X-ray, or Magnaflux ?

[Double Trouble]

Does anyone know of a person who x-rays or Magnafluxes shotgun barrels ?

I want to get a definitive result on what looks like a crack (or localized pitting) inside my twist steel 12 gauge barrel.

Thanks !

[Autumn Daze]

John, This has been dicussed here and on other forums as well. Because composite barrels are a myraid of welds (for lack of a better term) I don't know that x-ray and magnaflux would give you a true picture of a fault on a weld line.

[Double Trouble]

In theory: Even a mass of good welds should still be able to be x-rayed. Each weld should be solid metal, so any gaps, voids, cracks, inclusions of a differing density, etc. should show up as a defect. (Again, this is in theory...)

So, again in theory, a properly "welded" set of twist or damascus barrels should be one uniform solid tube (conprised of iron & steel - but still a uniform solid piece of metal).

...but after 125 years...who knows ? Heck, I can "feel" a slightly "ribbed" texture to my barrels. My guess is corrosive agents (sweat from hands, elements, BP residue, etc.) have selectively etched the barrel surface. Could the same thing have occurred inside too ? Not to mention, how would one even x-ray a barrel anyway ? I've seen metal plates x-rayed, and you have the radioactive souce on one side of the plate, and a film on the other side. Source penetrates one metal surface & "exposes" the film. Unless you could get the source inside the barrel, you would need to send the x-rays through both sides (diametreically opposite each other) of the barrel to expose the film on the other side. I can't imagine that turning out too well.

...and Magnaflux - would that illustrate every deep scratch in the barrels ?


I'll probably just not shoot it...

[Autumn Daze]

John, I think Magna flux would be the better of the two options. We used to have a company here in town called Metal-Test where I used to bring my race motor parts..Cranks ,rods,rod bolts etc.for Magna Flux testing. I don't know if they are still in business. I have an old set of twist barrels here. I wonder if it would be worth the money to have them test them and see what they can see. The results may prove interesting....

[Double Trouble]

Agreed. We used to have a company Magnaflux our crane hooks years ago. Now, everything's dye-penetrant testing...

[Autumn Daze]

I just may have to look into this John. Could make an interesting Parker Pages article....

[Ed Blake]

When in doubt, don't shoot it. Sounds like those barrels have gotten inside your head.

[Double Trouble]

They have ! (I guess I can always just shoot the right barrel - trap shooting.)

[Autumn Daze]

A few years ago I had a 10 gauge NH here for the 3 day inspection after going over the barrels with a loupe I found an area that just didn't look right. It was either a deep scratch or a fissure. Couldn't get past it...just sent it back...

[Double Trouble]

Linear defects (cracks, deep scratches, etc) scare me far more than pits. {I have a drilling with freakin' ugly pitted bores, but nothing resembling a crack. I shoot it often with RST's lowest pressure shells.}