Bobwhite Ramble

[frogwalking]

I recently blught a new 20 ga. Bopbwhite.  I know that one is not going to get a top-line product at this price, but it is nice, light, points well and so far, seems to shoot fine. 

The chokes delivered with the gun are full, improved modified, modified (2) and improved cylinder.  I ordered another full and a true cylinder.  The wrench is pretty sorry looking.

Now to regress:  Old English doubles were rust blued because the hot blue salts eat away the lead solder they used to join the barrels. (Or so I was told.)  I have built a number of muzzle loaders and finished the barrels with rust blue.  It worked great.  When one oiled the barrel for a time afterwards, the patch would come away with some black on it.  I am told the Bobwhite is black chromed.  If this is so, why does my greasy patch come away from the barrels with black on it?  If I didn't know better, I would think they were rust blued.  (That's ok too, maybe better.)

What is black chrome anyway?  Isn't chrome shiney and silver? If I scratch the black off, will they be shiney silver underneath? 

My wife says I think too much.

Frog

[bozwell]

Black chrome is a chrome plating where the chromium has been chemically altered.  The result is a black finish that maintains the high gloss of chrome.  My guess is your patch is coming away black because of dirt on the barrels.  If you scratch it off, you will have steel underneath, but you won't have a shiny layer of chrome.  At least in my experience with these Huglu imports, an oily patch has no affect on the finish of the barrels other than to apply oil.  If your finish is actually wiping off due to an oily patch, which I don't suspect it is, you may have an issue with the finish on your gun.

The chokes that come with these guns are pretty minimalist but often times sufficient.  They aren't going to look fancy, but the important thing is to see how they pattern.  If they pattern well and you don't need that "fancy" extended choke look, then stick with them.  If you aren't happy with the pattern, it's time to go shopping!