Recrowning shotgun barrel

[Romulus]

I have an otherwise excellent barrel for my 870, but the crown is a bit monged up. Is there a crowning/facing tool for shotguns, like the ones Brownells sell for revolvers? If no, is this a lathe job or can it be done judiciously by hand? How can one guarantee a "true" crown, perpendicular to the bore?

Thanks...

[Dfariswheel]

The Brownell's facing/crowning tools come in shotgun sizes.

Having a true crown is somewhat less critical than on a rifle or pistol. A decent crown can be had by filing the muzzle "eye ball" true, then using some fine metal sanding cloth on the ball of the thumb, to remove the sharp edge. I wouldn't recommend using this method on a trap or skeet gun, but for a cut-it-down-yourself home defense barrel, it will do.

[Romulus]

Thanks, but what about for a slug gun? This will be my deer barrel...

[Dfariswheel]

Where accuracy counts I'd go with a piloted cutter/crowner from Brownell's. I suppose the barrel could be put in a lath or even a milling machine, but that calls for some fancy setup, and can often mar the finish.

[Romulus]

That would come to $35 for the facing tool, plus $10 for the pilot...a bit steep for just one barrel...How much would a smith charge for this service, any guesses?

[stuckatwork]

Hi Romulus,

I dropped one of my rifles on the muzzle and put a nice ding in the crown. A gunsmith in my neck of the woods charged $55 to do the job. This included removing the barrel from the receiver and lathe setup.

Prices in your town my vary. Call around and ask for prices.

[Romulus]

Maybe the thing to do is to have it fitted for choke tubes...that way I could slap on a rifled choke or pattern for the best tube...skeet, IC, etc...

How much to have it fitted for tubes, more or less?

Thanks

[JMBrowning]

Does the barrel have an integral choke?If it's an open choke,have a 'smith tap the thing for rem-chokes.

[JMBrowning]

Hup,sorry,see you were reading my mind and typing as I was.Most 'smiths won't charge over $35-$50 for doing it. I charge $35.00.

[Romulus]

Thank you JMB...what I'll do is zero in the sights for slugs first, see how it actually shoots. First things first, hey?

[JMBrowning]

Yessir. Bet you'll find it'll be deadly with a nice rifled slug choke screwed into it,though.