Help me build a double barrel shotgun from scratch...

[BigBlock]

I've always wanted a double barrel 12 gauge with a 12" barrel and pistol grip, but I'm not interested in paying all the taxes for that and I'm sure the recoil would be rather unpleasant anyway. Thus, I've decided I want to build one myself in .410 bore. (with a rifled barrel to keep it legal)

What I want to do is make a muzzleloader, with electronic ignition. My question is, if I use these barrels:

http://www.e-gunparts.com/DisplayAd.asp?chrProductSKU=952540&chrSuperSKU=&MC=
Made from 4140 steel, unchambered, in the white, with 6-groove rifling. Measures .800" OD at the breech and .630" OD at the muzzle.

Will it be safe to load them using smokeless powder and standard .410 loadings? Or should I stick with black powder?

 

[LarryS.]

I was anxious to hear how you were going to make your barrels, but.......

From: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/scratch......

32. from scratch,
a. from the very beginning or starting point.
b. from nothing; without resources: After the depression he started another business from scratch

 

[BigBlock]

"Scratch" indicates that I will not be using a kit or cutting down a pre existing gun.

 

[rcmodel]

Well, it says those barrels were intended for the .45 LC, so smokeless powder would be perfectly fine in moderation.

But, I believe you will be sadly disappointed in the performance of a rifled .410 shotgun after going to all that trouble to make one.

The full length rifling will spread the shot pattern so much as to make the gun totally useless for anything, except at very close range.

Why not just get a Taurus .410 / .45 LC 5-shot revolver and get it out of your system?


rcmodel

 

[BigBlock]

Ummm....the Taurus guns are rifled too. I know rifling is not ideal, but until the NFA is declared unconstitutional, it will have to do. There are a few commercially made guns on the market similar to what I want to make...so it can't be that bad. I imagine the barrel would get pretty well leaded after some use and that would actually be a good thing for me. I might also try and make some sort of choke tube.

 

[jmorris]

I'd say the 12" barrels would hurt just as much a rifling. Good luck and post pics when your finished.

 

[Jim K]

A replica of an antique firearm (even if it is not truly a direct copy) is exempt from the rules mentioned. You can legally make a muzzle-loading shotgun with 12 inch smooth-bore barrels.

Jim