convert 12 gauge to muzzle loader ?

[matthew_h]

i have been wanting a 12 gauge muzzle loader for some time now but i cannot find one that i can afford . i have a 12 gauge 19 1/2 barrel for my nef and was wondering if there was a way to buy(hopefuly cheaply) , or build a press fit breech plug that takes a standard percussion cap nipple and #11 cap? i would have to modify a forearm to hold a ram rod but should not be to bad .

i think it would make a decent short range rabbit / squirrel gun and  i generally just like muzzle loaders . all my deer have been taken with a cva buckhorn with a 3-9x32 scope and 100 grain 777 pellets and a tc 300 grain shock-wave or hornaday xtp .

[trotterlg]

The problem is dealing with the chamber and forceing cone in the 12 gauge barrel.  Larry

[mccleese]

I know its not exactly what you are asking......But on youtube there are videos showing guys cutting off the plastic and just loading the brass, then they pour powder wad, shot wad and make their own.  Totally not what you are talking about but made me think of it.

[jrkrk]

Mccclease I would like to see that myself what is it titled under you tube or do you have the  link.

[Spanky]

Swampman posted the link a while back but the video has been removed by user.




Spanky

[PHATINJUN]

You can actually do that with any gauge shotgun just cut the plastic off the brass of a spent case replace the primer put in chamber and load it like you would any smooth bore muzzleloader make sure you use black powder or BP sub.Do Not use shotgun powder. Kurt

[peternap]

You need to do some machining but it can be done.

You will have to make a bore size plug and thread the chamber for it. Then you will need to make or buy a nipple that screws into it. I haven't done it with a break open, but have done it to Damascus barrels for a nipple.

[preventec47]

I dont have the tools or machinists capability but I could imagine and draw an insert
that would go into the chamber that would use the rear half of a shotgun shell
as the replaceable primer.  The flexible sides of the shell could expand when
shot to contain all surplus gasses and instead of replacing just the primer
every shot, you would replace the  half shotgun casing with the primer
already pressed in.  That would work better than NEF's idea for just
using primers and their little holders.

[PHATINJUN]

I wouldn't use a half shotgun case I would just use the brass then use the proper size wads and patches. Just use the brass end for the breech plug and build your load like a regular muzzleloader.About the only differance between this and a breech plug is you will not be legal for muzzloader only season but should get near the same accuracy. Kurt

[preventec47]

but i am talking being legal with a special design breech plug that allows a sealing
primer case to be slipped over the breech plug every time. Before you hunt
you use your reload promer press to load the primers into the shotgun brass
and short flexible cartridge wall that is essential to the sealing.
 

[PHATINJUN]

You will need to contact your game dept to see the legality of using a shotgun case for a breech plug .I know it won't fly here in IL.Not for muzzleloader only seasons. Not sure which end you are sealing if your talking about the breech end the brass from the case should seal ok if you are talking about the muzzle end that's what the wad/patch will do. If I was using the brass from a shot shell I would even go so far as to make sure it was previously shot out of the same gun that way it is already fireformed to the chamber. When using a case with part of the plastic left on I would be afraid that some of the powder would get between the plastic and the cylinder wall giving you inconsistant charges and there are already enough variables to give you fits trying to get a good shot load to pattern. Kurt

[ThomasB]

Are you wanting to use this for black powder deer hunting? You could alway get some of the reloadable brass shells that the cowboy shooters use. They are made for black powder and you can load them up
with buckshot, slugs, etc...they just use an overcard so you could load them up any way you wanted.
I'd check with your state game dept to see if it would be legal. But you would be using a single shot weapon with a black powder charge from a gun that was designed in the late 1800's.
Heck, I might try that for bird hunting....<G>
Tom

[Swampman]

Wouldn't be legal in FL.

[PHATINJUN]

I am not sure but I do not think it's legal in any BP only season in any state. Being Muzzleloading season the laws have more to do with how you load the bullet and charge than it does with the powder type your using. Kurt

[Lon371]

i think it would make a decent short range rabbit / squirrel gun and  i generally just like muzzle loaders

 Did I missed something here. His reason for doing it was not stated as deer. Does your states say what you can use for squirrel and rabbits?

Lonny

[Swampman]

A legal BP gun (useable during muzzleloading season) in FL cannot accept cartridges from the breech.