doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Shotgun Barrel Wall Thickness

I posted this reply on the H&H topic. I guess the topic has moved on but in referance to the original topic posting:

It is perhaps interesting that I have never come across any one in the English trade who took much notice of the WT at 9" other than barrel makers themselves. Perhaps I mix with the wrong people (!) but everybody seems to concern themselves with MWT throughout the barrel length, I certainly only quote this measurement on my stock descriptions. This is probably not very scientific but has served us well till now.
I would agree that in a perfect world, a MWT of 0.023-0.025 is the ideal but then I have seen a 1970's H&H Royal, not a light weight model, with original MWT of 0.019".
In my experience, other than in muzzle loaders or very early breech loaders, the thinnest point of the barrel is usually a little more than 1/2 way down the tube. If you work on a MWT of 0.025" at 9" from the muzzle, it might be in the upper teens at 15".
I have successfully nitro proofed Damascus down to 0.014" which, although not to be recommended, was an enlightening achievement.

As an exception,

I have a 20 ga damascus with only .076" of wall thickness at the end of the chamber that was reprooved at 950 bar.

I recently picked up a Western Arms Long Range Deluxe 12 ga. in excellent shape, 26" barrels.
The bores, which are very good, measure 4 1/4" from the breech, right barrel .752 and left .744; 3" from the muzzle, right .740, left .735. Right muzzle is .711, left .687. The OD 4 1/4" from the breech is .940. Should be interesting to see what it patterns.

From what I have gathered from this thread, my wall thickness is OK; am I correct?

Someone, for what ever reason, had it backbored.

"The bores, which are very good" You mean now they are.
If gun was originally .729-732 bore, in the right barrel that is .010 removed, and in the left, .008 removed.
I would be more concerned as to what the thickness is 6-15" from breech.
I would definitely have someone with a wall thickness gage, and the right type, to measure them.

Patriot, that gun has a bunch of choke, for sure.

Yes it does Larry.

On another thread, a cutaway drawing of a 12 ga barrel showed .048 at 12" from the breech. Is that .048 on each side or .024 on each side?
I'm just wondering because JDW said .010 and .008 removed.

I'd say that was .048 per side. I'd say barrel wall thickness of .024 12" from the breech would be pretty thin. Now, move that to 6 or 8 inches from the muzzles and while thin its acceptable.

Just one person's opinion or course.

That drawing came from 'damascus knowledge' I think; it might for damascus barrels. I measured three 12s that I have at the various points and none have the OD that the barrel on that chart has.

Agree with Tut. .048 would be (or certainly SHOULD be) the minimum wall thickness anywhere around the tube at 12" from the breech.

I had the Western Arms bore measured by a smith yesterday.

Right barrel
At 3" 1.010 OD .756 ID; 6" .880 OD .743 ID; 12" .820 OD .743 ID; 20" .800 OD .743 ID.

So, it appears it has about 3" polished forcing cone that at 6" is .743 all the way to the choke. Right muzzle .711.

I patterned it yesterday with RST #6 shot. Both barrels threw 14" patterns at 20 yds. which is Full.

BTW. Does anyone have a Western Arms Long Range Deluxe. The Deluxe had checkering; does it look like this?

http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/cpg1410/displayimage.php?pid=6042&fullsize=1