barrel weight

[Austin W Hogan]

The little 00 frame twenty gauge that I showed at the annual meeting last year does not have the unstruck weight stamp, but the barrels currently weigh 2 pounds 6 ounces (28 inch). The chamber walls are very thin, and both are bulged. I would be very careful about firing a twenty that weighs less. The gun weighs 5 3/4 pounds.

Best, Austin

[TARNATION !!!]

I haven't seen any lighter or heavier than what Charlie describes.

On the topic of barrel weights, the numbers stamped on the flats indicate "unstruck" weight. As I understand it that is the "rough" tubes prior to finishing. What exactly happens between "unstruck" and "struck"? I assume that the final product is always a lesser weight from "unstruck" but I will appreciate clarification on this. Still learning.

Cheers,
Jack

[Austin W Hogan]

Around 1997, we weighed about 50 barrels, and compared the finished weight to that stamped on the barrel flats. We plotted finished against unstruck and plotted the best straight line through the points. It indicated that the average finished barrel weighed 85% of the unfinished barrel, but the amount filed away seemed to decrease with increasing serial number. This appeared as an early PP article; if I can find the text I'll send it to Robin to post.
As is usual there are big exceptions to the average. There are match weight two barrel two gauge sets that weigh the same. There are other two barrel sets with a pound of difference between two barrels of the same gauge. The weight of the barrel (and balance of the gun) is generally achieved by filing in the section between breech and fore end tip.

Best, Austin