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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 32
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 32 |
Hi All -
Last year I purchased a beautiful vintage Prussian 16 bore SxS from a reputable gun dealer. I noticed a small amount of pitting and had their gunsmith polish the barrels. I was told the right barrel had slightly deeper pits so more metal was lost but wall thickness remained within limits and the gun was safe to use with my favorite low pressure RST 2 1/2 shells. Recently I had the gun stripped, cleaned, and oiled by another gunsmith. I requested barrel wall thickness measurements and was handed this troubling news several days ago;
Left 9 ahead of breech = .040 Right 9 ahead of breech = .018
Im alarmed by the right barrel measurements 9 ahead of breech coming in at only .018. This gunsmith also stated the gun was safe but added it can never be re-blued. Any further loss of metal would leave the walls too thin and dangerous to use. At this writing my gun is in transit from the gunsmith and I planned on using it for sporting clays this weekend. Can anyone offer sound advice to a guy on the horns of a dilemma?
Thanks,
Joey
Last edited by joeygrouse; 08/11/11 10:46 PM.
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,759 Likes: 65
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,759 Likes: 65 |
You mean to say that the first "gunsmith" took .022 off to remove the pits, doesn't sound right. It would almost have to have a depression in that area, or if he blended it, then more than just that area is thin.
He said it was safe, let him shoot it more than once.
David
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 331 Likes: 84
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 331 Likes: 84 |
I remember that Daly. Sorry to hear the bad news.
With a fine gun on his arm, a man becomes a sporting gentleman, both on the field and off.
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,284
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,284 |
I'd shoot it, but that's me, I know it's below min thickness, but that's to sell. Use low pressure loads. 16 bore? I presume you are reloading anyway?
T
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 15,456 Likes: 87
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 15,456 Likes: 87 |
Left 9 ahead of breech = .040 Right 9 ahead of breech = .018
Im alarmed by the right barrel measurements 9 ahead of breech coming in at only .018.
Get a dial caliper set it on .018 and you be the judge...sounds to me like you'd do well to hang it in the local Cracker Barrel.
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 32
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 32 |
I use shells made by RST - 16 Ga. 2 1/2" Lite 1oz. Vel. 1200/PSI. 6800.
I suppose I could throw [a lot] more money at it and have new barrels made. Do I have options?
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,284
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,284 |
Barrels made? Yikes....too much I would think...sleeved maybe..
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 292
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 292 |
I'd give the "reputable dealer" a call and explain your concern. I think his smith should have quit about .010 sooner. I would not shoot the gun.
A Springer Spaniel, a 6# double and a fair day to hunt.
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,812
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,812 |
+1. Way too close to left hand, eyes, and brain. If the bores have to be honed to foil thickness, hanging it on the wall is cheaper and safer.
jack
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