Rifling cutter for 12 gauge

[dafydd]

Hi, Anyone know where I can buy a rifling cutter (I think they are called a button), to cut rifling in a 12 gauge barrel? Brownell's does not seem to have one in their catalogue. Cheers, Dave

 

[Big Guy]

I don't think they sell them. The old way was to run a cutting blade down a barrel several times and cut each groove one at a time. Very difficult with out proper equipment. Another modern way is cold forging in which the barrel is placed over a mandrel which is rifled. Then hammer forge it onto the mandrel to greate the rifling. Very expensive equiptment to do this. The other way is to force a carbide button down an undersized bore . as the button moves it irons rifling into the metal. This is done with very high hydralic pressures. As you see there is no easy way to rifle a barrel for the home or local gun smith. That is why you buy a barrel from a barrel maker. as they are the only ones who can afford the equipment required. I don't think you will find anyone to rifle a shotgun barrel, you just have to buy a rifled replacement.

 

[sunray]

Most shotgun barrel walls are too thin to add any kind of rifling. If you want a rifled barrel, you're better off just buying one. Expensive though.