Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing Question on shotgun barrel bulge

A friend showed me his 870 Remington barrel. It has a slight bulge at the muzzle and the choke tube has a hairline crack. The choke tube won't come out with normal torque at least. He thought that happened while shooting 3.5" loads goose hunting. Does that happen often, and is there a remedy, or is it time for a new barrel? Thanks in advance. Marty

Cut back the barrel to the next post on the rib. Recrown, rethread for tubes. 3.5 inch loads can exert extreme pressure/wear on parts. I had an 1187 come through the shop with the bolt cracked in half. Remington blamed "Black Cloud" loads. For what it's worth, steel shot is hard on tubes and generally does not pattern much tighter from Full choke tubes than it does from Improved Cylinder tubes. Firing steel from a Full Choke is a prescription for the problem you describe.

Clemson

call remington ask for a repair invoice you may get a new barrel

So is a plain old fashioned barrel obstruction, i.e., water, mud, snow... Choke tubes, being a little harder than the barrel, don't stretch well, so anything that puts stress on the tube is likely to crack it. Most folks around these parts prefer a much more open choke for steel shot. Something on the lines of IC or Cyl.

Clemsons correct, cut the barrel back to the next rib post and either have tubes reinstalled, or, take it out and try it wide open with your steel shot.

Thanks for the replies. Do you think there is a saftey issue with shooting it the way it is for now? (with the choke tube still in) It shoots fine, seems to pattern well. Marty

If the choke tube is cracked, I wouldn't.