Help me satisfy my curiosity

[mesinge2]

Just for my understanding: The Judge/Governor is legal because it is a 45 cal revolver that is capable of firing a .410 shot shell.

A 12 GA only with be a pistol grip Short barrel shotgun, right?

Along those lines, if Smith & wesson invented a .72 or .73 caliber round for the 12 GA Governor could they market a new .72 or .73 cal revolver that just happens to be capable of firing 12 GA shells?


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[451 Detonics]

It would be a NFA Destructive Device...as is any firearm over .50 cal that doesn't have an ATF exemption.

This is the problem with the 28ga Taurus...it is a DD, not a SBS.

 

[SaxonPig]

I think it's legal due to the rifled barrel. A true shotgun with a smooth bore would not be legal at that length.

 

[mesinge2]

451 Detonics, Thanks for explaining. I did not know that it was based on bore diameter


However, How does Gary Reeder make revolvers chambered in .510 GNR if it can't be more than .50?

 

[Jim Watson]

There are two possibilities.
First, as I understand it, it is because they check them with a plug gauge.
So the BORE just has to be not over .50". The GROOVE diameter and thus the bullet can be larger because the plug does not enter the grooves.
Confusion between bore and groove diameter is a common Internet Error and of more consequence than the difference between clip and magazine.

Second, not all caliber designations reflect an actual measurement of bullet or barrel.
Consider that on the small end, .218 Bee, .219 Zipper, .220 Swift, .221 Fireball, .222 Remington, .223 Remington, .224 Weatherby, and .225 Winchester ALL shoot .224" diameter bullets.
Advertising in action.

 

[mesinge2]

Gary Reeder also makes a .610 caliber round that is actually a .620 caliber bullet:

Quote from http://www.reedercustomguns.com/information/GNR_cartridges.htm

[...]

Now the biggest of them all, our 610 GNR. This monster killer is based on the 577 Snider case, which is readily available, necked up straight to .620 caliber. It shoots a 550 grain bullet at 1900 fps. More power than the 460 Weatherby cartridge but the recoil of a 12 gauge magnum shotgun. This one is chambered in the Ruger #1 rifle. Dies and data are available.

[...]

510 GNR
This is our biggest revolver cartridge, the 510 GNR. [...] A true 510 caliber, this cartridge is 1/10 of an inch shorter than the 500 Linebaugh and brass is available. It can be loaded up to the 500 Linebaugh or loaded down to the 50 Special ballistics. Best in a 5 shot revolver.

I was curious about this after 451 Detonics's post. You see, I was planning on getting the Mastadon. Its a .510 GNR revolver built on a redhawk frame and if I am going to have to pay extra to own this because of some license I'll need, then its not worth it.

 

[451 Detonics]

That and the ATF does make exemptions based on sporting use. JD Jones got an exemption for his .950 caliber rifle. Obviously a 140 pound rifle isn't going to be used by many 'bangers but does make a great long range target rifle.

This is the problem with the 28 ga Taurus...hard to come up with a sporting purpose for it.