Modification of a shotgun to fire handgun ammo

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Hummer70

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Just noticed on ebay there is someone in Georgia making adaptors to fire 38 Spec, 9MM etc from 12 ga shotguns. Just do a search for shotgun adaptors.

I first saw this done by a gunsmith at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center when I was assigned there in 1983. His adaptor was for 357 Magnum in a 12 ga. Worked slick.

I thought of another adaptor that might be more effective and be capable of launching a heavier bullet with more accuracy. I have already called a barrel maker I know and he has a scrap section of 35 caliber barrel blank.

My plan is to make an adaptor for 12 ga reduced to hold either a 35 Whelen or 358 Winchester load. Now before everyone goes off like a rocket, the rounds I will be loading will have small charges of pistol powder in them( like Bullseye) and only deliver pressures about 1/5th of what a full up load would be.

I have a 35 caliber 220 grain bullet mold that was orginally made for 357 Maximum ammo but I have been shooting it in my 35 Whelen with Bullseye in it and load it to only 1125 fps range which does several good things.
1. Very little recoil.
2. very little noise signature.
3. At 1125 fps impact velocity you will experience very devastating penetration which for most medim game you would hit would accomplish and through and through.
4. Cost per found is like a dime for primer and powder assuming you cast your own bullets.
5. You can get a 200 gr. aluminum bolt mold for like $25.00.
6. Also makes for cheap new shooting training.

Of course this could be done with 357 Magnum but you get into all kinds of propellant compression issues which should be avoided and some propellants initial pressure spikes will distort the bottom of the projectile destroying accuracy. No problem with 35 Whelen as it has a much bigger propellant chamber, bullet bases won't be destroyed and the long Whelen necks will hold the heavy bullets better. As well the primer on the Whelen is much bigger than 357 mag so less chance of damaging striker nose with off center hit.

You might have to go to a alternative sight system to get ultimate accuracy but I suspect the factory single bead sight on a 12 ga break down you let you hit medium game targets reliably at 25 yards or so.

I think I will be making up a Whelen adaptor that I will turn to close tolerance for my 3" mag chamber on my New England breakdown 12 I just got before I went in for bypass surgery since I am going to be on light duty for a bit for another three weeks.

For more info there is a site called gunwriters on the web you can check out. Do a search for catsneeze loads.
 
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I have been carrying and using chamber adapters for years. My son has a set that he uses frequently. One barrel is for the 45-70; 18 inches long, he hunts pigs with it.
Many types are available from MCACE.com. As well, Chiappa offers an eight barrel set of six inch adapters.
Pete
 
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