polishing Shotgun barrel bore.

colostomyclown · August 19, 2011, 01:27 PM

So I followed some given advice, bought some 000 extra fine steel wool and wooden dowels and used them by hand and with a drill to polish some rough shotgun bores I had inherited, cleaning up the chamber and the bore and it looks great.

Am I doing this correctly? I just want to make sure I'm not removing any protective the layer in the bore that will cause it to pit out of control or bulge or anything or threaten headspace. Like I said I'm using 000 extra fine steel wool and some oil like Honing oil or 3-in-1 oil...

also, does a smooth shiny bore help patterning at all? I know a polished chamber will alleviate feed issues, are there other benefits as well?

Edward429451 · August 19, 2011, 02:04 PM

It wont foul as fast as it did before.

colostomyclown · August 19, 2011, 02:16 PM

thanks, I did not know that.

Slopemeno · August 19, 2011, 05:49 PM

I'd be careful to not egg out your bore that way. A brake cylinder hone in a very fine grit is a better call.

Dfariswheel · August 19, 2011, 06:12 PM

It would take a LOT of steel wool to egg shape or remove significant metal from the bore.
As long as the bore isn't chrome plated you won't harm it.

Strangely, for reasons they didn't quite understand, the American Rifleman Tech Staff once did a test in which the groups tightened when the choke area was roughened up.
Repeat, this was ONE test and ONLY the actual choke area was slightly roughened.

highvel · August 19, 2011, 08:38 PM

The theory is a rough finish on the choke will slow the wad and start shot to string, thereby tighter pattern.

James K · August 19, 2011, 09:21 PM

Anyone know when that test was run by the AR staff? It sounds like it might have been before use of plastic wads, when the thick over-powder wad sometimes broke up the pattern as it exited the bore.

Jim

colostomyclown · August 19, 2011, 11:22 PM

no chokes here, folks. Have now done four shotguns, an 870 tactical, 1981 police wingmaster and two 590a1s. all cyl or imp cyl barrels. All look like a mirror now and I didn't have to wail on the barrels too hard. 6 or 7 vigorous passes in conjunction with some wd-40 or 3-in-1 and now the chambers and bores gleam.

i was having some issues with the 81 wingmaster the other day. had a +2 extension on it and the gun started off fine. after burning through about 50 rounds, it wouldnt like to eject shells properly depending on my pump technique. if i racked slow, like the movies, a deliberate chik-chak, the gun would function fine. however, if i racked how ive been taught and how a prefer, a speedy forceful quick back and forward, shells would hang up and not eject. i was not short stroking. could this have been due to the rough chamber? or was the extension put on incorrectly and the spring hanging up possibly?

T. O'Heir · August 20, 2011, 12:07 AM

"...000 extra fine steel wool..." 0000, but we know.
"...any protective layer in the bore..." There isn't one. The bore has nothing whatever to do with head space either. That's entirely a bolt/chamber tolerance.

August 19, 2011, 01:27 PM	#1
colostomyclown Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2009 Posts: 613	polishing Shotgun barrel bore. So I followed some given advice, bought some 000 extra fine steel wool and wooden dowels and used them by hand and with a drill to polish some rough shotgun bores I had inherited, cleaning up the chamber and the bore and it looks great. Am I doing this correctly? I just want to make sure I'm not removing any protective the layer in the bore that will cause it to pit out of control or bulge or anything or threaten headspace. Like I said I'm using 000 extra fine steel wool and some oil like Honing oil or 3-in-1 oil... also, does a smooth shiny bore help patterning at all? I know a polished chamber will alleviate feed issues, are there other benefits as well?

August 19, 2011, 08:38 PM	#6
highvel Senior Member Join Date: January 21, 2010 Location: Powhatan VA Posts: 633	The theory is a rough finish on the choke will slow the wad and start shot to string, thereby tighter pattern. __________________ Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.--Mark Twain "I have opinions of my own 'strong opinions' but I don't always agree with them."--George Bush

August 19, 2011, 11:22 PM	#8
colostomyclown Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2009 Posts: 613	no chokes here, folks. Have now done four shotguns, an 870 tactical, 1981 police wingmaster and two 590a1s. all cyl or imp cyl barrels. All look like a mirror now and I didn't have to wail on the barrels too hard. 6 or 7 vigorous passes in conjunction with some wd-40 or 3-in-1 and now the chambers and bores gleam. i was having some issues with the 81 wingmaster the other day. had a +2 extension on it and the gun started off fine. after burning through about 50 rounds, it wouldnt like to eject shells properly depending on my pump technique. if i racked slow, like the movies, a deliberate chik-chak, the gun would function fine. however, if i racked how ive been taught and how a prefer, a speedy forceful quick back and forward, shells would hang up and not eject. i was not short stroking. could this have been due to the rough chamber? or was the extension put on incorrectly and the spring hanging up possibly? Last edited by colostomyclown; August 19, 2011 at 11:27 PM.

August 20, 2011, 12:07 AM	#9
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...000 extra fine steel wool..." 0000, but we know. "...any protective layer in the bore..." There isn't one. The bore has nothing whatever to do with head space either. That's entirely a bolt/chamber tolerance. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

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August 19, 2011, 02:04 PM	#2
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	It wont foul as fast as it did before.

August 19, 2011, 02:16 PM	#3
colostomyclown Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2009 Posts: 613	thanks, I did not know that.

August 19, 2011, 05:49 PM	#4
Slopemeno Senior Member Join Date: January 19, 2007 Posts: 2,663	I'd be careful to not egg out your bore that way. A brake cylinder hone in a very fine grit is a better call.

August 19, 2011, 06:12 PM	#5
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	It would take a LOT of steel wool to egg shape or remove significant metal from the bore. As long as the bore isn't chrome plated you won't harm it. Strangely, for reasons they didn't quite understand, the American Rifleman Tech Staff once did a test in which the groups tightened when the choke area was roughened up. Repeat, this was ONE test and ONLY the actual choke area was slightly roughened.

August 19, 2011, 09:21 PM	#7
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Anyone know when that test was run by the AR staff? It sounds like it might have been before use of plastic wads, when the thick over-powder wad sometimes broke up the pattern as it exited the bore. Jim