Boiling a barrel, another question

[billd]

I didn't want to hijack Rich's thread.   Maybe a stupid question but here it goes.  When you boil the barrel it has to be plugged, correct?  Will the heat expand the air in the barrel and blow the plug out?


Bill

[David Rase]

Bill,
I have boiled quite a few barrels over the years and have never had a plug come out.  I have tooth picked the vent when it was present and drove in a tapered wooden plug in the muzzle.  I then used a coat of epoxy around the outer diameter of the tooth pick or plug to seal it.  Never had a problem.
DMR

[keweenaw]

There is no need to plug a barrel what so ever.  When you take it out of the tank, pour out the water and wipe immediately.  The whole thing dries instantly inside and out.  Any discoloration in the barrel with come off with about two swipes of some JB on a tight patch. I've done dozens this way, rifles and shotguns with no rusting of the bore.

 If you plug the plugs need to be perfectly sealed or you can get some water in the bore that will stay in there for the entire rusting/boiling routine. 

Tom

[T*O*F]

There is no need to plug a barrel what so ever.

Tom is correct.  The only time that barrels need to be plugged is if you are using a multi-tank system which incorporates any caustic chemicals.

However, the plugs do form convenient handles so you never have to actually touch the metal with your hands during the process.