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Author Topic: polishing your shotgun barrel?  (Read 16811 times)

Offline demontang

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polishing your shotgun barrel?
« on: April 11, 2011, 09:00:49 AM »
So Ive seen clams that if you polish your shoty barrel it will group better  :dunno: Im going to try and see if its true. I know my 870 will kill out to 30yds  but past that its not good enough for me to take a shot. I grabbed my factory full choke to try out too and my gun isnt a turkey gun but used for everything from quail to turkey and coyotes. The factory full will kill a coyote out to 65-70yds with t shot but doesnt seem to pattern as well with smaller shot :dunno:

Offline turkeyspark

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Re: polishing your shotgun barrel?
« Reply #1 on: April 11, 2011, 09:27:32 AM »
I've also heard this.  I'm a machinist by trade and I work with similar metals.  I would recommend using scotch brite pads and a 3/8 drill with high speed.  That and plenty of WD40 in the bore and on the pad to keep that baby nice and lubed.   Also, mark off the rod with tape as to where the choke threads start so you don't polish a burr into the choke threads.  You also want to make sure and switch out pads half way and run a clean wipe down to get out any debris that builds up.  That way your polishing job doesn't turn into a sanding job... :o

I have spoken to a few gun smiths about this procedure and they all say you can improve patterning up to 25% if you do it right. 

Hope it works good for you!
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Offline lokidog

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Re: polishing your shotgun barrel?
« Reply #2 on: April 11, 2011, 10:22:33 AM »
I usually polish mine with steel ball bearings....   :chuckle:

Offline demontang

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Re: polishing your shotgun barrel?
« Reply #3 on: April 11, 2011, 11:51:40 AM »
Well my shotgun literly has millions of rounds through it. It was used to kill blackbirds and they would run flats a day through there guns. I have shot it a bunch as well cause are agentcy doesnt use 870's much they normaly use auto loaders and I dont like them cause they lead funny to me.

I used a med grit scotch bright with lots of wd and then worked to a extra fine grit scotch bright. I cleaned it and used a polishing compound to get all the scratchs out. The bore looks like a mirror inside so now to go pattern it and see.

Offline turkeyspark

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Re: polishing your shotgun barrel?
« Reply #4 on: April 11, 2011, 12:57:26 PM »
Awesome. 

Let us know how it patterns!
Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.
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Offline demontang

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Re: polishing your shotgun barrel?
« Reply #5 on: April 11, 2011, 02:45:46 PM »
Well I took out the ammo I had cause where I stopped had nothing. I had 2 3/4" 4,6 shot winchester suprem 6's winchester pheasent 4's and rem mohak lr  6's, and some federal 3" 5's. So at 25-30 yards I get the best pattern still. with the old time mohak 6's Im getting around 20 hits in the head/neck at 27 yards. If I step back any it drops off quick at 35 yds im getting like 6 hits in the head/ neck but it does that every time. the winchester 6's didnt do good past 25 yds the federal 5's did jack past 30yds and the winchesters plan 4's where good to 25-30yds. :dunno: looks like I need to go pick up a super full choke and see cause 25-30 yards isnt that far for where Im going to hunt.

Offline turkeyspark

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Re: polishing your shotgun barrel?
« Reply #6 on: April 11, 2011, 03:57:18 PM »
Yeah, I like mine to stay in the sweet spot out until at least 40-45 yards.  At least a dozen in the spine/brain (not just anywhere on the neck/head).  New choke sounds like a good idea.  I use and Undertaker choke on my Rem. 870 Super Mag.  Using 3" Rem Nitro Turkey #6 shot at 1 5/8oz., I get a about a dozen in the kill zone at 45-50 yards.  It widnes out a bit after that, but if I'm shooting 60+ yards for a turkey, I'll shoot myself for being a crappy caller.   :bash:

I bet a tighter choke will improve that for you.  I would feel pretty nervous with only 20-30 yards of range.

Hope it works!  You hunting the opener this year?
Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.
(from Thomas Paine via Lace Pants)

Offline demontang

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Re: polishing your shotgun barrel?
« Reply #7 on: April 11, 2011, 05:09:44 PM »
well found a super full rem choke for 9.99 so Ill have to get some more shells and go out again. and the 20 hits where all kills at 27 yards brain/spine it was only 6 at 35yards so I hope the new choke does it. I plan on going opener but if I dont have the new choke I might not. I havent had a shot at a turkey yet but Ive call a few in when it wasnt season so I hope it works out during season this year. :chuckle:

Offline Oldguy

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Re: polishing your shotgun barrel?
« Reply #8 on: April 11, 2011, 05:31:34 PM »
I'm not doubting the idea but since the shot is enclosed in a plastic wad as it travels down the barrel, is it really effective? In the "old days" the shot touched the bore of the barrel.

Offline Mr56Jeep

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Re: polishing your shotgun barrel?
« Reply #9 on: April 11, 2011, 05:48:36 PM »
The comp. Trap/skeet guy will some times polish to change the taper on the forcing cone for a better pattern but there is a little science in it. It keeps from deforming the shot. Round pellets hold pattern better. Now, if you enter the super full turkey choke and I'm not sure it matters.

You might want to think about using one of the "heavy shot" types of shot. The are close to lead in density and don't deform. They cost more but you only shoot a few all season. It ain't like duck hunting where you shoot a case or more per season....

Something to think about?

Offline demontang

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Re: polishing your shotgun barrel?
« Reply #10 on: April 11, 2011, 06:10:54 PM »
I believe the idea is that the wad and the shot stay together down the bore better if it's polish which would give a better pattern. It did help a little but I still want more pellets on bird then I have now

Offline hughjorgan

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Re: polishing your shotgun barrel?
« Reply #11 on: April 11, 2011, 07:23:46 PM »
A link that shows before and after.... http://primetime-outdoors.com/wordpress/?p=15

Offline JPhelps

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Re: polishing your shotgun barrel?
« Reply #12 on: April 11, 2011, 07:33:43 PM »
This works GREAT!  Read the article I wrote on the link above.  So far everyone that I have talked to that has done it has seen positive results.

Here is the old article that I wrote on a different forum a long time ago (nobody can make fun of my old login name).
http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/turkey-hunting/55084-want-better-pattern.html



Offline demontang

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Re: polishing your shotgun barrel?
« Reply #13 on: April 12, 2011, 08:23:59 AM »
well Im off to find shot shell today and hope my choke is here in a few days. I got some private land to hunt on now :IBCOOL:

Offline phishisgroovin

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Re: polishing your shotgun barrel?
« Reply #14 on: April 12, 2011, 08:34:08 AM »
i still have to locate a turkey choke for my winchester i picked up.
want a super full and a turkey marked choke.

heading to a sporting goods store some time today.
TANNERITE needed for target practice on opening day of each hunting season.

 


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