Back bore to remove pits

[Bill Graham]

1906 VH, Vulcan steel barrels, 2 5/8"chambers, very good barrel exterior condition, and a number of deep looking pits in the bores.

Took measurements tonight with a Dave Manson bore wall thickness gauge (not extremely precise) and came up with the readings in the pictures. Does it look like I have enough meat to ream the bores some and still be within safe ranges, or is this barrel scrap? I cannot afford to sleeve the barrels, and it wouldn't be worth the expense anyway if I could.

Thanks.

[tom tutwiler]

IMO it depends where those pits are. If they well towards the breech, perhaps. If they are half way or further down the barrels I'd say they are toast. That said, a bunch of smart folks will chime in who no doubt have more experience then I do for sure.

[Bill Graham]

Originally Posted by tom tutwiler

IMO it depends where those pits are.

The worst two are:

4" from from breech, 12 o'clock, right barrel.
2" from muzzle, 10 o'clock, left barrel.

The right barrel is the worse of the two overall, and both are littered with small ones along the entire length. I'm guessing corrosive ammo, and years of sitting uncleaned.

[OH Osthaus]

Originally Posted by Bill Graham

The worst two are:

4" from from breach, 12 o'clock, right barrel.
2" from muzzle, 10 o'clock, left barrel.

The right barrel is the worse of the two overall, and both are littered with small ones along the entire length. I'm guessing corrosive ammo, and years of sitting uncleaned.

as far as ammo goes--
black powder gets a bad rap for pitting- but IMHO - the corrosive primers used in the early days ( up to around WWII in some ammo) is the primary culprit

[B. Dudley]

Pitting always looks worse than it is when you are looking down the bore. Because you are looking across the pit. Not at it dorectly the Surface.

If used properly, a manson gauge will provide you with accurate measurements for wall thickness. But the large ball end on it does not allow you to measure how deep the pitting actually is. A hosford gauge is much better for this.

The measurements you have listed on the barrels look to be perfectly normal for most barrel sets. I would not call the barrels junk too quickly. At least from a shooter standpoint.

I would not recommend any backboring. You would be throwing money at something that is just going to compromise the integrity of the barrels. Yes, pitting looks bad, bit it usually does not effect the shootabiltiy of a set of barrels.

[Daniel G Rainey]

Pitting does not usually effect the shootabiltiy. I learn something from the site all the time. But, does pitting effect the pattern the the gun?

[B. Dudley]

Originally Posted by Daniel G Rainey

Pitting does not usually effect the shootabiltiy. I learn something from the site all the time. But, does pitting effect the pattern the the gun?

How would it with a shot cup?
And when i say that pitting does not effect shootability. I mean safe shootability... And pitting that is typical of these older guns. How many of us are shooting hammer guns with moderate or even heavy pitting?

[Bill Graham]

Originally Posted by Brian Dudley

when i say that pitting does not effect shootability. I mean safe shootability... And pitting that is typical of these older guns. How many of us are shooting hammer guns with moderate or even heavy pitting?

That's all I care about; safe shootability. I shot it once, and it hit what I aimed at.

I'm fine as well with not back boring. It wouldn't cost me anything to have it done, but if I don't need to then I wouldn't want to. It would be nice however to lengthen the chambers to 2 3/4. I can easily buy Winchester WinLite shells right down the street, and they are a very mellow load.

[OH Osthaus]

Originally Posted by Bill Graham

It would be nice however to lengthen the chambers to 2 3/4. I can easily buy Winchester WinLite shells right down the street, which would be easier than mailorder.

if there is any operation where wall thickness is most affected- this is it

[Bill Graham]

Originally Posted by Rick Losey

if there is any operation where wall thickness is most affected- this is it

Nevermind that idea then. I'll order short shells online. Thanks.

Time to strike, polish, and blacken. Will leave the rest well enough alone.