So as I wait to amass the cash needed to get my .50 cal rifle out of layaway I have plenty of time to think about the next step. I am really more of a pistol type guy in all honesty so my interest lies in a small game and clay bird pistol of the smoothbore percussion persuasion in about 20 gauge or larger. Unfortunately it appears that no one makes such a thing. I wonder how such a terribly useful gadget could be so unobtainable...
I can think of a few ways to get what I want but would like your input on how to proceed.
- Put out big bucks for an original Howdah 16 gauge double. Not likely since I had to put a $60 rifle on layaway. [sheeze]
- Spend semi-serious $s to get the parts to create my own. With barrels alone running in the $100 range this seems a tough approach as well especially in light of the fact that I have no gun making experience.
- Get a percussion pistol kit and try to find a 20 to 12 gauge barrel (10 to 12 inch) that can be fitted to the existing lock work/bedding. A bit more affordable assuming that such a barrel could be found.
- Get a 54 or 58 caliber pistol and have my machinist friend bore out the rifling on his lathe. This is probably the most affordable approach. I am not sure how to determine how much wall thickness needs to remain. I assume that the boring would not have to go all the way to the breachplug but only far enough that the ball or shot would be in the larger area (powder charge could be in a section that had not been opened up thus leaving more strength around the threads of the breachplug).
- Try to remove the rifling myself with a cylinder hone. Certainly cheapest but I doubt my ability to get a uniform result.
Your recomendations?
mike
P.S. Due to safety issues I have already ruled out using 3/4" galvanized pipe to make my own. :haha:
I can think of a few ways to get what I want but would like your input on how to proceed.
- Put out big bucks for an original Howdah 16 gauge double. Not likely since I had to put a $60 rifle on layaway. [sheeze]
- Spend semi-serious $s to get the parts to create my own. With barrels alone running in the $100 range this seems a tough approach as well especially in light of the fact that I have no gun making experience.
- Get a percussion pistol kit and try to find a 20 to 12 gauge barrel (10 to 12 inch) that can be fitted to the existing lock work/bedding. A bit more affordable assuming that such a barrel could be found.
- Get a 54 or 58 caliber pistol and have my machinist friend bore out the rifling on his lathe. This is probably the most affordable approach. I am not sure how to determine how much wall thickness needs to remain. I assume that the boring would not have to go all the way to the breachplug but only far enough that the ball or shot would be in the larger area (powder charge could be in a section that had not been opened up thus leaving more strength around the threads of the breachplug).
- Try to remove the rifling myself with a cylinder hone. Certainly cheapest but I doubt my ability to get a uniform result.
Your recomendations?
mike
P.S. Due to safety issues I have already ruled out using 3/4" galvanized pipe to make my own. :haha: