Type of Solder?

[Chuck Heald]

JH,
I stand corrected on TIX melting temps. Apparently TIX can be had in different melting temps. I will defer to your experience with TIX.

I am unfamiliar with any shrinking in steels or gun barrels from heat generated during soldering or even much higher temperatures. My experience is that grain growth from extended high heat application can cause some dimensional growth and martensitic steels can shrink a very small amount when hardening. I have a graphic example of dimensional growth from grain growth in something I'll try to remember to post a picture of. The example item gets heated regularly to somewhere in the 1800-1900F range from high output propane burner running close to 2000F. The grain growth caused very obvious dimensional growth changes. But this takes extended time at elevated temps or repeated elevated temps.

I am not aware of any steels that exhibit permanent appreciable dimensional change (greater or lesser) effect of temperatures used in soldering with tin/lead eutectic solder. But I'm always learning.

[John Hancock]

Chuck, As I think about it the bbls. may not shrink so much as go out of round. Any time I am messing with bbls., usually to do something with the choke, I use pin gauges to determine the bore size. (interesting how few bbls. are the same bore dia. the entire length) My pratice is to find a pin gauge that will pass the bbl. where I am interested in it and then note that size, add .001", and call that the bore size. I used Brownells Hi-Force 44 on the first few Superposed I did and had to drop .003" to .005" with the pin gauge to get one to go through. Started useing the TIX they sell with good results so far and the pin used before soldering would still go through after the job. Certainly any of the 60/40 type solders are a good deal stronger than TIX and if one is concerned with the possibility of the rib shooting loose use 60/40. ERIC, if you use a conventional 60/40 type solder, I think the Hi-Force 44 with the Comet Flux is mabee of the best "flowing" solder I have ever used. CHUCK, How hot is an average "dove" day in Ca.? Here in Texas seems like they don't really fly till it gets to about 104. When I was younger didn't notice, now it seems hot. Of course quit Mexico some years ago, add 10% to the temp here for a good dove field in Mex. Regards, John