Switching Barrels/Accuracy?

[J A XSP]

"That's interesting to note...I wonder if keeping the forend with the barrel and trying it on different frames would show any effect."

I haven't tried it, but I'm guessing that it would, due to the change in headspace if for no other reason. I'll bet your .44 Mag bbls (or any other case that headspaces on the rim) would probably not change a great deal.

I'll have an opportunity to check that out...I've had my 25-45 barrel on a Contender frame, set up as a pistol with my wide target forend on it. I'm (finally) getting a new SSK frame and that barrel is destined to live on it. I've got a pic of the last target I shot with it, testing some loads. I'll duplicate those loads, or at least the best of them, and try them with the new frame. I'll know right away whether the POI suffers a big shift or whether the loads that showed the best accuracy with the older frame are also accurate with the new one. :)

[atmtc]

I'm waiting for the results with baited breath. Also wondering how much the locking bolt/locking table interface would have to do with it. When you get right down to it, there's certainly not much holding these little guns together. From an engineering perspective I'm constantly amazed at the accuracy that we get with these things.

I'll have an opportunity to check that out...I've had my 25-45 barrel on a Contender frame, set up as a pistol with my wide target forend on it. I'm (finally) getting a new SSK frame and that barrel is destined to live on it. I've got a pic of the last target I shot with it, testing some loads. I'll duplicate those loads, or at least the best of them, and try them with the new frame. I'll know right away whether the POI suffers a big shift or whether the loads that showed the best accuracy with the older frame are also accurate with the new one. :)

[J A XSP]

I'm waiting for the results with baited breath. Also wondering how much the locking bolt/locking table interface would have to do with it. When you get right down to it, there's certainly not much holding these little guns together. From an engineering perspective I'm constantly amazed at the accuracy that we get with these things.

Headspace and consistent lockup is definitely requisite. I've had instances where I was having to slam the action a little too much to get lockup with a particular barrel and getting lousy accuracy. Same barrel on a frame that allowed for easier lockup and obviously, more consistent full engagement of the lugs and things tightened up very nicely.
It's true that design-wise, they're not particularly robust. :)

[J A XSP]

So here's a data point...I switched my 25-45 barrel on to my new SSK flatside frame and took it to the range with the same loads as I shot last session on the Contender frame. I didn't get all the way through my load ladder but the out come was very evident just with a few groups down range.

The factory rounds are touching at 50 yards and hitting essentially the same point of impact as with the other frame. The first 3 loads all showed sub-MOA (an improvement over the performance last session) and again, essentially the same point of impact that it had with the same barrel, grip and forend on the other frame.

[Bobby Tomek]

Good info! And with those groups, it definitely looks like your barrel is brimming with potential.

[J A XSP]

This thing looks to be downright boring at some point. :) Those are the 100 grain HP plinker rounds I've been working on.

I haven't done any work at 100 yards yet but I expect that the same half-MOA accuracy will hold.
I've got a Leupy 2.5-8X scope on it so probably out to 200 will be pretty doable. When I get a chance to start really fine-tuning I'll have to work out that far just to be able to keep the holes from touching. :D

[BobT]

So here's a data point...I switched my 25-45 barrel on to my new SSK flatside frame and took it to the range with the same loads as I shot last session on the Contender frame. I didn't get all the way through my load ladder but the out come was very evident just with a few groups down range.

The factory rounds are touching at 50 yards and hitting essentially the same point of impact as with the other frame. The first 3 loads all showed sub-MOA (an improvement over the performance last session) and again, essentially the same point of impact that it had with the same barrel, grip and forend on the other frame.

Very nice! I'll be able to test the same scenario soon, I hope. My SSK 50 now wears my .30-30 AI barrel with the same Pachmayr grip and forend that was on the old frame, I just need to remount the scope and I'll be ready to try it out.

[bsekf]

I switch barrels but always back and forth between the same barrel/frame. I carefully measure the barrel to frame distance because that is part of headspace. IMHO if you change the headspace the POI and accuracy will change. Luckily I have 2 Contender and 2 Encore frames the measure .001 with most barrels. One other Contender measures .005 but shoots fine with a dedicated barrel. I do not know if the hinge pin hole in the frame or the barrel lug is drilled wrong.