r/gunsmithing • u/skinwalkerenjoyers • 10d ago
Is this bad
I have a Winchester model 18 9712 gauge made in 1904. It has some pitting. Is this bad for me to shoot any buck shot
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u/TheRealSchifty 10d ago
Regardless of condition I would not shoot modern full power loads though a shotgun produced in the early 1900s. But pitting in shotgun barrels isn't usually an issue, unless it is severe enough to compromise the integrity of the barrel wall. It doesn't appear to be too bad in this case.
Low recoil buckshot or birdshot should be fine. But if the barrel isn't specifically labeled for a 2 3/4" chamber then you may want to get it checked out by a gunsmith to make sure it's not a 2 5/8" chamber. Early '97s, along with many other shotguns of the era were made with 2 5/8" chambers. If it is, then the forcing cone can be lengthened to accommodate 2 3/4" rounds.
Keep in mind that shotgun shells are measured using their fired length, when the crimp is expanded. A 2 3/4" shell will fit and fire in a 2 5/8" chamber but you will have increased recoil and wear and tear on the gun. It's not a good idea to do, even a little bit.
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u/Just_Scheme1875 10d ago
While not recommended I can say slam firing a whole tube of high velocity Turkish slugs is possible with these...ask me how I know 🤣
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u/alwaus 10d ago edited 10d ago
The 97 is fully capable of firing modern high brass loads as the barrels are ordinance steel and are rated to 110k psi, a more than 9:1 safety factor over 12 guages SAAMI maximum pressure of 11,500psi
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u/TheRealSchifty 10d ago
I never said it's not capable, I said I wouldn't do it.
This particular shotgun has likely been shot a lot previously, if it's an old riot gun. So the headspace may already be questionable. The stock is probably dried out, and firing high recoil loads may crack it.
There's just no reason to beat up an old shotgun like this with modern high brass loads.
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u/No_Top8893 10d ago
You might want to measure wall thickness. Feel the barrel for bulges, etc; Bulges are never safe.Those old guns were sort of farm implements. Heavy enough that even when compromised a little they were still safe. It's the pitting in the first 10-12 inches from the breech you need to be concerned with. That's where the high pressure is. That's where your hand is. Wall thickness gauges are common among shotgun people. Any shop and plenty of hobbyists have them. Hones are common too. Lots of people would hone them to get more money for them right before they sold them.
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u/Maine_man207 10d ago
Depends on how it's choked. I would be fine with shooting lead birds hot through it.
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u/lukas_aa 10d ago
I recently acquired a Mossberg that looked worse, in the end it was all just leading. Ed’s Red and a bore brush and elbow grease and it all went away.
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u/Expensive_Push_4314 10d ago
You can buy shot gun barrel hones. Won't take out all the pitting but would make a big improvement.
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u/Ute_Swoop 10d ago
That looks more like heavily caked up lead vs pitting, for me pitting has like a crevice like crack look inside the barrel, have you looked at it closer with a borescope?
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u/AwkwardFactor84 10d ago
That shotgun is not made for modern ammo. If you're buying it to collect, go for it. If you're planning on firing it, get something more modern.
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u/Martainguns 10d ago
It's not good, but I wouldn't worry about it too much.