holes in chamber

[thibaultfelix40]

I have a 12 ga handy rifle with 2 holes drilled through the chamber walls. Bubba tapped them for a peep sight. They either 6x48 or 8x36. Was Bubba crazy. He wrote this e mail. It hasn't blown up...... yet.

 

[taylorce1]

Sounds like it is time for a new barrel. Can't fix it but it can be replaced, just go to H&R's web site click on customer service and then barrel replacement program. If you are near "Bubba" go beat him!

 

[Slamfire]

Bubba is probably right, has not blown up yet. But that is not a good recommendation.

Shotguns are low pressure compared to centerfire rifles, but here is an example of what happens to a centerfire rifle when the gunsmith taps a hole too deep.

This was to be a faux Marine Sniper rifle. The gunsmith drilled and tapped the receiver but went far too deep.

As the shooter shot this rifle whatever little bit of steel was left at the bottom of the hole was forced out.

You can see the progression on the cartridge cases. Eventually the sidewall blew.

Since your holes are right over the chamber, maybe they could hold for a 12 GA, maybe not. I think it is just better not to try to find out.

I would recommend not to shoot the thing and replace the barrel.

 

[Ozzieman]

Slamfire You couldn’t have drilled a cleaner hole in the case.
I guess that gun is now a wall hangar not a shooter.

 

[Scorch]

You can have the chamber lined. Not a huge problem.

 

[Art Eatman]

I'm not arguing against replacing the barrel, but there are some odds to be considered. I say this because of my startlement at how deep the holes were drilled into the barrel for the rear sight of an old Krag rifle I once had. Not much metal left where the pressure was still way above any shotgun pressure.

So, odds are that the screws which hold the sight in place provide enough strength against any Bad Event.

 

[zfk55]

That's what a "blind screw" mount is, Art. We do that on some firearms in the machine shop. The holes are drilled and tapped to a % point, for us its usually leaving 25% of the metal. The screw length is determined by the thickness of the mount plus the depth of the tapped hole.

Latigo