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Can a fixed shotgun barrel be made to accept choke tubes?

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26K views 12 replies 4 participants last post by  wildman  
W
#1 ·
One more question. Can a fixed smoothbore Winchester 120 Ranger 12ga deer slug barrel be tapped on the end to accept choke tubes? If so, could it be tapped to accept chokes other than the Winchoke system. For example, could it be tapped to accept Browning chokes or Remington chokes instead. Would be nice to use same barrel for deer and turkey- being able to use rifled choke or xfull choke would be great. If possible, is this a very difficult thing to have done? Also, what would a reputable gunsmith charge for this service? Anyone had good results with a particular gunsmith or have recommendations for a good gunsmith? Thanks. :D
 
W
#4 ·
WHAT KIND OF CHOKES???

Anyone had this done by Briley? I called them and was a little confused. They offer two packages(one is they ream and thread the barrel, the other package is ream, thread, and throw in 3 choke tubes for a little more). I get the drift that once this is done, the only chokes that my barrel will accept will be Briley brand choke tubes, as this is their own choke system. Am I correct? If so, I guess you would call this the Brileychoke, and not Winchoke? If the barrel will only accept Briley choke, then why would someone only have them to ream and thread the barrel? Would you be able to find the Brileychoke tubes cheaper elsewhere after having the barrel job done? I want this barrel for deer, turkey, home protection, but do not want to lose my shirt in the process. Thanks.
 
D
#5 ·
There are other 'smiths that will install Winchokes or whatever brand you like. I didn't know that Briley only installed their own tubes (which are very good but expensive). You might try Ballistic Specialties:
http://www.angleport.com/default.asp?C=35910
There are others as well. Maybe Ted Yost can help you or recommend a 'smith that can.
 
K
#8 ·
Briley

Briley does it the way they do so you can use the Briley thinwalls you already own or get three of them when you have the service done. The reason Briley uses their own choke design is that they are thinwall chokes, they keep you from having the barrell reamed out to be too thin. I have not personally had this serivce done, but I have shot with over a dozen other people who have had this done to many guns. All of them have been happy with the work.

I would suggest looking into a second barrel with screw in chokes for your shotgun. It would cost near the same and your problems would be solved. You would also be able to have two different length barrels.
 
G
#9 ·
Briley's work is excellent, and their choke tubes are among the best, IMO. They're not the cheapest game in town, though and they shouldn't be. On a less expensive gun, you probably wouldn't want to spend Briley money. I ream and tap for both Rem-choke and thinwall tubes. The deciding factor of which one is used depends on the barrel wall thickness and bore diameter of your barrel, as they vary greatly. As for cost of tubes, quality choke tubes are available for just under $20 each, and should serve you well.
 
W
#10 ·
DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ON THE REAR SIGHT RAMP??

This is a factory model 120 deer slug barrel with factory sights. Only one thing, the rear sight ramp is missing. I've been told that the models 120 and 1200 use the 3C elevator ramp just like some model 94 rifles. I'm not sure what this means, but would you happen to know if this is the same ramp that winchester currently uses on the rear sight of its model 1300 shotgun? I am looking to repair/update this sight. I guess that I always pick up the oddball stuff. I believe that I have found a local gunsmith that is experienced with converting fixed barrels to choke tube barrels. He's going to have to put a dial caliper on the barrel to determine which style of choke tubes to thread for. Oh well, any sight info will be greatly appreciated. Thanks for all the information.
 
W
#12 ·
SIGHTS INTERCHANGEABLE?

If I chose to upgrade and not repair the old sight system, would it be difficult to do. For example, I looked under www.truglo.com to see what sights were offered. They offer one sight package for the mod 94 rifles. They offer another package for the 1300 slug guns. I just wonder if either one of these would interchange with the 120 barrel with no modifications. Maybe this is something I should contact them for. I'm looking to see which system would cross reference with mine, if I chose to completely change the front and rear sights. I would really like to have windage and elevation adjustments on the rear, plus the fiber optics would be easier to see in low light. Thanks.
 
W
#13 ·
Winchester Serial Number 382,500?

On most of the sight parts that I have looked at, they refer to models 120, 1200, and 1300 in the serial range of 382,500 or greater. What's the difference in a shotgun serial numbered less than 382,500 and one with a higher serial number? Does this serial number notate when they actually started making the 120, 1200, and 1300 models, or did they make these models before this number with some kind of change to the sights or gun? If I knew that all the factory sights were the same on factory deer slug barrels for the 120, 1200, and 1300, I would pretty much be able to determine what to order. This would mean that any aftermarket sights made specifically for the current 1300 deer barrel would also interchange with the 120 deer barrel with no modifications.
 
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