Regarding barrel regulation being affected by the shortening of the barrels: If that's true, then I guess we are assuming that each barrel is not reasonably straight, but instead, is (minutely) bent in all different directions (but looks straight at a casual glance) ?
Now, every manufactured product has a tolerance, and "straightness" of a barrel has an angular tolerance too. But....... If each tube is reasonably straight, it's centerline will theoretically define point of impact.
OK - now, if one regulates two such tubes together to form a side-by-side barrel assembly, they are "adjusting" the alignment of each tubes centerline to be reasonably coincident at a given distance (let's just say, 50 yards).
Now - these barrel centerlines - being "LINES" - are straight. That's a definition of a line. Additionally, these two centerlines do not change from their original orientation after one, two , or three inches of barrel assembly is cut off. (ie: the two barrels are soldered together for their entire length).
So, by shortening the tubes, we have not "moved" one barrel relative to the other, and we have not changed the same straight "centerlines" of each barrel. So, how then can the point of impact be so drastically changed ?
Additionally, we're talking about shotguns, not rifles. If one was talking about rifles - they are so exacting/accurate that a minute change in barrel "straightness" or barrel vibration/harmonics could affect the apparent point of impact (when the arm is capable of a 1/2" group at 100 yards). But when you're throwing a swarm of pellets in a pattern that can be reasonably measured in feet vs. minute of angle - how much differently can 2" shorter barrels possibly be aligned ?
[BTW: since the thinner walled muzzles of each barrels "touch" (at the muzzle end) - and the breech end of the barrels (which have much thicker walls) also touch, this means that the barrel centerlines are not parallel, and the paths of the shot charges must cross each other (when viewed from above the gun) not too far from the muzzle. Double rifles (when viewed from the muzzle) have the centerlines of each bore separated by a great distance in order to keep them reasonably parallel. Since shotgun bores do not appear to have the parallel centerline, that level of exactness must not be needed.]
I'm playing devil's advocate - I'm not saying that it's a simple task to regulate shotguns. In fact, I still have a beautiful 20 ga. Weatherby O/U that is such a POORLY REGULATED P.O.S. that it shoots like two completely different guns - mounted on one stock. The fine boys at Weatherby said it shot to their specs & did nothing to solve my problem. As a result, I can NEVER recommend that maker, and will never by one of their products again.
Of course, who needs to - with all those amazing old Parkers out there !!!!!
{Damn - my fingers are tired from all that typing !!!!}
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