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Gunsmithing Threading a shotgun barrel for choke tubes with a lathe.?

BenY 2013

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 23, 2012
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SW Arkansas
So I am not finding much about threading shogun barrels on a lathe. Most of what I am finding is using the reamer and the tap. I'd like to save $275 and use my lathe instead. How hard is it to do? I am considering a HD shotgun and want the possibly to put chokes in it so I can use it for other things as well. Thanks guys!

Ben
 
I've backbored and done choke tubes by hand and on a lathe. Its fairly straight forward and far more forgiving then rifle work. The Kuhnhausen book has a few set ups towards the rear THE REMINGTON 870 & M1100/M11-87 SHOTGUNS - A SHOP MANUAL | Brownells

You can drive the barrel or the reamer and he shows set ups for both.

On an HD gun barrel, like an 18" 870, I chuck it up against the barrel lug with a steady rest towards the muzzle. The reamer goes quick. The tap I do in a vise. Rem and Win chokes use the same taps, different reamers.

FYI, I don't single point, I use the reamer and taps. You can always rent them fairly cheap and knock out a bunch of barrels. Seems like the right tool for the job. They are piloted, and depending on how the barrel is choked, you may need to remove the fixed choke prior to running them.
 
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Sounds simple enough! I was just wondering why more people didn't do it this way, like if it was too hard or something. But unless I find otherwise I'll plan on doing it on the lathe.

Ben