Back Bored Barrels

[Penguin907]

What are the benefits and cons of a back bored barrel for a turkey gun? Also any recommendations for a back bored over under that doesn't cost above a grand?

[Tom007]

Less shot deformation having a slightly larger bore. Less recoil. Provides better, tighter patterns. This is what I have found with back-bored shotguns.

[Bowguy]

Tom if I may?

To clarify to the op. The whole bore is not oversize. The forcing cone is lengthened.
That's the shoulder area by hull crimp. First guy I heard of it was Mark Basner. He said it had also lowered velocity a little in his tests but imo it's usually worth it.
Hmmmm regarding over and unders. This is where lots of guys have issues. Double barreled guns aren't made to shoot laser beams. (Super tight patterns).
Anytime barrels are stacked or set side by side there would be an overlap. Some would be off the other pattern except at 1 set range.
The typical spread makes you not see the barrels don't shoot the same. Still the barrels need to be adjusted. Hence the usually high price tags. Imo trying to get a o/u turkey gun under a grand might be a gamble.
I've see one of the mossbergs (reg model) in 28 shoot ok. I'd still not get it for turkey gun. Idk what it'll do. And remember one, two guns isn't his enough history.
What is the reason you think you need or want an O/U?
I'm not against it mind you.

[Ihuntoldschool]

Benefits, backboring is used to pull weight out of a barrel that's heavy, sluggish and slow to respond.

Backboring is a good idea to restore a bore thats badly pitted.

Backboring will add a slight amount of choke to a FIXED choke barrel.

Backboring slightly shortens the shot string.

Slight recoil reduction, hardly enough to ever notice.

Cons, more likely to get the occasional blooper/ squib load. Especially in cold weather. The wads are stiffer in cold weather and depending on the type of plastic they may not seal the larger bore well enough.  This doesn't happen often but shoot enough in cold and you'll hear the occasional off sounding shell.

Patterns hit or miss. No consistent advantage in patterning. My Benellis frequently out shoot my SX 4. 

[Tom007]

Tom if I may?

To clarify to the op. The whole bore is not oversize. The forcing cone is lengthened.
That's the shoulder area by hull crimp. First guy I heard of it was Mark Basner. He said it had also lowered velocity a little in his tests but imo it's usually worth it.
Hmmmm regarding over and unders. This is where lots of guys have issues. Double barreled guns aren't made to shoot laser beams. (Super tight patterns).
Anytime barrels are stacked or set side by side there would be an overlap. Some would be off the other pattern except at 1 set range.
The typical spread makes you not see the barrels don't shoot the same. Still the barrels need to be adjusted. Hence the usually high price tags. Imo trying to get a o/u turkey gun under a grand might be a gamble.
I've see one of the mossbergs (reg model) in 28 shoot ok. I'd still not get it for turkey gun. Idk what it'll do. And remember one, two guns isn't his enough history.
What is the reason you think you need or want an O/U?
I'm not against it mind you.

You are correct on the back bore Mike. However, my Browning Cynergy over under shoots lights out with both barrels. I sight in all my guns right on the waddle. My Browning Over-under only has about an inch difference between the upper and lower barrels on POA. The advantage of over-unders for Turkey is the ability to have 2 different chokes and loads, if the bird sneaks in close, you can switch to a more open choke real fast. Also good over decoys where you might get up close and personal. They also load very quietly too and your guaranteed 2 shots. I like mine, and use it often. Just my experience here.

[Bowguy]

Tom that gun isn't  under a grand. That was my point. A good gun is adjusted to shoot right. A cheaper gun isn't and may not.
The changing chokes thing is good. In theory it's real good but in reality we're prob not gonna miss if we have decent forgiveable patterns.
That doesn't pertain to this thread just an observation. Think too many try to outdo the next guy with pattern density and wind up with a somewhat unusable pattern up close.
I can remember 1 bird since the 80s I missed super close. It was the first time I'd tried a red dot. I never checked it up close instead looking from 25-40 yards once my reg bird loads showed close.
Dumb mistake. Everyone imo oughta shoot up close, I use 5-7 yards to be sure they're on. (Understand op at that range you'll be slightly low. Not enough to worry about)
We won't miss that that range and I'll add there's prob not tremendous difference at that range in either of Tom's barrels.
All the way we can see things but that's a nice gun you've got for sure bud

[Penguin907]

Tom if I may?

To clarify to the op. The whole bore is not oversize. The forcing cone is lengthened.
That's the shoulder area by hull crimp. First guy I heard of it was Mark Basner. He said it had also lowered velocity a little in his tests but imo it's usually worth it.
Hmmmm regarding over and unders. This is where lots of guys have issues. Double barreled guns aren't made to shoot laser beams. (Super tight patterns).
Anytime barrels are stacked or set side by side there would be an overlap. Some would be off the other pattern except at 1 set range.
The typical spread makes you not see the barrels don't shoot the same. Still the barrels need to be adjusted. Hence the usually high price tags. Imo trying to get a o/u turkey gun under a grand might be a gamble.
I've see one of the mossbergs (reg model) in 28 shoot ok. I'd still not get it for turkey gun. Idk what it'll do. And remember one, two guns isn't his enough history.
What is the reason you think you need or want an O/U?
I'm not against it mind you.

I don't need an O/U, they just seem pretty handy. Longer barrels with less overall length. A bit lighter weight while still having a second shot. Looked at the Cz reaper magnum a good bit, but also researching back bored barrels.

[Bowguy]

Gotcha, a single shot does same thing but doesn't offer 2nd shot. After you shot a whole bunch you'll realize you about never need a 2nd shot.

[Ihuntoldschool]

This is a case where you'll definitely get what you pay for.

CZ be a good budget over under. But if you're looking for reliability and a better chance of barrels regulated FAIRLY close you'd be better served with the Browning. I don't think backboring is the big selling point. It's the build quality and reliability that you're just not going to match with a Turkish made over under.

Now that being said I'd prefer a gun with 1 barrel over either of them.

3rd shot advantage with semi auto or pump. No barrel selector to fumble with at last second. Not having to deal with 2 point of impacts.

If he comes too close you can lower your aim point. 

[Tom007]

Tom that gun isn't  under a grand. That was my point. A good gun is adjusted to shoot right. A cheaper gun isn't and may not.
The changing chokes thing is good. In theory it's real good but in reality we're prob not gonna miss if we have decent forgiveable patterns.
That doesn't pertain to this thread just an observation. Think too many try to outdo the next guy with pattern density and wind up with a somewhat unusable pattern up close.
I can remember 1 bird since the 80s I missed super close. It was the first time I'd tried a red dot. I never checked it up close instead looking from 25-40 yards once my reg bird loads showed close.
Dumb mistake. Everyone imo oughta shoot up close, I use 5-7 yards to be sure they're on. (Understand op at that range you'll be slightly low. Not enough to worry about)
We won't miss that that range and I'll add there's prob not tremendous difference at that range in either of Tom's barrels.
All the way we can see things but that's a nice gun you've got for sure bud

You are correct Mike, forgot about "under a grand". The Cynergy was a retirement gift from my honey, or I wouldn't have it...

[Tom007]

More info from Browning

[Tom007]

Sorry for the sideways view