Greatly Improve Your Turkey Pattern

[AKBowman]

Yup! The cheaper guns will typically will need a lot more work during the polishing process than a more expensive gun. Talking brand new of course.  Pretty big difference I do believe it is because of the wad getting hung up in the deformations of the barrell that are caused from use or manufacturing.

[The Gobble-stopper]

I did the sort of the same thing on my model 700, 270. Except I made a plug out of leather and used 10,000 grit rock polishing compound. My groups went from 2 inch at 100 yards to 2 and a half at 300. And the powder doesnt stick in the barrel any more. Never have to clean it. It looks like polished silver now. I learned that from a federal rep. years ago. He said there are always microscopic burrs left after milling.

[JPhelps]

 

That's why most of your high quality match grade rifle barrels are hand lapped.

This is definitely worth the time, unless you don't want a better pattern.

[Lincoln4]

Well, shot today.  Unfortunately, I was rushed by the leader of a work party at the range.  Only got enough time to find that the load I was using had a different POI than the last.  I'll have to work on it next Friday...     Looks fairly good, just need to adjust my red dot to move it to my 10" circle...

[Special T]

WOW! I'm gona do this to my shot gun!

[wonder]

Thanks JPhelps for the tip.  I went to the store the other day trying to find these Scotch Brite pads that are Green and Blue but could not find any? This was at Albertsons.  I did grab a Scotch Brite pad that was much thinner maybe 3/8 of an inch thick but it was all one color.  All of the other pads had an abrasive side and a sponge side.  Does this pad have an abrasive side on both?

Appreciate the tip even though I can't seem to find the right equipment/material.

[JPhelps]

Wonder,
I got mine from the hardware store.  They should be with the sand paper.

Yeah the cleaning scotch brite always has the sponge attached to it.  We are wanting a square sheet.

Home Depot, Lowes or local ace hardware type stores should have it.

[wonder]

Perfect, thanks.  Was not sure what I was looking for especially.  We have an ACE hardware right along the way home from me.  I'll check there.  Have not been able to get out yet and sounds like folks are really taking it to the Thunder Chickens.  Did a pattern check with my hunting partner and was not impressed with my guns pattern at all.  Enjoy the rest of the season and thanks again 

[Lincoln4]

I just picked mine up at WalMart, in the kitchen cleaning supplies...

[Fishnfowler]

I can see how this helps a rifle, but I don't get how it helps a shotgun.  Do wads really start slowing down before they get out of the barrel?  I thought the gasses continued to expand until the wad cleared the muzzle.  Perhaps it is different with an autoloader that has a gas cycling system?  What happens after the first shot and everything is sooted up and plastic fouled?  Does the pattern start to degrade after the first shot?

[JPhelps]

The pattern stays better.  There is less plastic and carbon fouling due to the mirror polish barrel.  Also cleans easier.

I try not to get caught up with theories just the real world results.  The drag on the wad is substantial enough to harm the pattern though.

[Lincoln4]

Ok, I'm impressed.  I got to shoot without being rushed today.  With my Mossberg 500 20 gauge(polished barrel), with the stock ACCU-CHOKE X-Full choke, I tested three different loads. I shot at 25 yards and counted the number of pellets in my 10 3/8 circle.   And the winner is..

Remington Nitro Turkey 3" 20 gauge #5                   96 and 98 pellets     
Remington Premier Magnum 3" 20 gauge #6            130 and 123 pellets
Kent Ultimate Diamond Shot 3" 20 gauge #6            136 and 138 pellets

Kent Ultimate Diamond Shot #6 it is.  I love it when the cheap stuff works.

By the way, that's over a 25% increase in pellets in the circle since before I polished the barrel! 

[JPhelps]

Lincoln4,

Those are the results I would expect.

This REALLY does work!

[Chesapeake]

With a Mossberg this is probably good, but you wouldn't want to do that to a Benelli with a chrome lined bore.

[motg9_6]

Great tip! I will be doing comparisons for 00 buck 3 in and 2 3/4 while im at it. Will post pics when done.