doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DIY Gunsmithing @ doublegunshop.com How best to hone a smooth bore?

I have been doing this and have tried both sandpaper and steel wool on a wooden dowel. The going is slow. I started with paper that was not marked as to the grit then I went and bought 180 and 220 approximately, I can't remember exactly right this moment. Now I'm onto No.1 coarse steel wool. Should I be doing something different? Should I be using some kind of lube with the steel wool? Which is better for this kind of thing paper or wool? This bore was very bad! Thanks for any information offered. Kurt

Use a hone made for honing shotgun bores ,with progressivly finer hones.

Yes, that would be a better way.

I have sent an email to get a brochure download. From the website I can't find how long a rod I can buy, I'll need 36 inches, or if the hone brushes can be attached to other rods. I saw these at Midway, amazon, and others but can't get the rod and attachment data. Thank you both, mc, and Woodreaux.

From the brochure download, I see that the longest shaft including the brush is 34 inches. The rod and brush are one piece. Perhaps I'll leave a couple of inches at the breech rough. I also learned the need for honing oil. Thanks again.

Hone from both ends.

I don't want to take the breech plug out. Too much trouble. It's been in there for at least 150 years.

Round ball hones don’t do a good job of flattering out rough bores and they are very slow.

Find someone with a proper honing machine and long mandrills .

Superior hone uses 2 opposing long wide stones and does a good job of creating a smooth consistent bore.

Herein Brit land. Barrel Hones and reamers plus a person equals an out of proof gun. Taking metal out of a shotgun barrel is never a good thing in the end it is shortening the guns life.

damascus-----------Amen