They can be slightly heavier/thicker than a round barrel. Don’t know that there is an actual “advantage” of an octagon over a round barrel other than usually they are slightly heavier/thicker than a round barrel. Octagons are usually installed on firearms to obtain a classic look.

How much is a octagon barrel?

Cost is for up to 26″ finished Length, anything over 26″ finished length is $10.00 per inch.

Is an octagon round?

In geometry, an octagon (from the Greek ὀκτάγωνον oktágōnon, “eight angles”) is an eight-sided polygon or 8-gon. A regular octagon has Schläfli symbol {8} and can also be constructed as a quasiregular truncated square, t{4}, which alternates two types of edges. A truncated octagon, t{8} is a hexadecagon, {16}.

How did they make gun barrels in the 1800s?

The earliest gun barrels were typically cast of molten bronze, this is also how cannons were made up to the mid 18th century. Later barrels were made by wrapping strips of red hot steel around a mandrel, then hammer welding the strips together to form the barrel.

How is an octagon barrel made?

Octagonal rifle barrels were a custom of the German / Moravian gunsmiths who came to Pennsylvania in the 18th century. As Mr. Zeman most correctly stated, they were hand forged from a flat piece of iron using a swage/swedge, a u-shaped anvil.

Why did old guns have octagonal barrels?

In the US the muzzleloaders that were around were typically octagonal because of the need for hunting. Rounded barrels reflect a lot more light and give you away very easily. Octagons are also much easier to make than a circle especially when the material is heavy like iron.

Why did guns have hexagonal barrels?

Because of the extra metal it’s heavier and the extra weight adds to the stability of the firearm. Today you still have the advantage of weight and stiffness but the octagonal barrel is used more for aesthetics.

What’s the difference between an octagon and round barrel?

Today’s octagon barrels start round and are milled into octagons. The old ones were hand forged octagonal. Octagonal barrels are easier to file out than round barrels. In the gunsmith’s shop in Williamsburg,they hammer rough forgings into a rough octagonal shape,bore,ream,and rifle them.

How did they make octagon barrels in the 1800s?

In the early 1800’s, there were no steel mills. Today’s octagon barrels start round and are milled into octagons. The old ones were hand forged octagonal. Octagonal barrels are easier to file out than round barrels. In the gunsmith’s shop in Williamsburg,they hammer rough forgings into a rough octagonal shape,bore,ream,and rifle them.

Where can I get an octagonal barrel made?

In the gunsmith’s shop in Williamsburg,they hammer rough forgings into a rough octagonal shape,bore,ream,and rifle them. Then,the barrels are filed into octagonal shapes. If a half round,half octagonal shape fowler barrel is wanted,they file the whole thing octagonal,then the front half is filed 16 sides,then 32 sided,and finally round.

What is the minimum diameter to Mill an octagon barrel?

For example a .625″ flat width X 1.0824 = .677″ minimum diameter to clean up milling to a .625″ width. Or if you want to know what a specific diameter will clean up to milling it octagon, multiply the round diameter by .9239. We do not have standard dimensions for octagon barrels as we do with round barrels.