When to draw file?

[Rt5403]

I am starting my Chambers New England Fowler kit and I was wondering should I draw file the barrel flats before inletting? Also should I leave the breech plug in for this?

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

I'd drawfile the barrel prior to inletting so that you get a tight fit in the barrel channel.  And remove the plug first so you don't hit the edges of the plug's tang when you do the angle flats.  Inlet the barrel without the tang too, then once the barrel is seated, re-install the plug, dress it down to the barrel, and inlet it.  While the plug is out, you can file a decorative end on the tang if you wish...at least, that's my process.

[Rt5403]

Thank you. That was very helpful.

[flehto]

My bbls are draw filed just before browning......they're inletted  as I receive them. The untouched bbl and blank are sent out for bbl inletting and the RR work. The Rice bbls I use don't require a whole lot of steel removal and after browning, the fit w/ the inlet is slightly snug. Some brands of bbls have a rougher finish and require a lot more steel removal....I don't use those bbls. 

When draw filing, not all the "marks" are filed out....the shallow lines disappear after browning is completed.....Fred 

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Fred, I used to brown my barrels that way.  I'd draw file, and at most use 180 grit abrasive cloth, then degrease and brown, leaving a matt finish with no carding.  Recently, I've polished the barrels lengthwise are far as 320 or 400 grit, carded heavily after each application, and ended up with a very smooth, polished deep brown with more red tones, deep in the steel rather than on the surface.

[flehto]

You end up w/ a smooth  finish that's brown in lieu of blue?....Fred

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Yes -  the finish is polished and brown but watery and thin looking, rather than matt and opaque.  To blue, boil 20 minutes in distilled water.

[elkhorne]

Taylor,
On your new technique, what do you care with between browning applications? Thanks.
elkhorn

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

I rub the barrel down hard with 0000steel wool, if a rifle barrel, and if a pistol, I use my Brownell's soft carding wheel at slow speed in my drill press.