To start this off, I found some 18" rifle barrel inserts that fit in a shotgun a while back. I thought they were pretty cool and did a little research and decided to order a pair in 45/70 and a single in .22 Hornet. They are made by MCA Sports in Alaska, so the wait can be a little long. I kind of forgot I even ordered them to be honest.
Well they arrived early this morning after waiting for a few months for them to arrive, so I loaded some 45/70 loads to trap door pressures, grabbed my 12ga double barrel and single shot and headed to the local gun shop to look for some .22 hornet and then I was off to the range.
When I hit the range I couldn't wait to try the 45/70, so I slid the inserts in my double and set up some steel targets at 50yds. It was just awesome. I felt like I was on a mini safari with a double rifle. I could keep about a 3.5" 4 shot group on the steel without sights, and most of the spread was from the 2 barrels having different POI. And since the barrels are 20" from the shotgun muzzle, it seemed to quiet the blast a bit as well. I put 20 rounds through it in short order and was wishing I had brought more.
Then I slid the hornet barrel in my single and gave that a go. All I could say is wow. You can barely even hear the blast. It sounds like a muffled .22lr. Accuracy was decent, with about 2" groups with only a bead on the barrel. It would be perfect for short range pest control where noise is an issue. If there were actual sights instead of a bead, you could probably even reach 100yds with decent accuracy.
I have to say these inserts are a lot of fun, and only cost $100 a piece. I think the 45/70 double would make an excellent brush gun for close work of 60 yards and under, especially if used in a short barreled coach gun, and would be great with a red dot sight or at least some decent irons. I could see this having a place in hog hunting, and would offer great stopping power and a super fast follow up shot.
They were a pleasant surprise when they arrived today, as I had forgot I even ordered them. They worked better than I expected, and would make a good addition to anyone who carries an old shotgun in the truck. (farmers, ranchers?) I figured I would post about them as they are neat and don't cost much. They come in .410 through 12ga, in 2.75", 10" and 18" lengths and many other low pressure rounds as well.
You could even make some yourself if you had an old barrel and turned it down to fit in the shotgun bore, though since it's in a shotgun it's best used with low pressure rounds.
http://www.mcace.com/shotguninserts.htm
Well they arrived early this morning after waiting for a few months for them to arrive, so I loaded some 45/70 loads to trap door pressures, grabbed my 12ga double barrel and single shot and headed to the local gun shop to look for some .22 hornet and then I was off to the range.
When I hit the range I couldn't wait to try the 45/70, so I slid the inserts in my double and set up some steel targets at 50yds. It was just awesome. I felt like I was on a mini safari with a double rifle. I could keep about a 3.5" 4 shot group on the steel without sights, and most of the spread was from the 2 barrels having different POI. And since the barrels are 20" from the shotgun muzzle, it seemed to quiet the blast a bit as well. I put 20 rounds through it in short order and was wishing I had brought more.
Then I slid the hornet barrel in my single and gave that a go. All I could say is wow. You can barely even hear the blast. It sounds like a muffled .22lr. Accuracy was decent, with about 2" groups with only a bead on the barrel. It would be perfect for short range pest control where noise is an issue. If there were actual sights instead of a bead, you could probably even reach 100yds with decent accuracy.
I have to say these inserts are a lot of fun, and only cost $100 a piece. I think the 45/70 double would make an excellent brush gun for close work of 60 yards and under, especially if used in a short barreled coach gun, and would be great with a red dot sight or at least some decent irons. I could see this having a place in hog hunting, and would offer great stopping power and a super fast follow up shot.
They were a pleasant surprise when they arrived today, as I had forgot I even ordered them. They worked better than I expected, and would make a good addition to anyone who carries an old shotgun in the truck. (farmers, ranchers?) I figured I would post about them as they are neat and don't cost much. They come in .410 through 12ga, in 2.75", 10" and 18" lengths and many other low pressure rounds as well.
You could even make some yourself if you had an old barrel and turned it down to fit in the shotgun bore, though since it's in a shotgun it's best used with low pressure rounds.
http://www.mcace.com/shotguninserts.htm
