Muzzle Filing

If I want to move the pattern UP do I slightly file the top or bottom of the muzzle?

First I would check to see if it is square in the first place....

I haven't done it but this is what I found.

The barrel will shoot towards the side where one files the muzzle. The wad is being pushed onto that direction as the pressure is lower on that side.

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Also bending seems to be the preferred option.

The bottom half.

B.

Now that's contrary to what I posted... :hmm: :idunno:
I yield to anyone who has actually done it....

It is steered in the direction of more drag.... and not much extra drag is needed!
.030" may all that is needed.

With thick walled barrels relieving the crown or beveled edge more on one side will have a similar effect.

The last gun I did was my Artax Manton, last spring.

B.

I bend my fowlers barrels when needed, so have never resorted to the file method. I recall that the file method is the standard practice to regulate side-by-shotguns.

But to move the round ”˜up’, I too was always taught to file off the ”˜bottom’, as that causes the gad to exit there first, adding a little push upwards.

When you think about it, given the example above, the extra metal now on the top of the barrel could now be considered as ”˜drag’.

I would file rather than bend myself :hmm:

azmntman said:

I would file rather than bend myself :hmm:

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Why? Bending is so easy!

With thick walled barrels relieving the crown or beveled edge more on one side will have a similar effect.

Click to expand...

I wondered about that....

I have bent them too but it irritates me if I can see a bend.
Sometimes a combination is used but on doubles bending is problematic.

B.

If its straight to begin with bending, imo, would make it less somehow? Filing seems as easy or easier (though I have never done either) :idunno:

I filed a pedersoli 12 ga last spring and it was so easy and worked so well I was amazed. Just take it easy and file a small amount at a time. Worked great.

gonpce said:

I filed a pedersoli 12 ga last spring and it was so easy and worked so well I was amazed. Just take it easy and file a small amount at a time. Worked great.

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:v :hatsoff:

So for those who have done it,I file the BOTTOM of the bore to raise the pattern?

I'm still confused too....anyone have a diagram?

This is interesting news to me as I have never heard of filing a muzzle out of square to manipulate sighting. In gun smith training I was taught to keep the muzzle square and bend the barrel if necessary.
I have a shot gun with a cropped barrel I will need to try this with and note how it effects both patterning and sighting. I can see how it would be practical with a double barrel but usually the answer there is to pull barrels apart, wedge regulate and re-solder.
Great Post, always something new to be learned!

I’m not sure that filing would move a round ball as it does shot patterns.

I have always heard to move a round balls impact point you needed to bend the barrel.

I haven’t tried either one .... yet!

What about raising the comb? That will make it shoot higher.

Do you only file the bevel on the INSIDE, leaving the outside of the barrel(s) square with the bore?
If so, at approximately what angle of bevel seems to work best, or is it that critical?

No good way to raise the comb without adding something to the top of the stock that would look out of place on a muzzleloader.