Shotgun barrel bulge

[sirmissalot]

So here's a stupid question for you. My buddy has a Beneli Super Black Eagle II, I was looking at his gun the other day (same gun as mine only his is camo mine is black) and his barrel had a bulge in it! About halfway down the barrel you could feel it and some of the camo was wearing off around it, so obviously it had been there a while. These barrels are some kind of crio-ultra-mega-super hard stuff (I am not a shotgun guy) so I would imagine it was caused by him doing something stupid. He says he thinks it was made that way... yeah right. So here is my question, what could have caused it? My first assumption was that he tried shooting a flare out of his gun but he says he didn't. He has some fancy looking Kicks choke on it that says USE STEEL SHOT ONLY but he shoots everything through it from 8 shot trap shells to 3 1/2 in. turkey loads, again I'm not a shotgun guy and I'm not as dumb as my friend is (I'm allowed to call him that after all I've seen him do) so is that what caused the bulge in his barrel? I don't even like to stand next to him with most guns, let alone that one anymore.

[Bob33]

If it's halfway down the barrel I really doubt the shot type had anything to do with it.  Steel shot might open up a choke at the end of the barrel but not create a bulge in the middle.

[seth30]

If it's halfway down the barrel I really doubt the shot type had anything to do with it.  Steel shot might open up a choke at the end of the barrel but not create a bulge in the middle.

What about a slug?

[NRA4LIFE]

Does he shoot handloads out of it?  If you had a round with no powder in it the primer can blow the wad and shot out of the hull but the wad can become lodged in the barrel.  A subsequent full power load could bulge the barrel then. 

Maybe over pressure from the turkey loads?  I doubt it but maybe.  Also, some dirt jammed in the end of the barrel could do it too.

The experts recommend not shooting with that barrel anymore.

[Sumpnneedskillin]

Does he shoot handloads out of it?  If you had a round with no powder in it the primer can blow the wad and shot out of the hull but the wad can become lodged in the barrel.  A subsequent full power load could bulge the barrel then. 

Maybe over pressure from the turkey loads?  I doubt it but maybe.  Also, some dirt jammed in the end of the barrel could do it too.

The experts recommend not shooting with that barrel anymore.

[CP]

Doesn’t really matter why, what matters is it’s now bulged and may not be safe.  He should have it repaired or replaced before something nasty happens.

[high country]

Barrels on shotguns plugged with snow or mud will do that too. It may also be a bulge from a squib, which is a big deal. Shotgun barrels move a bunch under pressure and it could be enough to start trouble.

[high country]

The ultra suck part is that he will have to deal with beretta service. I would rather slam my bag in a car door than deal with them.

[hillbilli]

I have seen this before, although then it was a stoeger auto shotgun. I had a squib (underpowered) steel shot round that fired, but didnt clear the barrel. Not realizing it I fired again, and knew something wasn't right about that load, because the pellets hit the water like you had hand-thrown them...if a round for some reason does this and the shot load is still in the barrel, the next load will bulge the barrel.. ive seen a .22lr with a bulged barrel that people were still shooting years later, but I definitely wouldnt shoot a 12 guage with a weak spot in the barrel.. replace that barrel.. mine was bad enough there was probably a quarter inch rise in the vent rib..

[sirmissalot]

Yeah this one isn't that bad but I sure as heck wouldn't shoot it anymore. Sounds like there are quite a few possibilites of how it happened.

[Bob33]

Solution: start internet browser like IE.  Navigate to www.google.com.  Type "benelli super black eagle ii barrel" into input box.  Click "search".  Look for applicable and desirable barrel.  Search for best deal.  Purchase and replace damaged barrel.

Either that or sell the gun "as is".

Contacting Beretta Service will most likely take a couple years off your life, leave you bald, and have you screaming unintelligable phrases.

[MikeWalking]

He now has something to turn into a very unique cane.

[sirmissalot]

He now has something to turn into a very unique cane.

  Thats a good one I will be sure and tell him that.

The same guy on the same day grabbed one of my 204 rounds, jacked it into his rifle, fired it then couldn't get the case out. I only neck size my brass for this rifle, as its the only 204 I have and I'm the only one that (usually) shoots my ammo.  maybe he'll bring his own ammo next time.

[Bob33]

He now has something to turn into a very unique cane.

  Thats a good one I will be sure and tell him that.

The same guy on the same day grabbed one of my 204 rounds, jacked it into his rifle, fired it then couldn't get the case out. I only neck size my brass for this rifle, as its the only 204 I have and I'm the only one that (usually) shoots my ammo.  maybe he'll bring his own ammo next time.

He may need a new rifle, and you may need a new hunting partner...

[MikeWalking]

He now has something to turn into a very unique cane.

  Thats a good one I will be sure and tell him that.

The same guy on the same day grabbed one of my 204 rounds, jacked it into his rifle, fired it then couldn't get the case out. I only neck size my brass for this rifle, as its the only 204 I have and I'm the only one that (usually) shoots my ammo.  maybe he'll bring his own ammo next time.

He may need a new rifle, and you may need a new hunting partner...

some guys should always, always walk on point...