Author Topic: I have my big gun planned out, read for details! (Read 1522 times)

tykempster · « **on:** June 15, 2009, 05:28:27 AM »

Ok, so IF I get enough money to do this reasonably soon, here is how it's gonna go down.

Cartridge-20 gauge 3.5"
Brass-Rocky Mountain Cartridge custom turned 3.5" brass
Barrel-20 gauge USH
Action-SB2 rifle action
Stock-Custom set from Riflestocks Inc. that will have room for lots of recoil reducers
Dies-Custom set from C4HD
Bullets-1040 grain cast
Pressure limit-30k PSI (This almost exact project has been done before, I talked to the guy who did it, the brass is the weak link at that pressure)

First, I will locate a 20 gauge USH barrel and send it to get reamed to 3.5", and have a long rifle-like throat added to reduce pressure and allow bullets to be seated out. This shouldn't be more than $100 with shipping. Then I will get 20 brass made, for about $150 shipped. Dies will be around $200 to my door as well. A custom stock set should be the same price, $200ish, plus the cost of either several recoil reducers added, or just some lead in the stock. I will see if I can get an especially wide forearm made so I can put lead on either side of it, and weld the forearm stud on so it can't break. I know a smith who can drill and tap the front of the barrel for sights, and also install some, hopefully using the scope mounting holes. I will have to buy a press to handle the big dies, but the Lee should be plenty strong and under $100. With the 30,000 PSI limit I can achieve around 1800 fps with a 1040 grain bullet, but I don't think I could handle that, around 1500 or 1600 fps would be much softer recoil. Speaking of recoil, if I get the weight to 15 lbs, the recoil at 1600 fps will be UNDER 100 ft lbs. That's not a whole lot more than my 45-120. If the weight is 12 lbs, recoil jumps to 118 ft lbs, but with a good recoil pad I don't think that would "hurt" persay. But, at 12 lbs, the 1040 grain bullet at 1800 fps is kicking with almost 150 lbs recoil. I don't think that is practical.

So, there you have it, my entire thought process. I don't see anything unsafe, or that sounds iffy, but if you have concerns feel free to voice them! I talked to Ty Herring of Barnes Bullets about my project, and he tol me his version of a "Poor Man's 600 Nitro" as he calls it. He used a TC Encore frame and barrel, and shot with pressures over 18k and much thinner Magtech brass. He said the H&R action and barrel are both stronger than the TC Encore and will take more pressure. His gun was only 7 lbs, he shot it with a scope, and it had 147 lbs of recoil. So if you know what you are doing, 150 lbs of recoil is obviously conquerable, even with a scope. (Don't think you'll catch me on Youtube breaking an eye socket however

)

Here is a picture that is very close to actual size of some cartridges for comparison:
EDIT-Nevermind, it got shrunk. Use your imagination.

canon6 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 15, 2009, 05:39:21 AM »

Young Sir, you are obviously out of your mind

.Now having said that go for it and keep us informed.
I do have a very bad right shoulder(stainless steel insert) so I do know the name and address of a very good orthopod surgeon.

Doug

wreckhog · « **Reply #2 on:** June 15, 2009, 05:41:26 AM »

Why not go with a 12 instead of a 20?

Rustyinfla · « **Reply #3 on:** June 15, 2009, 06:37:00 AM »

you could even keep it the standard length chamber and use the Mag Tech brass shells.

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #4 on:** June 15, 2009, 07:13:27 AM »

I say go for it Tyler your only young once and it is very hard to do these things when you get a wife and kids. I commend you for gettin your freek from gun powder rather than other crap. I have been using the RMC 20ga brass for a little while now (not for anything that would intrest you) but although expensive you will never have to replace it. But as Santa said "you'll poke your eye out kid" screw Santa... with the follow thru you got your eye balls should not pop out when you pull the trigger. Keep us posted. Kurt

1000grain bullet where you live it may be worth the road trip to see ya squeeeezzzz this one off

blind ear · « **Reply #5 on:** June 15, 2009, 07:56:19 AM »

Good luck. Bad sholders and detached retinas are rough to deal with when you are approaching 60 and it is real cold and you want to go hunting or shooting. Be careful.

the lone gunman · « **Reply #6 on:** June 15, 2009, 09:09:17 AM »

I like your project but,, Be Carefull , Please. and post pics .

mauser98us · « **Reply #7 on:** June 15, 2009, 09:41:13 AM »

Do it before we get socialized health care

MrJames680 · « **Reply #8 on:** June 15, 2009, 10:26:20 AM »

Thats pretty cool Tyler.
Would you consider a muzzle break of some sort?
I think that if you get the rifle to weight 15lbs and add some other recoil reducing accessories you'd be ok.
I would be real curious to hear of how you deal with recoil management, keep us posted. (like you wouldnt...)
Right on man, really cool project. I'm green with envy.

James

tykempster · « **Reply #9 on:** June 15, 2009, 10:40:21 AM »

Wreckhog-I want to use the rifle frame, so the 12 gauge USH barrel won't work.

Rusty-The Magtechs aren't near as thick, and wouldn't have near the capacity to launch the bullets as fast. (Or fast at all)

MrJames680-What I have read on brakes is that they work better with higher pressure. At 30k pressures, I'm sure it would have "some" effect, but I'm not sure how much. I don't think the porting on shotguns does all that much, granted the pressures are less than half of 30k. If I shoot it and can't stand it then a brake might be in order, but I think that would ruin the looks of a gun of this type.

