Here is a case study that provides some indication of wear so that can be expected due to normal use.
The gun in question is a Charles Boswell live pigeon or duck gun. The barrels are steel it has 2 2/4 chambers and is nitro proof for 1 1/4 ozs.I have owned and shot this gun for 30 years approx. During this time I have fired between 20,000-25000 rounds[all lead shot] mostly at trap.When I aquired this gun the proof diameter and muzzle diameter of the barrels was measured with an Egerton-Chubb dial indicator bore gauge,set to precision masters.The dimensions were recorded as is my standard practice. I have just re measured the bore and choke dimensions; here are my observations.
Right Barrel
Proof dia. .732 Muzzle .695- At time of aquisition.
.733 " .696 Present diameter
Wear [.001] [.001]
Left Barrel also shows .001 wear at the proof diameter but.002 wear at the muzzle.This almost certainley due to my predominate use of the left barrel when shooting singles at trap.From these changes in dimension, one can approximate that it would take 200,000-250,0000 rounds of lead shot before the barrels would have worn to an out of proof condition.During the same period of time the wear on the left barrel choke, would have reduced it from full to half choke.
Last edited by Roy Hebbes; 02/19/11 09:50 AM.
