Hey Don.....

[Kurt]

Sam, What is a 3.5 contour? Dimensions??

[Nuclearcricket]

Sam, What is a 3.5 contour? Dimensions??

Kurt, the barrel comes with a round shank about 1.240 in diameter, and a little over 1.5" long, to the beginning of the flat.It then tapers from 1.120" to .950 at the muzzle and it 35" long.
It will be put on a Pedrosoli Rolling block receiver and I wanted to go as heavy as I could but not go over the 12.2 pound limit. It is a little lighter than the Shiloh #1 heavy barrel. I think but an not positive that the #1 heavy and a Winchester #4 barrel are pretty close to the same.
The inside is .438X.446, and for being a brand new barrel it is one of the smoothest I have ever pushed a tight patch through. No tight or loose feelings and no round spots.
The exterior finish was not quite what I had hoped but 2 weeks of part time work and it is polished almost up to 400 grit finish.
I did do a little research on a holding fixture to allow the barrel to rock while I draw filed it and ended up making my own. I probably have about $10 or so invested in some oak, screws and some Delrin centers to support the barrel. I am happy with it and it seemed to work well.
Hope this helps you out.
Sam

[Kurt]

I called Green Mtn and asked for a barrel like that with no luck for this .44-75 Ballard project.

That 17 ROT will make a good one for the .44. No matter what chamber design you choose to use. My .44-100 Rem St 2.6 is a fine shooter using that 1/17. I shoot a .507 gr 1.460" long PP elliptical and a 1.460" 478 gr PP prolate and it shoots better than the 40 to 50 calibers I shoot.

[Nuclearcricket]

Sounds like I made a good choice then and also that I got lucky in that they had one on the shelf. They seem to be a good company to do business with. I have seen that they recently have changed ownership and with them being a prime supplier of barrels for several manufacturers they may be working on what the manufacturers want and making barrels for stock may be on the back burner.
It also sounds like Don has given me good advice in that I should purchase a barrel now for a future project if that barrel is available now instead of waiting till I am ready for the project to start. I will probably order the barrel this week as it is on their web site as being available.
Now I did just take a look at the web site and they do list .44 barrels in sharps #1 heavy and Winchester #3 and #5 profiles. I just don't know how accurate their website is as far as inventory goes.
Sam