Today I called the BATFE and had a talk with one of their enforcement officers and found out some interesting info. First of all I will concede that those of you who said that changing a T/C from rifle to pistol are breaking the law according to the agent. He would not, however, give me information as to what would be probable cause for checking this out if someone was seen with a T/C pistol and to whether or not it was originally a rifle receiver or not. I don't know if he could not, or would not give the info. He did tell me that if I put it in writing to another person (can't remember their name) that they would send me an answer in writing.
Now comes the more interesting part of the discussion. Keep in mind that this was an agent and I don't know if what he said is his interpretation or the law, I guess you would have to get it in writing.
The discussion went into NFA firearms and manufacturing and possession, what parts constitute an NFA weapon and so forth.
We talked about destructive devices which is anything over .50 caliber that has a rifled barrel. I asked about the NE cartridges and he said that they can be bigger than .50, but you have to get approval from them if you make a new weapon that is above .50. Now comes the part that sort of startled me. You can make any cartridge you want over .50, an example necking the 505 Gibbs up to take a .510 bullet, but if you make a rifle for it and do not have the proper license to manufacture a destructive device, then you are in violation of the law unless that cartridge has been approved.
So the problem is, that a "hobby" gunsmith could very well break the law (without intent, lol) and still be in a lot of trouble. Take a NE cartridge, neck it up or down to above .50, chamber/build a rifle for it without approval and you may be in for the shock of you life.
Again, not sure if what he said was true, and I did go back to the site to search, and found out that most of what he said was reflected on the official site. Just something to ponder.

That is why we get non-shotgun caliber
cartridges exempted from DD and approved for
sporting use whether it is me
or jeffe, or Neal, or SSK, or AHR,
etc. And we all have it in writing.
Shotgun calbers in the same
section of the law are exempted.Ed

PS-Example you give, 505" groove to 510" groove
on the 505 gibbs wouldn't be a DD as the powers go
by the bore diameter, not groove and it would only be
a .500" bore at a .510" groove.

That's why I always ask for a written statement whenever I talk to anyone in the government for a professional opinion.

You'd be surprised on how different that written statement would be from what the guy said on the phone.

Ed:
Those of you who are in the know, so to speak, do it the proper way. I was gearing this warning, if you will, to those who might think it would be interesting to take a 577 NE and neck it down to .510 and rebarrel a Ruger No 1, or something similar, to this new cartridge. They unknowingly could be in a heap of trouble. I like all the designs I have read about here and especially the 416 AR.
Again this was just a public service announcement to try and help people stay out of trouble.

If you necked it to 510" groove your all
right as you have a .500" bore.Which
is what they go by.We all here have
related the process to others as much as
possible, to help them out also..ED

Alan- Your new here. Frankly we know all about this. I make my living working with the government and always get EVERYTHING in writing! We have worked with BATFE to obtain all the proper designations and written exemptions on the 550 Magnum and the .600Ok for example. Been there and done that-Rob

Talking to a field agent is a waste of time in my opinion because their answer has no bearing in a court of law(it neither helps or hinders you from prosecution) the only real answer is a written letter to BATFE Tech Branch and the return letter you receive from them. And even this isn't a sure fire defense, because one Tech agent may give a completely different answer from another to the same question, what the letter does do though is prove intent. They may come back at a later time and try to prosecute you for what you have built, but when it gets to court you have proof in hand that you made every reasonable effort to abide by the law and sought clarification from the proper authority before pursuing any manufacturing of a potentially illegal or restricted item.

Colin

quote:

Originally posted by AlanFaulkner:
Ed:
Those of you who are in the know, so to speak, do it the proper way. I was gearing this warning, if you will, to those who might think it would be interesting to take a 577 NE and neck it down to .510 and rebarrel a Ruger No 1, or something similar, to this new cartridge. They unknowingly could be in a heap of trouble. I like all the designs I have read about here and especially the 416 AR.
Again this was just a public service announcement to try and help people stay out of trouble.

btw, that round would be called the 577/500 3.25 magnum, and is a bit over 100 years old ... more or less

.500 BORE is the law.

and the guys in the techincal depart are pretty easy to deal with

and there's a list of sporting rounds that are greater than .500 bore... though the rifle ALSO has to be sporting..

that is to say, you want your things designated as sporting rounds.. not a sporting expeption of a DD

Rob:
As pointed out in my original post, I aimed this more at the "hobby" gunsmith who may not know all the rules.
I realize I am new here and that all the verterans and professionals already know this as I have read posts about getting approval on a new cartridge.
If I offended you in any way I apologize, this was not aimed at those who already know and understand the rules.

no one is offended.. and thanks for posting.. its good to remind folks from time to time

Ditto- not offended at all. just saying we are all quite aware of the regs.