Spanky · « **Reply #10 on:** June 15, 2009, 02:19:03 PM »

Tyler,

Pay no mind to the naysayers and the hecklers

It sounds like a pretty cool project to me.
One word of advice though... Pay close attention to recoil levels as you work up loads and know when to say when.
There's no need to hurt yourself to have fun

Have fun and keep us posted.

Spanky

zoner · « **Reply #11 on:** June 15, 2009, 02:43:08 PM »

wow...1000 gr bullet....1800 fps...even 1600 fps...and it's gonna be fun. Careful...if this continues you will need to put wheels on your "rifles" and tow em behind your truck to get em to the range

mitchell · « **Reply #12 on:** June 16, 2009, 01:26:01 PM »

put a can on it should lighten up that recoil even at 30k.

BTW your stones that are made of steel are far bigger then mine

Smokin Joe · « **Reply #13 on:** June 16, 2009, 01:33:27 PM »

"There's something not quite right with that boy"

--Sigmund Freud

tykempster · « **Reply #14 on:** June 16, 2009, 02:46:32 PM »

LOL when I can afford everything that goes into getting a suppressor I will certainly have one...but right now, nope. $:-\$

mitchell · « **Reply #15 on:** June 16, 2009, 03:04:12 PM »

true it does cost a good bit of money but then again so does have your arm put back on

MrJames680 · « **Reply #16 on:** June 19, 2009, 12:52:46 PM »

+1 on the muzzle break Tyler. It wouldn't look good.

Maybe you could some how mount a shock from a off road vehicle some how inside the stock???.

LOL- Cool project man. Wish I thought of it myself...

chipmunk · « **Reply #17 on:** June 20, 2009, 04:43:08 PM »

Good luck. I want a youtube video of the first shot you fire out of it!

kennyd · « **Reply #18 on:** June 21, 2009, 03:42:12 AM »

I think you need only one shell. You ganna benchrest this?

mrbgt · « **Reply #19 on:** June 21, 2009, 05:42:33 AM »

not trying to rain on your idea, but I've read in the past about certain calibers bigger than .50, being considered a ''destructive ordinance '', which required a tax stamp . Maybe someone else could chime in . not sure if it relates to black powder cartriges though ! that would be a sick thumper

Dinny · « **Reply #20 on:** June 21, 2009, 06:19:15 AM »

Ty,
Sorry but I couldn't resist picturing you in this compilation video. The rifle is chambered in 577 TYRANNOSAUR. Here's more info.

http://www.accuratereloading.com/577tyr.html *EDIT* Well then again a 577 TYRANNOSAUR Google search will uncover a wealth of data.

Although this video is 6:24 minutes long, I'm sure all of you will find it amusing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LD-KaUl_olo

I think you should change your motto to "Go Big or Go Home"

Good luck and be safe!

~Dinny

Smokin Joe · « **Reply #21 on:** June 21, 2009, 04:41:23 PM »

mrbgt, the ATF and DOJ exempts sporting purpose cartridges.

maglvr44 · « **Reply #22 on:** June 22, 2009, 05:21:10 PM »

Sounds like a lot of expense to end up with nothing more than a slug gun, you could get the same performance from a $75, rifled handi 12ga shooting a $2.00 Dixie Exterminator, and punch a bigger hole to boot

if recoil is your thing, touch off a Dixie slug in a trackerII, .73 caliber, 730 grain, hard cast @ 1500fps.

Dinny · « **Reply #23 on:** June 22, 2009, 07:06:19 PM »

Quote from: maglvr44 on June 22, 2009, 05:21:10 PM

Sounds like a lot of expense to end up with nothing more than a slug gun, you could get the same performance from a $75, rifled handi 12ga shooting a $2.00 Dixie Exterminator, and punch a bigger hole to boot if recoil is your thing, touch off a Dixie slug in a trackerII, .73 caliber, 730 grain, hard cast @ 1500fps.

I agree, but to even increase the recoil more, try the ULSH at 5 1/4 lbs with one of those Dixie slugs. That will jar a few fillings loose for sure.

Rustyinfla · « **Reply #24 on:** June 22, 2009, 07:58:38 PM »

R.I.P.

tykempster · « **Reply #25 on:** June 23, 2009, 08:15:36 AM »

I'm not looking for just recoil, jeez, it's gotta have the foot lbs and big shell to go with it! I don't enjoy punishment, just lots of power. My 45-120 will eclipse any shotgun slug factory loadings already!

Dinny · « **Reply #26 on:** June 23, 2009, 09:14:10 AM »

I would be interested in knowing by how much your 45-120 out-does a Dixie Terminator. At a diameter of .730, a weight of 730 grains and a velocity of 1250 fps(from 20" bbl), those slugs are considered overkill for even the largest African game. Swing by the following links sometime to evaluate your loads using the different calculators. I have found them to be very informative.

http://www.beartoothbullets.com/rescources/

http://www.dixieslugs.com/products.html

Good luck with your project, who knows how it will all pan-out but sometimes the journey and knowledge gained is worth every penny you spend.

~Dinny

tykempster · « **Reply #27 on:** June 23, 2009, 09:35:11 AM »

I don't think anything is overkill for the largest african game, and I wouldn't trust those slugs if I was after elephants, but that's just me.

My 45-120 can do 1800 fps with 720 grain bullets that have a much higher SD.

Dinny · « **Reply #28 on:** June 23, 2009, 11:42:42 AM »

Tyler,
Look at the numbers, those slugs are very respectable. They are the modern versions of the British Paradox loads that were popular for African and Indian dangerous game. Some of their loyal followers consider their guns as "Big Bore Rifles on Shotgun Frames." Give them a try sometime. Be sure to post another video on youtube when you fire them. I would love to see your initial reaction to these slugs, I bet you would like them.