CHE

[Bill Murphy]

Yup, my eight gauge hammer gun had lead in the butt that cracked the wood. I drilled out the plug and repaired the crack. The plug will only come out without drilling if the hole is perfect or tapered toward the opening.

[Scott Gentry]

Floor plate creature

[Scott Gentry]

Originally Posted by Bill Murphy

Yup, my eight gauge hammer gun had lead in the butt that cracked the wood. I drilled out the plug and repaired the crack. The plug will only come out without drilling if the hole is perfect or tapered toward the opening.

I may just drill out most of center which should relieve any possible pressure in future. Thanks.

[Keavin Nelson]

I have seen two stocks split that had lead plugs in them. Not sure I would bet on drilling the center out, as it is the oxidation on the outside of the lead plug against the wood that causes the expansion.

[Bill Murphy]

Yup, after drilling out as much of the center as possible, drill a hole that includes an edge of the plug as well as a bit of wood, leaving room for the plug to move.

[6pt-Sika]

The guy that donated the money for the John Paul Jones Arena at
UVA sold a GH 8 gauge I think it was at a Rock Island or
morphy’s auction a few years ago that had corroded and split the stock . Looked to be an easy enough fix if they got the majority of the lead out . If it were mine after they got the wood crack fixed I’d have replaces the lead with a brass rod .

[Scott Gentry]

Well got it out but wasn’t easy, apparently they drilled two angled holes in one forming a slight Y hole. Drilled out as much as possible but had to take remainder out a little at a time. To boot it had a little tab on end.

Ironically the gun now is balanced precisely on hinge pin,

[joe tilford]

That is beautiful.

[Bob Brown]

Beautiful C's. The advice on the lead was educational. I've got a VHE 20 30" 2 7/8" with a straight grip that has a lead filled hole drilled under the trigger guard and angled towards the butt that has oxidization. I better pull that one out and check it. Thanks.