A question for the fellow machinists out there.

[JonD.]

Has any body ever tried to bore and thread a fixed shotgun barrel such as an 1100 remington for a screw in choke? I have pondered this thought much and see no reason why it can't be done. What do you guys think?

I already have a barrel, and access to a lathe-- I'm thinking of trying this.

[gunnut69]

That's a very complex shape and while it's possible it's well beyond capability. The pros use special tooling for uniformity's sake.. Not a bad idea but the cost is high for a limited number of jobs..

[JonD.]

The way I was thinking of doing it was using a three jaw chuck and turn the vent rib in between two jaws and indicate the face and the bore ID in. Then bore and thread it. I'm only going to do this one barrel.

[trotterlg]

This is how I would do it:  If you have the bed length, chuck the breach end and make a collar to go over the muzzel with a notch for the vent rib.  lock the collar to the muzzel could use a brass set screw?  Now put a center in the tail stock and center the muzzel, with the muzzel in the center turn the collar round and polish it up for your steady rest to run on.  Now you have the muzzel exactly centered and can bore and thread it.  Below is a picture of a collar I used to bore an offset stub for a RF handi barrel, same sort of Idea.  Larry

[Nobade]

Keep in mind that most screw in choke tubes have a double start thread. You've got to somehow cut one start to the proper depth then do the other one. It's not easy to go back and cut the first one more if you don't hit it right the first time. The correct way to do this is just break down and buy the proper tools - reamer, and tap with pilot that fits and just do it right. They cost some money, but if they keep you from ruining one barrel they've payed for themselves.

[JonD.]

Nice job Larry, I like that.

Nobade, where can a guy get these reamers and taps?

Thanks a lot guys.

[Nobade]

Mine came from the Tru-Choke company, and work only with their choke tube system. I also have some made by Clymer. I would imagine the other tooling makers (Dave Manson, PTG) make them for whichever style choke tubes you want to use.

[trotterlg]

There are a bunch of choke reamers on ebay right now, do a search for Choke Reamer and you will find a half dozen.  Larry

[JonD.]

Thanks Larry

[STUMPJMPR]

A barrel cost 200+....The tooling would probably cost you in the neighborhood of 150 new....I saw someone advertising to do it for $85....I like to do things myself but sometimes your better off just paying someone....

[coyotejoe]

Brownells has the reamers and taps but for one barrel it is no way worth buying the tools, lots of guys specialize in such work and you can get it done for under one hundred bucks including one tube.

[Antietamgw]

These folks are supposed to have them available to rent.

www.4-dproducts.com

Good luck!