reaming a 3" 12 ga. to a 3 1/2" 12 ga.

[strangefire]

Is it possible to take a 3" 12 ga.single shot shotgun and ream it to take a 3 1/2" shell?

[tacklebury]

Simple answer would be no.  There's a lot more pressure, so I'd think that a competent smith could probably review the gun to see.  What kind of firearm, single shot, pump, semi?  If it's a pump, I'd say def. not if the company doesn't make it for that length and they might not even eject or feed.  Semi - definitely not same reasons.  Single maybe if the frame/barrel is equivalent to the modern steels and is only going from 3 to 3.5, but not if its a good bit older.  Probably not with doubles either.  These are just my thoughts though. 
 
***sorry just saw your post did say a single***
missed it first read...

[strangefire]

So.....it can be done. First of all I like big bore guns and I was thinking of purchasing a H&R SB2 980 slug gun which has the heavy rifled barrel, not sure about the frame/receiver but I think it can handle the extra pressure. That's why I'm thinking about the H&R. I thought of a 10 ga. but shells, molds and other things for a 10 are harder to come by and are more expensive. Some of the slug ammo now on the market is pushing 1700-2000 fps. That is truly amazing to me. Like my Marlin 450 with the new Hornady leverevolution pushing lead at 2050 fps. Back to the H&R, I think it would be fun to shoot with some different ammo that I can load.

[Catfish]

The presure of the 3 1/2 in. is alittle higher than the 3 in. , but I don`t think enough to do damage in the H&R`s. What I want to know is who would want to shoot one in 3 1/2 in. anyway. 

[tacklebury]

I like my 3.5" for buckshot loads.    I'll admit I haven't shot any of the turkey loads in it yet.  Everyone tells me they're real thumpers..  hehe
 

[strangefire]

I went to Midwayusa to see what they have in the way of a 3-1/2" slug rounds and one that they carry is the Lightfield Commander IDS Plus Ammunition 12 Gauge 3-1/2" 1-3/8 oz Sabot Slug. Of course I read the reveiws and the one that caught my eye is this reveiw.
 By far the best slug available.  The "Technical Specifications" are for the non-plus slugs, the real numbers are 1890 fps and 4,800 fpe.  That is astounding; nothing else even comes close.  I shoot them from an 11-87 with extended rifle tube with great results, around 3" at 100 yards, and get more then 1,900 fps.  I have since had a NEF Ultra Slug Hunter rechambered to 3.5" and find it to be the perfect combination with 2" or less groups. The energy is another story; phenominal is an understatment.  The pure knock-down performance is something that you simply have to see for youself.  I have taken 3 deer with the farthest shot at 109 yards and have yet to see one take a single step.  I cannot say enough about 'em...just try one and you'll see what I'm talking about. 
 
Thanks for all your advice! Chris 
 

[tacklebury]

Good to know Chris!  I hadn't played with slugs yet in mine.  I needed it only for really leafy early antlerless deer season mainly.  I was using some 000 buck and with the turkey choke I got nice patterns clear out to 50 yards.    I mainly use rifles (as I can where I live) and have taken deer with my .45-70, 30-40 krag, 45 LC carbine and a few others through the years.  Once in a while I dip down further south and have to use slugs/buckshot though as I'm just above the line in Michigan where shotgun only starts.