Bore diameter of 525?

[Waterengineer]

I am considering overboring the tubes about 0.075" on a 30-inch 525.

Before making the decision is am trying to trackdown the diameter of the original cut - can't find it on the website.

Yes, I know, I could mike it but I don't have a mike.

Does anyone know what diameter Browning cuts these bores at?

 

[BigJimP]

I don't remember ( and I sold my 525 a few yrs ago, so I can't check it ..).

But what are you trying to accomplish / vs. the way the stock gun is now ?

The 525 I bought new / was mfg in 2002 ?? - but I think they were all 'back bored' at the factory ...

 

[oneounceload]

They came overbored to begin with. (Funny how a Googe search has this thread as the third entry). I THINK....(and that's dangerous), that they came .740. I wish I could be more certain. You going for the Kolar effect?

 

[Waterengineer]

Kolar effect? Yup.

Whatever it costs its cheaper than a Kolar. The Kolar may well have been the softest shooting "straight tube" gun I ever shot. Granted I'd be giving up slightly more than a pound by toying around the my 525. Of course I am tempted to try this with the XS, which would be toying with a much more valuable gun.....so.....I'll try it with the 525 (first.)

I think the real cost will be in new chokes after the reaming.........

The Kolar was a rather portly 9+ lbs, by the way.

I'm also interested in the shot string effect. I kind of doubt that will be noticeable.

I found that thread too but was thinking it is only the last couple of years before the intro of the 625.

I will check that and get back to everyone.

 

[BigJimP]

Its your gun - and you can certainly do whatever you want ....

but adding a Gra Coil to the 525 / or to an XS Skeet - would be a "softer shooting" solution for either gun. Maybe lengthening the forcing cones just a hair ... but I sure wouldn't open it up as you get into the screw in choke area. Remember that 9 lb weight / might be a big reason it felt so much softer too ...

If you don't like the Gra Coil - there is always the JS Air Cushion stocks, etc - and Zippy is real pleased with his "air stocks" - although I don't recall who did the work for him ...

 

[oneounceload]

One of my snowbird shooting friends uses a Kolar.....it is heavy, but if you like the way it balances.......he has the regular 12 barrel and sub gauge tubes as opposed to using the carrier barrel. He adds a weight to the 12 barrel to get equal weight. Might want to try that and 2-3/4 DE 7/8 oz loads......

 

[Jeremiah/Az]

The 525 was bored to .740. If you bore it out .075 more you will be at .815. There was a guy,I think his name was Stan Baker, who sold barrels years ago that were .800 & they did not work well. They were getting blowby the wads as the wad can not expand that much.

 

[Waterengineer]

Confirmed. The barrel dia. is indeed 0.740, or very, very close according to the mike at the local GM last night. I won't overbore given this fact. Hey, I never said every idea I have is a good idea. Thanks everyone for the info.

 

[oneounceload]

Add some weight if you're trying to reduce recoil - a barrel weight and an equal one in the buttstock - you could add over a pound that way. Add in soft reloads and you might need to get your triggers changed to mechanical because they'll be so soft they won't reset......

 

[Waterengineer]

Yup.

I was just tryin' to think of a project that is not too expensive......being unemployed and all..........

I mean, really, when was the last time you saw anything being built.....?

Yes, I know, off topic.

 

[BigJimP]

A project is always a good thing...

think about picking up some used pump guns / cleaning, reconditioning them, strip off finish on stock (sand or fill the nicks ) and refinish them ..... ( if you could pick up a beat up Browning BPS for under $ 200 / clean them up, sell them for $ 350 probably .... old model 12's, 870 Wingmasters would qualify as well ......

Same thing on Rem 1100's ......

Pawn shops - seem to have piles of them in inventory.
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How about holding a "reloading seminar" at your local gun club or gun range - on shotshells or metallic. It won't make you much money / but it'll be fun. There is a big demand for knowledge on metallic reloading right now ... and guys can't be troubled to read and understand the differences in presses, etc ...
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[oneounceload]

weights will be inexpensive - as easy as lead tape under the forend and an empty 28 gauge shell filled with shot in the butt - to the fancier barrel weight and the buttstock device Blaser uses.

Me, I'm a big fan of shooting those 1oz loads at 1145fps in my GTI - works well

 

[Waterengineer]

What I use to add weight is lead roof flashing purchased at Lowes or Home Depot, super cheap too. Worked wonders on the butt and forestocks of the Super Sport.

 

[oneounceload]

Yup - that's works well also - how heavy are you trying to make it? I shot a friend's Kolar - SOFT is not the word, but I felt like I needed to hit the weight room to swing it on fast targets - his gun was pushing over 9-1/2#, almost 10.

That's a tad much for me, which is why I like the Gun Clubs I found at Dick's - 1 oz at 1180 and 1-1/8 at 1145.........eeeeeeeaaaaaasssssssyyyyyy on my shoulder - I don't have that bionic stuff that BigJim has

 

[BigJimP]

Lead flashing / or lead tape you can buy at a golf shop works ...

I've been sucessful adding about 8 oz under the forend / about 8 oz inside the stock ( to bring the 20, 28ga and .410 ) up to about 8 1/2 lbs.

I've got pretty long arms / but even with 30" barrels - much of anything over 8 1/2 lbs gets a little too heavy / unless you're looking for a Trap gun ( then I like them up around 10 lbs )..

But good news: Shoulder rebuild was 7/15 ... yesterday, I was able to handle my 12ga O/U yesterday / with my reloads 1 oz, 1225 fps for 5 rounds of Skeet ....a little soreness in the bicep today / but not bad ...( my scores sucked, a 20 avg ....but who cares)... its good to get out and shoot. On my handguns, I'm back to shooting a 1911 in .45 acp / a model 27 S&W 6" barrel in full blown .357 mag reloads ....(and my groups are acceptable ..).

 

[oneounceload]

Good for you Jim - just don't overdo it and rush too quickly - it'll get there

Save your shoulder - have all them grandkids reload your ammo