Has anyone had any experience with these barrels? I have a chance at a 1:16 twist barrel in an 18" lenght to put on my SRH in 454. Will they shoot lead or jackets better? I need some input if anyone has any because I have never used Douglas Barrels.

Thanks,

Rich

When I worked for Jensen's Custom Amunition, Mr. Jensen shot long range compition(rifle). He used Douglas Barrels exclusivly. Our gunsmith made several sniper rifles for LE using them also. I hadn't heard of any problems shooting lead, but I do not know if anyone did. Hope this helps.

which bullet it will handle better is normally more a product of the load and bullet itself than the barrel. The only thing on the barrel that can really effect this is the cone, the angle preffered by most custom shops seems to be the 11 degree which is what I use, the other two options are 5 and 18 with 5 apparently being what Ruger uses in it's factory 357 DA's which is a little different than what I was thinking in the emails we exchanged and the 18 being the most common factory angle. The 11 seems to be the best for using both styles of bullets.

I called Douglas today and they weren't no help at all. The guy I talked to told me a .451" barrel would be a little tight for a 454 because the 454 is a .454" diameter. Go figure. I think I might have talked to the wrong guy.

the 454 is not .454 diameter it is .452 just like the 460 and 45 colt. Bullets for the 454 are .451 to .452 if you want anything larger you have to cast it yourself and size it larger if you can get a sizing die that diameter.

That's what I told him after he was done. I didn't want to interupt. That would be rude. Anyway after I informed him he said it would do fine and told me they make a 1:14 if that one didn't work. I think my cast bullets will be fine sized to .452. Oh ya Rod, George the smith gave me at least 50 rounds of once fired FA 454 brass and the barrel to boot. Pretty good guy for a Greek.

you can't complain about that, I told you what those blanks go for. I think the 1:16 will work good.

I won't quit shooting until I get a 1.5" group at 100.

Before you try to take the barrel off, you should consult Hamilton Bowen. He has an article on his website where he states is is reluctant to work on the 454 and 480 SRH because of evidence of "considerable evidence of thread galling/welding/melting which could just as easily occur in the receiver as the barrel"

Full text of the article from his website can be found at

http://www.bowenclassicarms.com/gunnotes.html#the%20new%20.480%20Ruger

This is an old article, and maybe he has overcome this problem. However, you may want to consult him.

Ok, thanks for the info. I will forward it and have him contact Bowen to see what wee should do.

Thanks,
Rich