Fixed choke modification

[CheeseBurger]

I have a beater Springfield/Savage 67 12 gauge with a fixed full choke that I would like to get a smith to modify to something a bit more open. The idea is to be able to loan it out as a possible waterfowl gun, so shooting steel and also use it for clays. Feasible? What would be a ballpark cost for a 'smith to do the work?

[CheeseBurger]

Anyone?

[wwbirds]

If the smith has done a lot of them he probably already has the proper equipment to make it larger. I went from full choke to IC in a 10 gauge and it was $85. If he would not have already had the right size to ream it out he told me it would have been $50 more. With so many cheap multi choke guns available for $600 I am not sure I would put $135. into a $200? shotgun.
Browning BPS will last a lifetime and is bottom eject.

[CheeseBurger]

Fair point about it not necessarily being cost effective. Not sure what to really do with it though if I don't. I picked it up as a project and it points pretty well, it would just be nice if it wasn't full choke. It's the same one I did the stock repair on so it's not worth a lot.

[CheeseBurger]

After seeing that Ft. Mac bear video, maybe I should chop the barrel and use it as a backpack shotgun....

[32-40win]

I would expect you should be able to get info from a local store with an in house gunsmith, such as CSC or TSE. Maybe give Calgary Trap & Skeet in Dewinton a visit or Silver Willow. If you are going to go to the trouble of redoing the choke, you could likely have it done for threaded chokes for not a lot more.

[wwbirds]

were $400 +

[32-40win]

Sounds like they flat out did not want to do them at that price. I would suspect it can be done cheaper than that, even with sending it to the US to be done. May be worth a couple of calls to some stores back East, to see who can be recommended. Or a post on Gunnutz in the gunsmithing or shotgun section.

[wwbirds]

But even at $229 for single barrel by the time you send it to Brileys (the best) you have ton of money into a "beater"
http://www.briley.com/chokeinstallationpricing.aspx

[rugatika]

Chop it and see how it patterns.

[CheeseBurger]

Certainly mulling over chopping the barrel to 18.5 or 20.

[32-40win]

Could try this guy, likely worth a call, I would think he'll either do it himself or knows who will;

http://www.prairieclassicguns.com/contact.htm

[unclebuck]

I had Dave Henry at Bentley open the full chokes on both my 12 & 20 ga. guns. Both pattern like a dam with all sizes of shot out to 50 yds.

[Scotty454]

On a somewhat related note- what about modifying a fixed (Full) choke barrel to accept interchangeable chokes? I'm a machinist, so the actual boring/threading wouldn't be a problem; I'm just curious if it's a viable option.

Edit: After actually READING the replies before mine, it looks like it would be. Maybe I'll look into this- buy a set of chokes, and just machine the barrel to match.

[troyfitt]

Les Myers in Calgary does them his # 403-650-1923

[catnthehat]

Yup no problem at all you just need to cut the barrel until you get enough wall to cut the proper thread for the choke you want yo use.
Cat

[Scotty454]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

Yup no problem at all you just need to cut the barrel until you get enough wall to cut the proper thread for the choke you want yo use.
Cat

Hm... So I would end up with a shorter barrel in the end regardless. What would be sufficient wall thickness? Without another barrel to compare, I would just be speculating, unless there's a generally accepted minimum.

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by Scotty454

Hm... So I would end up with a shorter barrel in the end regardless. What would be sufficient wall thickness? Without another barrel to compare, I would just be speculating, unless there's a generally accepted minimum.

I think you can find the specs needed with the reamers when you buy them.
Thin wall chokes would not need as much meat on the barrel and an extended choke would make up for the inch or two of lost length
Cat

[Scotty454]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

I think you can find the specs needed with the reamers when you buy them.
Cat

Reamers huh...

(Pretty new to any/all of this)