I recently came across a CVA double barrel muzzleloading shotgun kit that I bought back in the 70's. It's well preserved so I decided to go ahead with putting it together. Back in that time frame I built some other CVA kits, including a Hawken rifle and pistol and a Kentucky rifle and pistol.
I used the Birchwood Casey hot browning solution to finish the barrels on those kits and they are still just as good as new, so I'm leaning toward doing the same thing with the shotgun barrels. However, I'm concerned about whether the heating process might damage the barrels; I don't know how they are attached to the center rib and whether they come apart, or perhaps getting one side too hot compared with the other will cause twisting or bending.
I plan on using a plumber's propane torch to heat the metal, the same way that I did the rifle barrels 30 years ago. That was pretty simple and quite successful; I had good control over the rate of heating and the top temperature. I believe I can repeat that with the shotgun barrels, but I'm not sure it will be good enough.
Has anyone done this, and what should I be concerned about?
I have another option: I purchased a cold browning solution from Midway: Laurel Mountain Barrel Brown and Degreaser, which I've never used. The instructions seem simple enough, and I like the fact that heat is not required. I this case I'm concerned about whether I can get a good even finish like the one I got with the Birchwood Casey hot method.
Again, does anyone have any experience with this method?
Has anyone tried both, and which would you recommend?
I used the Birchwood Casey hot browning solution to finish the barrels on those kits and they are still just as good as new, so I'm leaning toward doing the same thing with the shotgun barrels. However, I'm concerned about whether the heating process might damage the barrels; I don't know how they are attached to the center rib and whether they come apart, or perhaps getting one side too hot compared with the other will cause twisting or bending.
I plan on using a plumber's propane torch to heat the metal, the same way that I did the rifle barrels 30 years ago. That was pretty simple and quite successful; I had good control over the rate of heating and the top temperature. I believe I can repeat that with the shotgun barrels, but I'm not sure it will be good enough.
Has anyone done this, and what should I be concerned about?
I have another option: I purchased a cold browning solution from Midway: Laurel Mountain Barrel Brown and Degreaser, which I've never used. The instructions seem simple enough, and I like the fact that heat is not required. I this case I'm concerned about whether I can get a good even finish like the one I got with the Birchwood Casey hot method.
Again, does anyone have any experience with this method?
Has anyone tried both, and which would you recommend?
