Hello,
Let me tell you about my first gun. I still have it. It is a Steves 311 in 20 gauge. (side by side). I got it many years ago, when Wards still sold guns out of the catalog. Heck, when Wards was still around. Deal is I just do not use it anymore. And being my first, I can not bear to part with it. And, because of who I am, I just do not like things I don't use lying around.
Well lately I have been looking at Savage 24F combo guns, and I just am not quite ready to commit to one, due to the calibers of the rifle barrel.

So, how bad of a gunsmith project would it be to take the 311, and install a "liner" that could make one barrel a 17-223 or a 17 Rem? Could a gunsmith do this?

Also adapt some form of scopebase, probably a weaver base to the top of the barrels. And whichever barrel gets converted, have the corresponding trigger tuned up.

Right now, I am thinking of only doing one barrel. I have heard horror stories of double rifles that do not shoot to the same POI. Also I like the rifle/shotgun thing. And the 311 would be a better platform, due to the double trigger, no cross-safety, no funny "single-selector-hammer"

So is this feasable? Is the action strong enough?

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Safety & Ethics,Accuracy, Velocity, Energy
Joe M

There are some very sophisticated inserts available to turn shotguns into rifles (or sub-caliber inserts).

Ross Seyfried wrote about them in a recent RIFLE magazine.

There are adjustable sights which can be attached to a shotgun rib. If your 311 has a solid rib, they'd have to be brazed or screwed on.

It's going to cost more than the shotgun did, so why not just retire it or give it to a young shooter just starting out?

George

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Shoot straight, shoot often, but by all means, use enough gun!

George,
Can you elaborate more on the article by Ross? I dont get Rifle and do not know anybody that does. I spoke with a local gunsmith, and he quoted a price of 1000 bucks. He said he would have to sweat the insert in after turning it on the lathe.

The whole thing here is I am trying to fullfil several ideas in one firearm. Coyote (and general predator) hunting can give you animals either in the open or in cover. They can be either running in hi gear, or standing still. So to be adequately covered, I was thinking that a rifle/shotgun combo-gun would be just the thing, having one round of each at the ready. Because that second round is usually a prayer anyway....

The second idea is that I would like a little something in 17 Rem, or even better, the 17-223 wildcat. Have just gotten snake-fascinated with the 17 bore.

So I started shopping. Savage makes a over/under BUT it is the most "boring" thing in the world. You have your pick of rifle calibers, 22rf, 223Rem, or 30-30 Win. Scratch both the first and last, and you are left with the 223, which is OK, but not nearly as fur-friendly as the 17.

Ideally, I would have a 17/12 3" or 3 1/2"

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Safety & Ethics,Accuracy, Velocity, Energy
Joe M

There use to be acompany that made drop in inserts I wouldn't go with a perment one. All you need to do his have some one turn a barrel blank down use o rings to center it and have the chamber end a very close fit. extactor well take a little work.

Hello Joe

I had my 24V rebored 6mm with 9.5" twist, now 6X45mm or 6mm-223. It also got the point of aim closer for the two barrels, by accident. Just a thought...

Tom