converting 12 ga double to a side by side rifle

sharpsguy

sharpsguy

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Does anyone have any random thoughts about converting a double barrel shotgun into a double barrel rifle? I've seen the odd article ablout it, but I cant find a lot of info on the subject. If you were to keep to lower pressure cartridges, and build it on a quality shotgun action, I feel it would work. I was thinking about using 45-70 or 50-140 black powder cartridges, seeing that I have a reamer for both from previous projects. Lets here some ideas you guys have.

Sharpsguy.
 
This was discussed in some depth here not too long ago. There is a book "Building Double rifles on Shotgun Actions" by W. Ellis Brown.
 
Brown's book is an excellent piece of work...but it will either put you off trying to build one or make you go shopping on EBay for a lathe and mill!
 
Big ugly man,

I have the lathe and the milling machine already. I hand made a sharps action from a block of 4140 about 10 years ago(still not finished), so I'm a sucker for punishment! I think the rifle conversion will be doable. I'm kinda pumped about doing one 50-140 black powder...lots of boom.

Sharpsguy.
 
I'm working on a 20bore sxs rifle on a shotgun action, so far my biggest problem has been getting the parts into Canada. The 50-140 should be no problem and could probably be built on a 20ga action. I am using a 12ga frame because I need the weight to keep the gun from damaging me. A 62cal570grn bullet at 1800-2000fps generates a bit of recoil as you would expect. My load development started with a Martini GP frame which weighed about 7 3/4 lbs and nearly broke me so when I get some more time to work on the project I will be adding alot more weight and using a lead sled I think.
Regards
 
Built 1 , a 45-70 a few years ago, will never do another.
If you are bound to do 1, make sure that the locking mechanism is strong as in like a side lock or an underlever.
I used an under lever, the biggest hassle is regulating the barrels, sounds simple don't it. The shotgun should be regulated, right? For shot yes , but no where near precise enough for a single projectile.
Possibly with the use of 2 laser bore sighters this may have been easier.
I bonded in the left barrel, then moved the right to get it to print as close as possible to the shot placement of left barrel.
This is strictly trial and error.
For the time it took me I could have built 4 custom bolt rifles.
 
sharpsguy said:
Big ugly man,

I have the lathe and the milling machine already. I hand made a sharps action from a block of 4140 about 10 years ago(still not finished), so I'm a sucker for punishment! I think the rifle conversion will be doable. I'm kinda pumped about doing one 50-140 black powder...lots of boom.

Sharpsguy.
Click to expand...

Then buy the book and get to it. I want to see it!!!


And shoot it!
 
It would really be worth getting the book, if you want to try this. The method described does not sleeve the barrels, rather the original barrels are used to make a monoblock into which the rifle barrels are inserted. On one project illustrated, a new monoblock is scratch built.
 
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