12GA FH--Hairy Shotgun/Rifle--

[hubel458]

We've tried it but don't like the mess.And with the
ones we found that do work we have good loads.
And we can get more power.

I have a way to compare primers without powder and slugs,
for a lot of my experimenting. I use a short 24"barrel 10ga.
The barrel being shorter I can see the sparks and flame.
I fire off the primers in case with no powder/slugs.

I have just tested to see if magnum FED Fusion and Triple 7
inline muzzleloading primers were as strong as FED 239.
Just the two brands to test in the 10ga to compare flame,
sparks and bang, and they were not as good as the 209
Remington STS ones I like. They only put a few sparks out
of the barrel.The REM 209 STS and Fed 209 M had 3" fire out the
barrel and the Fed 239 had about 5-6" out the barrel. And 8ga
Rem and Win kiln case hotrod primers 8" plus....

Previous post I mention trying to start H-BMG slow powder with
8ga kiln primers without success. Which is why we figured out
using a starter powder like 15gr Blue Dot. Then it works great
with any shotgun primer. Guys here when they see misfires with
shotgun primers and H-BMG only, and the see starter powder loads
go off in our big 12ga case like a tank cannon, they are
flabbergasted at the difference.ED

[hubel458]

I mentioned in the threads earlier a 16GA FH case
I made from bmg brass. Then I put it in a 16ga
Stevens 94 break action by lengthening chamber
for the 3.5" case. I kept speed and pressures down
as the regular barrel on the gun had a thin muzzle.
Now I found a thick heavy 16ga 32" alloy tube and
I had extra Enfield test action, with the port
opened for longer cases. I turned it 1.1" at the
muzzle. Nice and heavy. It does a 630gr 16ga
'Greg S' slug 2400 and 385 gr Lightfield 16ga slug
to 3000, without the bottom 2/3 of the case
having to be resized. With RE-17. I have these cases
setup for shotgun primers.The Lightfield has it own
seal on the locked on base and for the 630 gr use
a BPGS and Flexseal over powder.. Ed

[hubel458]

More info about the seal and cushion for 16ga
630 gr slug. Plastic seal works best.
It is a BPGS type seal, IE, a one way seal,
and a flex type cushion. The seal/cushion,
is the bottom part from a 16ga wad cup.
Like bottom of trap commander wad.Ed

[Winn R]

Ed -- What do you do when you're converting the primer on bmg brass?

[hcpookie]

If you mean converting the primer from BMG primers to 209 shotgun primers, you will need to drill out the primer hole, thread it for a 3/8 insert, and the threaded insert must be reamed and recessed to accept a 209 primer. Loctite the insert into place. Fairly simple conversion, really. You could use a 3/8" tube of proper thickness and ream it out. I used a 3/8" threaded rod and drilled out the middle. 6 one way, half-dozen the other. Point is you need to get a sleeve something in there to let the 209 primers fit.

On mine, I have determined that yes you can use 3/8 coarse threads, you don't *need* it to be fine threads. There is enough bite on a BMG case for the coarse threads to hold. Fine threads would give more surface area to bite, and would probably be better in the long run.

[Winn R]

Thanks Jerry!

[hcpookie]

No problem Winn! I am developing the process for converting the shells AND converting some old, obsolete reloading equipment for 12 GFH reloading. It looks promising, so more people should be able to get into it relatively cheap.

Unfortunately my 12 GFH project is *seriously* back-burner... Real Life has really derailed my hobby time this last year! I haven't even had my chamber reamed yet. I plan to give this project some real attention once I get my tax return.


Ed, what I would like to know if anyone has made a reamer they could rent out? I don't mind doing the chamber work myself!

[hubel458]

JGS sell a reamer for long cases made to Rob's specs.
IE a minimum chamber for the thinner mouth brass.
I made my chambers with lathe tools.
Here is picture the CBC 20ga FH setup
by mono-blocking a heavy 20 ga barrel
into a CBC 12ga breech section.The 20 heavy
barrel is threaded into the mono-block made
by cutting off 12ga barrel. These CBC actions
are taller and wider than other break actions
and the locking lug block works better and
nicer than other break actions.Also shown
is 20ga 3.5" plastic and brass cases.
Second picture is PH action with port lengthened
for 585HSM, shown in action. I also have second
change barrel for 700HE long case for this action.
Imagine over 20,000 ft lbs in a PH, for 700HE.
Also shown behind is a PH with 700H 3.25"..Ed

[hubel458]

Here are some 20ga slugs/sabots we rigged up.
I traded for whole box(hundreds) of 20ga Hammerhead
slugs, in the picture. They had pulled slugs
out of the locked on plastic base, so I glue them
back in so base stays for fair smoothbore accuracy.
And I also glued in various 458 bullets, as shown,
which fit tight in cup, up to 500gr. They discard
on impact. Fair accuracy at 50-70 yds. Less expensive
shooting as I have pile of hard lead 458 slugs.

Idea on 8ga FH. Looked at a TCR87 break action 10ga
and the breach mono-block can take a little bigger
barrel.If I find one I can afford(pricey) I'll do 8ga.
These are very strong actions, a little smaller version
of the action setup Colin put the 2bore in.
Just put in straight 8ga bull barrel like NEF Ultra.ED

[hubel458]

Here is picture of the 4bore in a more finished look.
Second picture is closeup of cases and 1520 gr
hollowbase hard slugs. The 4bore is smooth bore so
hollowbase slugs are used. I set up gun with
smoothbore as that saved large amount of time and
money on the barrel. Ed