I've thought about finding a Greener GP falling block action for a 12 bore. The action is a massive forging and was used for 303 British as well as 12 bore rifles in the past, so it could certainly be loaded a bit hotter than a double shotgun. I sure agree that high pressure loads in a shotgun are risky. That being said, there are black powder and smokeless loads around for paradox guns (rifled only at muzzle) that will still throw a big chunk of lead at 1200 fps or so. A back issue of the Double Gun Journal had an article on old black powder loads in 12, 10 and 8 bore rifles, some holding 7 to 9 drams of black powder. The author talked about the relatively high pressure of these rounds. Interestingly, if I am remembering correctly, many of the bore rifles used black powder and paper cases. Anybody know anything about the ability of these paper cases at bore rifle pressures with black powder? Bob

Bobc-There is a Greener shotgun called the GP, a Martini type action, that Greener made for just for 12ga.I have one. It won't take the 12GA FH full length, but will feed
a 3 inch long case.I am going to make an oversize version
of the GP with a front locking lug feature
for the 12ga FH barrel I have coming.The GP with 12GA FH
brass cases shortened to 3 inches, and a heavy barrel will take 15-25,000 psi.Ed.

Hubel

I don't know who sells them now. I would guess Browning as they make the A-Bolt Rifle. The shotgun looks exactly like the A bolt Rifle and works the same as the A-Bolt Rifle as well. I have always wondered why so many people were offering me so much money for that shotgun, and now that you tell me you can't find it anywhere I now know why.

Kevin

I believe maximum working pressure for SAAMI 12 gaguge is in the neighborhood of 10000 PSI.

Sounds to me like this guy needs to experiment with slug loads.

MOST such contraptions use the root of the bolt handle for a locking lug! These won't hold much beyond the pressure of a regular shotshell! If he wants to use a big heavy slug in one of these weakies, use no more than a medium charge of black powder or BP substitute to keep pressures low!



If he's planning to use a BA shotgun that has front locking lugs like a modern Browning A-Bolt, then he'd need to contact the maker about his ideas! In one of these, I'd suspect barrel/chamber wall thickness would be the limiting factor, not breech strength.

Eldeguello-- If an A-Bolt shotgun has the length for
our experimental 12GA FH, along with front locking lugs, I
would put a heavy barrel on if is has a light one.I am thinking possibilities of 35,000 psi with our brass and a heavy barrel.I have got to find one and eyeball it or
find good pictures and schematics...Ed.

So, no one knows anything about Savages' shotgun?
I guess I could call them, but something tells me they won't be too interested in this sort of misuse.

Bwana--Looked up shotguns in Digest.Savages 210 shotgun
is a front locking model, looking like 110 rifles..It is 60 degree bolt lift like Browning A-bolt shotgun.There
is a scarce bolt 12 ga Tarhunt
RSG12 , a front locker also with two lugs.The Marlin 512
that most of us have seen is a bolt handle lug. There is a Mossberg 695 and Maverick 95 ,and by looking, I can't
tell weather they are front lockers, though they look much stronger than Marlin.Oh, the Savage is CRF so the book says.
These all have possibilities for some serious power with
thick barrels and heavy brass cases..Ed.

Bwana--Looked up shotguns in Digest.Savages 210 shotgun
is a front locking model, looking like 110 rifles..It is 60 degree bolt lift like Browning A-bolt shotgun.Listed also
is a scarce bolt 12 ga Tarhunt
RSG12 , a front locker also with two lugs.The Marlin 512
that most of us have seen is a bolt handle lug. There is a Mossberg 695 and Maverick 95 ,and by looking, I can't
tell weather they are front lockers, though they look much stronger than Marlin.Oh, the Savage is CRF so the book says.
These all have possibilities for some serious power with
thick barrels and heavy brass cases..Ed.

Thanks, Ed.
Not sure if I like having you on my side.
A bit scary.

Well, this is sure going to be an interesting project..... Let us know what happens!!