Anyone ever tried this?

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Goneshoot'n

Goneshoot'n

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A number of years ago I experimented with the idea of "cut shells." I'm sure most of you have heard of this, where you cut almost all the way around the shell about half way down, and when fired, the whole top half of the shell come out of the gun creating a "slug" made from a target load. This is dangerous and a bad idea because the barrel of the shotgun is much smaller in diameter than the outside of the shell. It was only designed to shoot the wad and shot. But they work so well, and if done right, the wad will come out in flight, and the portion of the shell with no shot will stabilize the shell, like a badminton birdie, and you can get accuracy similar to that of a foster slug.

Anyways, the other day I noticed that a 20 gauge shell will fit pretty snug in a 12 gauge wad. I got to thinking, what if you cut the top half of a 20 gauge shell, like a cut shell, and loaded it into a 12 gauge shell like you would a slug? Would this operate like a cut shell, but in a safer way? It would probably stick out the top a little bit, but might this work?
 
I have heard about the emergency slugs you refer to. Although I agree with those who encourage the usage of a factory ammunition as it was intended to be used and favor this approach myself, I don't think it is very dangerous to use these homemade slugs because the shell is made of plastic and it should compress sufficiently under pressure in the barrel not to cause any serious damage to the shooter or the gun. I have not heard about an accident related to their use, but then again, I am not hoping to hear about it. That being said, I fail to see any advantage to the usage of two perfectly good shells to make one homemade accident waiting to happen. As a reminder to those who might have forgotten, these homemade emergency slugs should never be put into the magazine of a repeater, that would be looking for trouble. They can be inserted directly in the chamber if true need be, for example when (insert the situation where you really need a slug and do not have one here). Ordinary slugs run for around a dollar each. My safety is worth at least a dollar or two. Emergencies are to be dealt with accordingly, to the best of one's knowledge.
 
I guess I'm just curious more than anything. If I want to shoot slugs, I can just buy slugs. Thought it might be interesting to try, but if there's too many red flags I won't. I figure it's less of a payload than the original shell was designed to shoot, and it will fit through the barrel just fine. So theoretically it should be safe?
 
I have seen cut shells before but what you are saying is taking it to another level. I would not risk the health of a good shotgun to such treatment just to find out. I especially wouldn't with a semi auto where a shooter could follow it up without checking the bore first for a remaining obstruction. Too much risk for lack of getting the proper ammo in the first place. Just my opinion which is what this thread asked for. Be safe and go home afterwards.
 
I have never heard of this "cut shell" idea but to me it doesn't sound like anything I would want to try. You want to use slugs in your shotgun; fine then go out and buy some and use the shells as they were designed to be used.
 
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A cut shell is one thing, not recommended, but anecdotal evidence says its doable. Trying to fire half a 20ga shell out of a 12ga sounds like a bad idea. It's not the most ridiculous thing I've seen fired out of a 12ga, but its probably not going to fly well being undersized for the bore, and carries more risk than I'd be comfortable with
 
@Goneshoot'n, I understand your curiosity. I am a wonderer too. Just, remember what the cat learned...

I have seen a cheaper import fall to a cut shell. It was why I waited so long to get a shot gun. A good thing it was so cheap, I'd take a long split over a banana peeled end and a choke tube grenade.

I wager it would have lasted a good long time, had a bunch of dumb kids not found it. I'm glad Steven still has his face...

A tight cylinder will slide, a loose one will wedge...
 
My curiosity got the best of me a few years ago and I sent a few cut-shells through my 870 with a smoothbore slug barrel. I don't see a whole lot of danger to using them as long as you aren't running a tight choke, but I don't see the point either since every gun shop and Walmart carries slugs.

I wouldn't however mess with 20 gauge plastic in a 12 gauge. I'm sure it could be tested safely if someone was inclined, but it seems like a lot of effort with no benefits.
 
Biggest potential problem, and I remember a Sportsmans club in WI that had an example, would be the cutoff tube staying in the barrel while the payload of wad and shot exited the muzzle. Plastic tube is now an obstruction. Their example was a badly bulged barrel. I can see the crimp opening when the shell was fired and the cutoff tube not making it to the end of the barrel.
Good grief! If you are putting yourself in a situation where you might need an "emergency" slug just carry a couple. Not legal here in the people's republik of Illinois unless in deer season and with a valid permit. Likewise, no shotshells while slug hunting.
 
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Goneshoot'n said:
It would probably stick out the top a little bit, but might this work?
Click to expand...

It might. It might not. Its probably not worth the effort.

There is a guy on YouTube that will shoot most anything out of a shotgun. Seriously, anything... most, if not all, experiments come up lacking from what is already commercially available.
 
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