Author Topic: 20 ga rifling options?  (Read 912 times)

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Offline RPRNY

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20 ga rifling options?
« on: February 09, 2012, 07:16:58 AM »
So, I'm waffling on whether to buy a 12ga USH, or whether I can make something like a purse out of this sow's ear I have: a 28" VR Screw-in choke 20 ga barrel. I ordered it end 2010 from H&R (fit to an SB2 receiver) and was gobsmacked at the weight when it arrived. It's a 12ga bored to 20. So, carries like a 10, hits like a 20. Not ideal or even really useful in a bird gun. But, it has potential as a slug gun.

I'm trying to get a better understanding of options and would appreciate your input:

First, is there a really good rifled choke out there?  With the Hastings Paradox choke no longer available, it seems all I can find are 3" sized chokes. I just can't believe they can impart enough twist to stabilize a sabot round. Is there something else out there that I don't know about?

Second, I effectively have a big heavy 20 ga barrel that can be reamed out to quite some length. Can it be effectively rifled or will doing so expand bore diameter past levels where reasonable performance from 20ga slugs is feasible. I'm certainly thinking it would make a candidate for a Hubel type 20ga FTB (From the Bronx, ie it's like Hell, only smaller...). But the 2 3/4 brass Magtech hulls from Midway would make a good hull to load some tamed Hubel loads, no?

Anyway, other than as a boat anchor, I can't see much use for this 20 ga barrel except backyard clays. Your thoughts on whether and how it can be made into a good slugger would be most appreciated.
[spoof]The Handi-Rifle is a highly matrixed, vintage tactical shooting platform allowing operators high interchangeability, extended caliber diversity, and a wide choice of range related optical solutions suited to the demands of their tactical operating environments.  ;) [/spoof]

Offline quickdtoo

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Re: 20 ga rifling options?
« Reply #1 on: February 09, 2012, 08:52:42 AM »
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Offline 45/70fan

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Re: 20 ga rifling options?
« Reply #2 on: February 09, 2012, 09:58:36 AM »
You've got a few options. You can go with fiber optics sights or a VR cantilever scope mount from someone like BSquare. A modified choke tube and the cheap Winchester fosters will usually do 6" or better for 3 shots at 100 yards. Carlson's makes an extended rifled choke tube but full bore slugs like Buckhammers or Brennekes typically best in the short rifling from what I have read.

Offline geartow

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Re: 20 ga rifling options?
« Reply #3 on: February 09, 2012, 03:18:54 PM »
I would add a set of fiber-optic rib sites to the barrel. a modified choke and try Federal TRU-BALL slugs . I shoot a 2 smooth bore slug guns 1 a 12 ,1 a 20 they both shoot 4 inch 3 shot groups . I am sold on the TRU-BALL slugs for quality and affordability .
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Offline RPRNY

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Re: 20 ga rifling options?
« Reply #4 on: February 10, 2012, 12:56:23 PM »
I'm going to give it a shot. Ordered the B-Square mount - thanks for that tip, will work well on my Weatherby for Turkey too! - and I will try various slugs to see what I can get out of it. I hunt rifle in CT and VT, but down south in NY we are shotgun only and the places I hunt will be 50 yards and under. If it doesn't work out, it'll be on the classifieds.
[spoof]The Handi-Rifle is a highly matrixed, vintage tactical shooting platform allowing operators high interchangeability, extended caliber diversity, and a wide choice of range related optical solutions suited to the demands of their tactical operating environments.  ;) [/spoof]

Offline VdoMemories Blazing Sabot

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Re: 20 ga rifling options?
« Reply #5 on: May 12, 2012, 09:04:39 AM »
Geetings, you can turn your gun into a Paradox gun by adding a 8 inch rifled choke to it, just like the Britishers used for big game hunting way back!
http://www.kebcollc.com/cart/store.php?crn=209&rn=641&action=show_detail
By the way this is my first message here.
Hope it helps.
Ajay
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Offline RPRNY

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Re: 20 ga rifling options?
« Reply #6 on: May 20, 2012, 06:04:19 PM »
Geetings, you can turn your gun into a Paradox gun by adding a 8 inch rifled choke to it, just like the Britishers used for big game hunting way back!
http://www.kebcollc.com/cart/store.php?crn=209&rn=641&action=show_detail
By the way this is my first message here.
Hope it helps.
Ajay
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VdoMemories Blazing Sabots

Thanks Ajay - glad to see you here as well as on SGW!  I appreciate the link to the Hastings rifled choke. I spent a lot of time looking for one several months ago with no luck, so this was a good find. However, I am getting such good performance with Brenekke slugs that I intend to stick with them. The accuracy at 75 yards is quite impressive. I was even getting okay groups for deer at 100 yards with cheapo Winchester Foster type slugs!  Not that I would try that on actual deer...
[spoof]The Handi-Rifle is a highly matrixed, vintage tactical shooting platform allowing operators high interchangeability, extended caliber diversity, and a wide choice of range related optical solutions suited to the demands of their tactical operating environments.  ;) [/spoof]

Offline jkpq45

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Re: 20 ga rifling options?
« Reply #7 on: June 06, 2012, 03:08:21 AM »
Any particular reason for the need for rifling?

I ask because I've gotten excellent performance with the Lee Key-Drive sabot slug.  Uses standard shotcups as sabots so is nice and cheap to shoot--getting plenty of accuracy at typical slug distances.