Author Topic: Using a 50 cal as a shotgun?  (Read 839 times)

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Offline mrgd

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Using a 50 cal as a shotgun?
« on: December 27, 2007, 06:39:57 PM »
Hello folks,

I understand fully that there are much better suited powder guns that are meant to be shotguns, but I don't have one of those yet.  I have read of people shooting 45-70 shot shells and the like.  I have a 50 cal that is a low end gun.  I would like to try things out with it and shot if it won't tear anything up.  Will the shot hurt the rifling?  Can one us cardboard or felt or something for over and under shot wads?  I don't really know, but if I can scratch this itch without spending a bunch of money on the front end, then that would be great. 

What about loads?

Safety?

Thanks,

tt

Offline DakotaJeff

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Re: Using a 50 cal as a shotgun?
« Reply #1 on: December 27, 2007, 08:00:03 PM »
Shooting shot out of a rifled barrel?  Yes, it can be done.  I wouldn't really recommend it.  You'll probably find the rifling will give you very unpredictable patterns from shot to shot.  Basically the rifling will spiral your shot column and you'll get some pretty good "fliers."  If you want to try it, I recommend using soft lead shot, not steel.  Not sure what to suggest for powder charges, I wouldn't go over 60 grains or so.

Offline mrgd

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Re: Using a 50 cal as a shotgun?
« Reply #2 on: December 28, 2007, 05:35:52 AM »
Thanks Jeff.

Anyone tried this?  Any other opinions.

tt

Offline Cheesehead

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Re: Using a 50 cal as a shotgun?
« Reply #3 on: December 28, 2007, 05:38:59 AM »
I have thought about it, and using sabots for shot wads.

Cheese
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Using a 50 cal as a shotgun?
« Reply #4 on: December 28, 2007, 06:02:31 AM »
Here's a recent discussion on shooting shot in a .50 cal rifle.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,128336.0.html
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