Rust bluing a 36" barrel

[swift]

I am interested in rust bluing a muzzleloader barrel using the laurel mountain browning/bluing solution. I built a boiling trough from a piece of aluminum gutter and used JB weld to attach the end plates. I've heated 1 gallon of water on a turkey fryer burner and, after 10 min, the water in thecenter is boiling vigorously but the water further from the center is not boiling even after 35 min of heating. If I boil a rusted barrel under these conditions, is there a potential for variations in the bluing along the barrel?

[kcstott]

Yep.
You either need to pour boiling water on the barrel or get a pipe burner.

[swift]

Thanks, kcscott.

Pipe burner is out of the question.
Pouring boiling water on the barrel wouldn't be difficult, but the directions state to boil it for 5 min. If I suspend the barrel in a trough and pour in boiling water, would this work?

Or would you recommend sticking with rust brown?

[Reelemup]

Get some pipe and end cap fittings.

[CSACANNONEER]

I've done browning by hanging a barrel in a hot bathroom with pots of warm water. 26 years later, it still looks great.

['ol shooter]

What about a hot plate or portable Propane cooking burner under the cold spots? Fryer on one end, and a Coleman stove in the middle and end? Just thoughts.

[kcstott]

Personally I'd recommend rust browning. It will look better and last longer.

but if that not something you care to do and want the blue finish. then you are going to have to do something.
Many have had good luck just ladling the water over the barrel and allowing it to collect in your heated pot. Keep ladling the water on until the rust converts.

I wouldn't recommend cobbling together a better set up. If you plan on doing more or might want to do parkerizing, i'd get a stainless tank and build or buy a pipe burner. Build a pipe burner = about $50 in parts and an hour in time. Buying one = $150 and up + and a regulator = $40. that's Why I built mine

[swift]

Thanks, everyone! I'll be browning the barrel.

[ar15barrels]

Pipe burner is out of the question.

Why?
You can make your own for around $15.
Look into how the smoker guys do it...