Barrel Wall Thickness Readings

[Garhart Stephenson]

Great discussion and explanations. Having just performed these measuring procedures, I am glad that it has been pointed out how to properly zero a gauge (which takes rod flex out of the equation of zeroing), the importance of horizontal zeroing/ gauge use to eliminate gravity's affect on "rod flex" that alters readings, and the importance of not allowing the rods to contact the barrel (or anything else) which would induce rod flex errors. Excellent descriptions!

[edgarspencer]

I will admit that some points Dr. Drew made, got me thinking that I should be taking more measurements to complete the picture. Part of the reason I don't often turn the barrel around and measure in from the breech is laziness due to the manipulation of the barrel, without that extra set of hands. I have always been tuned into those 'improvements' that aren't: chamber lengthening. My preference is towards smaller frame guns, so knowing the wall at the forcing cone is perhaps more important that knowing what the wall is between midway and muzzle. The fore end area is critical to me also, because I have a permanent image in my brain a of guy's thumb tip blown off at a field trial when he let loose to much oomph for the English hammer gun he had only just passed around at show-and-tell.
Brian makes important points, and simply knowing how to properly use the Manson style gauge, and knowing the real numbers, isn't of any value, if you don't also know what numbers are OK, and those that aren't