My project becomes more challenging than I imagined or hoped. The good side is that it is a firsthand opportunity for me to learn. That is, with your knowledge and benevolence.
Unfortunately, the 16 ga Darne barrel that I would like to restore has some pitting both on inside and outside. Most of the pitting is right in front of the chamber and some at the muzzle. It does not seem to be very heavy or very deep, but I don't know.
From a safety standpoint, how much pitting would be too much to shoot (or not)the barrels. The barrels seem to be made of thick steel. They are stamped 17.0 (.669") on both for ID and they are .735 for OD at the thinniest point, 12" from the breech. That gives a difference of .066 or .033 for the wall thickness at the thinnest point.
Is this thickness enough to ream out some of the pitting?
Isn't the minimal barrel thickness somewhere around .030" enough for safety reasons?
The chamber is 2 1/2" and the barrels are nitro proofed with tripple proof, which I think stands for over 18,000 psi of pressure in French.
Of course, the easiest is to send the barrels to a specialist, but that would shorten my learning experience. I might end up doing just that so I don't lose a finger or...
As always, I much appreciate your help.
