Hello All,

Does anyone have the case dimensions for a 20-bore brass shell? I've got a 600 Express Double Rifle (conversion) on its way and could use some info.

Magtech 20 ga empty brass is 2.5" lomg.

Rim .760"....Base .693"....Moutn .675''

If sized down to fit 20ga or 600 slugs mouthe will be

smaller by about .040"...Ed

Hello hubel458,

Thank you for your reply.

I'm in the process of acquiring what the guy calls a "600 Express" conversion to a 10ga shotgun. I'm trying to ascertain the difference between it, and the 600 nitro express.

I should mention that if they used RMC brass cases its

size at the mouth is same as plastic 20ga shells.

It would be .675" mouth loaded. AS RMC makes the

sided full thicknes to matvh plastivc. Ed

Hello hubel458,

Thanks for the reply.

I'm not really sure what I'm buying and what the former owner used for components. I understand the barrels are German made by Lothar-Walther in 600NE.

When I called Walther to inquire about their 600NE barrels, they told me they were "sold out" and won't have any until someone orders 25 or more. If, and when, that happens they will cost about $450 each.

I was looking to find the specs for their 600 barrels, i.e., number and dimensions of lands and grooves.

So, I'm kind of buying blind on this one. Apparently it comes with 3 molds and dies and some brass from both Magtech and RMC.

Do you have any specs on Walther 600NE barrels?

Only thing I know is they are scarce, and are expensive. By the time you

get them imported, pay fees, etc, the total cost for each will be more than

one of my 585 barrels, a hundred 585 HE cases, and 585 HE die set,

all together..Ed

OK .... here is what I've got. Its a 1959 Spanish Zabala 10 gauge. It appears to be a higher grade than usual evidenced by the name ZABALA being inlaid in "Gold" around the pivot. It has been converted into a 600 Express Double Rifle, with Lothar-Walther 600 NE barrel inserts.

Barrels are 24-1/2" long
Weight is 12 lbs 11 oz

Reloading Dies, Molds, Brass, Bullets, etc, have not arrived yet.

Anyone have any suggestions on where to start?

Comments are welcome.

Im sure you can get 600 Barrels from Pac Nor ,but they wont export them here ,so i got two from Walther ,they were not cheap, but beggars cant be choosers as they were the only 600 barrels i could get , there should be the info on the Walther. Website

quote:

Originally posted by buckstix:
Hello hubel458,

Thanks for the reply.

Not really sure what I'm buying and what they used for components. I understand the barrels are German made by Lothar Walther in 600NE.

When I called Walther to inquire about their 600NE barrels, they told me they were "sold out" and won't have any until someone orders 25 or more. If and when that happens, they will cost $450 each.

I was looking to find the specs for their 600 barrels, i.e., number and dimensions of lands and grooves.

So, I'm kind of buying blind on this one. Apparently it comes with 3 molds and some brass from both Magtech and RMC.

Do you have any info on Walther 600NE barrels?

When you get the cases they use. then post

measurements and we'll tell you what you have

and where to find more.Ed

that should be fun.

A gunsmith here did one of the Tradewind 10gauge SxS Paradox Rifle conversions for me.

It is a tremendous amount of pleasure shooting roundballs at 1600 +/-fps with a couple hundred grains of one-eff or 777.

Hello Idaho Sharpshooter,

Thanks for the reply.

So is your paradox double a 10ga? What do your round balls weigh?

If it's a 10-bore, balls should weigh 700 grains.
Cal

Hello hubel458,

Well, I finally got the go-along stuff for the 20-bore conversion rifle.

The cases are RMC 3" 20 gauge, thick wall.

There are 2 molds, one is a .620 dia 650g and the other is a .621 dia 700g.

There are also lots of 20 ga 1/2" fiber wads, and about 10 feet of 5/8" foam backing rod.

Unfortunately, there is no loading data.

Got any suggestions?

With that weight of slugs loading them out aa far as the case
will hold them, usually level with top groove of the
slug, use one wad, and all the RE17 it will hold
under the wad. If kicks too hard use two wads, less powder.

