what are some signs that a shotgun barrel is worn out? I just picked up an 870 P with a 14.5" barrel and the bore is like a mirror except the last 3/4 of an inch near the muzzle is showing wear. is this something to be worried about?
barrel wear
- Thread starter lil_juiced_coupe
- Start date
have you given it a good cleaning? It may be some fouling in the barrel and you pretty much have cardboard, plastic and soft lead going down the barrel. very little wear happening expecially at such low velocity and pressure. What exactly does it look like?
I wouldnt worry about it. I've never heard of a shotgun barrel being worn out or worn to the point that the pattern was affected.
The bore on my fathers 1100 is like a mirror but thats cause he doesn't shoot much these days. My 870 is not its more matte looking but thats cause I don't clean it. Either way they both shoot and pattern fine. What you need to watch out for is pitting in the barrel. This can lead to trouble but again I've heard of shotgun barrels with minor pitting inside them and they work fine too.
The bore on my fathers 1100 is like a mirror but thats cause he doesn't shoot much these days. My 870 is not its more matte looking but thats cause I don't clean it. Either way they both shoot and pattern fine. What you need to watch out for is pitting in the barrel. This can lead to trouble but again I've heard of shotgun barrels with minor pitting inside them and they work fine too.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
Occasionally you should pattern your gun to make sure nothing has changed. As others have said, what you are observing in the barrel if simply fouling. It might take some scrubbing to resolve if the buildup has been over a long period of time.
- Location
- East ontario
Over 40k of rounds in my marine magnum since 1994. No pitting but have reamed and polished it a few times over the years
