Breech Fouling Scraper

[Jappo]

Looking for info on a double barrel shotgun. I put a bore scope in my barrels and noticed a lot of crud in the breech area. As it looks like removing the plugs is out of the question, I'm thinking of using a breech fouling scraper. But I'm not sure what size to order. My bores average out to .675. I think they are cylinder bore and not choked.
Maybe even scraping the sides.
Any help appreciated.

 

[waksupi]

That's a pretty nasty mess. I think I would opt for a worm with tow. For a jag, you can most likely find a .69 size, and file it down in a drill press, and recut the grooves. How old is this gun?

 

[Jappo]

That's a pretty nasty mess. I think I would opt for a worm with tow. For a jag, you can most likely find a .69 size, and file it down in a drill press, and recut the grooves. How old is this gun?

Not sure how old it is. Pre-breech loading I'm sure. It has fancy scrolling all over the barrel. And what looks like brass inletting or inlays.
I have some steel mesh and a brass rod. I chucked it to my drill motor and it cleaned up pretty good.
I'm using a brass brush to finish it up before I lube it.
I'll try to get out sometime this week and proof it. I have plenty cannon fuse.
I run the bore scope and couldn't see any problems in there. Some pitting is all. Nothing looked deep to be serious.

 

[waksupi]

Considering the appearance of the nasty area inside, and the fact it's damascus barrel, I would stand WAY back to test it. I imagine if it was magnafluxed, it would leak like a sieve. I would personally either re-line it, or hang it on the wall to look at. No sense injuring either the gun or yourself. I think the wall hanging idea would be the best for this. The more I look at the pictures, the more it gives me the heebie jeebies! When you say you THINK it's pre-breechloading, that tells me you know little about these and the safety factors.

 

[flconch53]

That's a pretty nasty mess. I think I would opt for a worm with tow. For a jag, you can most likely find a .69 size, and file it down in a drill press, and recut the grooves. How old is this gun?

16ga jags would be for .66 which should do you fine.

 

[Jappo]

Considering the appearance of the nasty area inside, and the fact it's damascus barrel, I would stand WAY back to test it. I imagine if it was magnafluxed, it would leak like a sieve. I would personally either re-line it, or hang it on the wall to look at. No sense injuring either the gun or yourself. I think the wall hanging idea would be the best for this. The more I look at the pictures, the more it gives me the heebie jeebies! When you say you THINK it's pre-breechloading, that tells me you know little about these and the safety factors.

What I meant is that it's older than a breech loader. 1870s ? I have two breech loaders that I use black powder shells. Both are Damascus. I restored both of them. Both were "wall hangers".
I see no reason why this muzzleloader will not hold up. I've shot an old 1861 Springfield converted to shotgun "wallhanger" that was worse than this one.
BTW, I got all the crud out and clean. Lubed and ready to test.

 

[Jappo]

16ga jags would be for .66 which should do you fine.

So its a 16 gauge ? Not that it matters. I have plenty sizes of punches I can make my own wads and cards.
Thanks for the info.

 

[flconch53]

So its a 16 gauge ? Not that it matters. I have plenty sizes of punches I can make my own wads and cards.
Thanks for the info.

I was responding to the statement that you could get a .69 jag and file it down

 

[Jappo]

I was responding to the statement that you could get a .69 jag and file it down

Oh ok, I got some steel mesh from a butcher's glove. It did the job. Its nice and clean now.
Appreciate ya nonetheless.

 

[2 shots]

at least "proof" the barrels out of the stock i case it goes bad.

 

[Jappo]

at least "proof" the barrels out of the stock i case it goes bad.

Yes sir, those are my plans. I have a rig made just for that. My main concern are the nipples. Although they "feel good" I've had them shoot out of a barrel. This was in a repro Sears Zouave and a CVA double.