BIT: 45LC through a 410 shotgun

[Weetabix]

I know that the Judge revolver lets you shoot 410 or 45LC through its impressive cylinder.

What would happen if you shot a 45LC through a 410 shotgun?

[SoupOrMan]

Chances are you'd get a .410-shattering kaboom. The pressures for the .410 are much lower than the ones generated by a .45LC cartridge.

[Fivetoes]

Not only is the pressure higher for a 45c, but you are trying to push a .452 slug thru a .410 hole at the higher pressure.
The guns that use both cartridges are designed to use the higher pressure and bore diameter.

[Weetabix]

That sounds like it has disaster written all over it.

[SoupOrMan]

[Channelling Johnnie Cochran] If the lead don't fit, the barrel will split! [/Channelling Johnnie Cochran]

[mousegun]

Stuff a .452 bullet down a .410 bore? Hmmmmmmm. Now try to pass that through the choke. Since most 410's are full choke, that means that you are trying to stuff a .452 bullet down a .395 choke. Hopefully you are using dead soft lead because if you aren't, the bullet will most likely not ever make it to the choke.

[workinwifdakids]

you are trying to push a .452 slug thru a .410 hole

That's what SHE said.


Really, though, I wondered the same thing - so, what did the Judge do to make this idea work?

[1911Man]

If you cut down the barrel behind the forcing cone and still have more than 18" of length*, you'll get around the issue Mousegun mentions. However, your still trying to force a .452 ball down a .41" hole.

I think that "Bad Idea" is a very accurate description of this. Because shotgun barrels tend to be soft (compared to rifle barrels) they will expand a little before they start to split. You might only get a barrel bulge, if you're lucky.

* If the barrel length is under 18" (18.5" to be safe), it's an NFA device and the ATF will not be nice to you for building such a device.

[Weetabix]

I have to admit I just assumed they were the same size.

I'm guessing the Judge puts a 410 shell in a cylinder sized for a 45LC, and the plastic shell on the 410 expands appropriately to fill the cylinder?

[SoupOrMan]

I think it has to do with the brass of the .410 and the .45 being similar enough to fit.