Shotgun primers will ignite RE17 fine
and with that powder your caes will expand the least
giving the greatest speed. The RMC brass if it gets
expanded from using faster powders are pain to size.Ed

Hello hubel458,

Thanks for the reply. What kind of velocities would you expect with such a load?

I have been using AA5744 for most of my other big-bore loads. Do you have any experience with that powder?

No experience with that powder. You should get those heavy

slugs, by that I mean heavy for 20ga, and break actions,

to about 1600 with RE17 max load. But I tell guys that best

weight slugs in shotgun break action guns are 1 oz/440gr in 20ga

and 610 gr in 12ga. Due to stock design, etc. And easier to keep

pressures from expanding RMC cases too much. Ed.

If your getting expansion of that RMC turned brass you are probably getting close to 35KPSI. Be careful as turned brass won't take much more than that. I think eds suggestion of RE17 is spot on with 440 gr RB. It will be interesting to see how well it regulates with barrel inserts. Are they soldered in place?-Rob

Hello hubel458,

Thanks for the reply. I'll keep you posted. Not much going to happen until next week.

Hello Robgunbuilder,

Thanks for the reply.

I'm told the inserts are secured with JB-Weld - front and back. I too am interested to see how it shoots.

quote:

I'm told the inserts are secured with JB-Weld - front and back. I too am interested to see how it shoots.

Don't get it to hot than

Hello p dog shooter,

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, I understand, not too hot.

Apparently the regulation is accomplished by warming the barrels at the muzzle to soften the JB Weld, and inserting brass shims between the sleeves and the barrels.

Sounds kind of "Hoky" but apparently it works.

We'll see next week.

I just made 25 .620 750 gr solid brass Crayola tip bullets if you want to see what the gun will really do. I'd probably load 80-90 gr of Re17 and move up watching the cases. Let me know if you want some. Can't get over the JB weld regulation method though! I would have soldered and used brass rods and a torch to regulate.-Rob

I would like to know on this conversion,I have
A big Spanish made 10 which I would like to have made in a rifled slug gun double can anyone help?

Hello big will,

Contact "birdhunter50" on this site - He does 10ga sxs conversions to 20ga double rifles.

wideners had RE-17 last time i checked.

Well, I finally bought some RE-17. Anyone care to suggest a starting load for 650g Hawk or 690g lead bullets?

I plan on using backing-rod foam as a filler as I have done with the 5744 loads.

Start out with 90gr RE17 and foam filler or wads,

leave no air space. If cases extract ok and don't

show sharp expansion, go up 5 gr at a time.If you

can stand recoil. In 3.5" RMC cases we get up to

120gr with 650 gr bullet/slugs...Ed

Hello hubel458,

Thank you for the reply.

Thanks for the data.

Yesterday I tried 70g RE-17 with a 690g lead bullet and got 1000 fps. Recoil was almost non-existant in the 12.8 pound gun - and there was no case expansion at all.

I've next loaded 80g to try today, and will work my way up as you suggest. I'll post some targets, if / when I get something worth sharing.

I watch with interest, for my 2.75" Connecticut RBL Double, and my 3.5" Ruger No.1.
Got RMC 20ga brass for both.
RL 17 is great in the 12ga FH 3.85" as coached by Ed. +1400 grainers there.
180 grain charges ignite reliably with a shotgun primer.

Well,

I think I've gone as far as I care to go with this project. I've been smitten by the 600 fairy, so I'm going to put this up for sale on Gun Broker and use the money to shop for a real 600 NE.

I'll let you know what I come up with.

Maybe slower powder with more volume RL22?
Nitro

quote:

Originally posted by buckstix:
Well,

I think I've gone as far as I care to go with this project. I've been smitten by the 600 fairy, so I'm going to put this up for sale on Gun Broker and use the money to shop for a real 600 NE.

I'll let you know what I come up with.

Hello nitro450exp.

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, RL22 was going to be my next test, until I decided to go after a "real" 600 Nitro Express and pass this one along to someone else wanting to explore the 600 world.

Afterall, it got me hooked.