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How to properly brown a barrel

bambihunter
I've done touch-up jobs on browned barrels and parts a few times, but never the whole thing. What I'm working on is a 32" muzzleloader barrel and that is too large to fit in the oven and I think I'd have a hard time keeping the barrel heated evenly by propane torch method...
Anyway, does anyone have any easy ways to do this? Homebrews? Product Suggestions? Etc?
I'm not looking for show-quality (or I'd have it done), just want it to look reasonable good and protect it in the corrosive black powder enviroment.
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Comments

7 comments

Date Votes
  • manderson
    BambiHunter: I know positively nothing about this, except to offer what I found searching the web:

    http://members.aol.com/illinewek/faqs/browning.htm
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  • manderson
    Here's another one:

    http://www.americanlongrifles.com/WorkShop_Barrel_Browning.htm

    Surprisingly hard to find much on the internet about this.

    Like I said, I know nothing. Just thought I'd try to be as helpful as you have already been to so many on this forum.
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  • bambihunter
    Thanks manderson... I searched the web, but used the words browning and barrel and as you can guess I came up with every browning ever sold. [:I]
    Wow, I had no idea that they were originally "rusted" to give them that nice brown patina. I did figure out what I used last time, Birchwood/Casey Plum Brown and it sure didn't match the color I had, but if I can do the whole barrel at once it might look ok.

    Hey, since when was I helpful to anyone on this forum? [;)]
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  • woodsrunner
    Got any friends that work in a pizza shop?

    Woods

    Hamlin.gif
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  • BlueTic
    I used the new Blue Wonder stuff on an old stevens single - I did not use as many coats for a deep blue and was going to go back the next day and add a few more coats. It rusted up even though I oiled the parts and I had to wipe that off for a couple days. In the end I left it - because it came out an almost perfect light brown. Whats your Email and I'll send you a pic.......

    IF YOU DON'T LIKE MY RIGHTS - GET OUT OF MY COUNTRY (this includes politicians)
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  • rhmc24
    I have browned many barrels. Simplest and best is made by Laurel Valley Forge. Just rub it on. Wait a few hours and steel wool. A second or more applications if you want it darker. It does not require perfect degreasing either. Brownell's has it. Or send me your email address and I will look up the maker and you can order direct. rhmc24@swbell.net
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  • mazo kid
    It is hard to get the barrel uniformly hot, but I have found that if you can get the breechplug out, hang the barrel by an underbarrel lug, etc, and use your propane torch to heat the barrel from the breech end up through the bore (like a chimney). The barrel will heat up very fast and be uniformly hot. Good luck. Emery

    "Well done is better than well said"
    Ben Franklin
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