Multi-caliber Barrel

[BigIron]

Well, I've had my .22 sportster for over a year now and i'm very pleased. Now I would like a longer range plinker/varmint gun.
I would like a barrel that is capable of multiple calibers. I realize that only the most popular calibers will be available in the gunshop so I will probably get a .223 and then send it in to have one fitted. I've been wanting a .223 anyway. Maybe I will get lucky and find a barrel on the forum and fit it myself.
So my question is which calibers would allow multiple ammo choices? (ex: .357/38sp)

[knight0334]

As you probably know..   only straight walled chambers will allow for multiple cartridge uses.   357mag will allow 38spl.   357max will allow 360DW, 357mag and 38spl.   44mag will allow 44spl.     You can get a 44mag barrel and ream it out to 445 super mag, then you can use 44mag and 44spl too.

As of current production, the only barrels you can use shorter cartridges are:  44mag, 357mag and 45LC(using 45schofield).

[Fred M]

The trouble with shooting shorter cases in a long chamber is the carbon build up ahead of the shorter cases. If you let it linger the crbon is tough to remove.

Load the longest case with less powder is the way to go.

Shooting 22 shorts in a 22lrf chamber makes a real mess if not cleaned after each use.

[Chilachuck]

To pick a nit, "caliber" refers to the bore diameter.

Best choice, to my thinking, is to get an adapter to allow shooting a .22LR in the .223, maybe a second one to dedicate to CB caps?

(Wiki is really getting useful):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caliber_conversion_sleeve

Caliber conversion sleeve
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A number of different devices exist whose function is to non-permanently alter a firearm to allow it to fire a different cartridge than the one it was originally designed to fire. These devices are called by many names, including caliber conversion sleeve, cartridge conversion sleeve, supplemental chamber, chamber insert, and subgauge inserts or subgauge tubes. This article will break the various conversions down into types by the degree to which they alter the cartridge used by the firearm.

(Snip whole bunch more good stuff)

[stimpylu32]

I may be off base but do not see how a rimfire to centerfire sleave would work as it would have to have an offset or angle chamber to allow the centerfire pin to hit the rimfire primer .

of am i missing something .       

stimpy

[quickdtoo]

MCA sells chamber adapters, never tried em, just know of them.

Tim

http://mcace.com/adapters.htm

[canon6]

I have used MCA rimfire   adapters and they work fine. For the money a good investment imho   Doug

[PHATINJUN]

I can shoot 38 38spc 357 mag and 360DW out of my 357 mag. And should be able to shoot all the 32's out of that new bbl but will probly stick with 32mag and for heavier bullets the 32 longs. Kurt

[Chilachuck]

Stimpy, I don't have any experience with them, all I know is what I've read.

Some are supposed to have a plug behind them with an offset firing pin. I cannot see that transferring enough energy to pop the primer, but they are supposed to work. They are supposed to be slow to reload.

Some others, with the smaller barrel insert inside the larger shotgun or rifle barrel are supposed to be off center so the pin can hit the primer.

I don't think angling the cartridge would work.

[BigIron]

WOW, didnt expect this many replies already, thanks.
I think Knight summed it up pretty well for me.
The .357 I believe is a pretty straight shooter, at least to 100 yards although 45LC ammo comes in a lot of different power levels. I'm not interested in rechambering a barrel at this time.
Chamber inserts! I had forgotten that these things exist. I'm surprised that the .gov hasnt banned them yet . I dont think I would be interested in converting to a .22. Now 7.62x39 out of a .308 sounds like fun but if they recommend not using surplus ammo then that takes the fun out of it for me. I will look into this some more.
My .22sporty and a .223 would take care of short and midrange varmint work. Maybe I should think about something for longrange. As far as my original question, I was just thinking about versatility. Just brainstorming for now.