I do buis with a company that makes barrel stave material.
The staves are usually made from qtr. sawn with 90-75deg grain (none of that 90-45deg rule),, they use white oak (the material goes to Spain).
Staves will vary in width 2-5".
They are tapered each end.
Only 1 way to make a tapered barrel -experience.
Reverse engineering is for determining how something is done.
We know how barrels are made.
Only way to make barrels (without hurting yourself) is to have a pro show you.
And I wonder if you cut a new made barrel, will the staves spring back,, vs. an old barrels staves will have relaxed more?
jim