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Barrel flaring

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I interested in flaring a shotgun barrel to make a blunderbuss. Has anyone tried this.
I am neither a machinist nore a metallurgist, but depending on the barrel and your method, I think it would be possible. Moving metal to a wider dimension means the metal thickness will have to thin in order to spread.
The plumbers use a flare tool to widen brass tubing. I would consider a similar approach. A red hot barrel is a must! This is an opinion only, never tried it. Go for it, sound fun!
Larry
 
I think a new barrel would be needed. Flaring a shotgun barrel would probably make the end too thin. It most likely would crack at some point.

I thought of that, but if the barrel is not too thin to begin with and the flare is not too great, he might be able to do it. Good point!
Larry
 
I interested in flaring a shotgun barrel to make a blunderbuss. Has anyone tried this.
I once soldered a kerosene funnel onto an old shotgun I'd tried to shoot mud out of... It worked great... Loaded sooooo easy.

So sad that these days I must actually state the above is not true and is NOT recommended. Also do not eat the little silica packets that come with your kit build rifle parts .

P.S Not slamming the idea of making one.. likely just not enough metal in an existing barrel to flare into a noticeable blunderbuss profile. I think they are pretty cool. Just start with barrel from a barrel maker with insurance and be sure to post pictures.
 
If you are starting from scratch , and have no barrel to start with , just go buy a flared barrel . Why do it in backwards logic???
 
So sad that these days I must actually state the above is not true and is NOT recommended. Also do not eat the little silica packets that come with your kit build rifle parts .
Oh, sure! NOW you tell me!
Jay
 

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I have seen a modern 12 gauge choke tube in the shape of a BB. Get one get barrel threaded for it.
Well, there is always this option….
1641231362616.png

Sportsmans Guide used to sell a blunderbuss that a appeared to have a seam in the barrel about where it flared. A little lathe work and you could possibly add a flared muzzle yourself, though I would just buy the proper barrel.
1641244638779.jpeg
 
the traditions blunderbuss kit gun I recently put together is the exact same one as that picture SDSmlf posted

it has an obviously added on barrel flare
once I blued it you can't tell easy
 
FWIW I had an original French model 1728 that someone a couple of centuries ago had cut short and made into a blunderbuss so it can and was done back in the day. Wish I had pictures of it but they were on the old camera SD card that literally fell apart on me.
 
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