How's it going guys? Very glad I listened to a member on a different forums advice to come here with some of my questions. My first thread ever got me set on the right track for acquiring a specialty sizing die in a short amount of time.
This is a project of mine that I've been working on for roughly 5 months. If you've never heard of this cartridge before, you're not alone. It's pretty obscure and has caused me some headaches (probably because I'm picky and over complicate things), but it is coming together! Basically, a 12 gauge from hell is a big bore rifle cartridge. It utilizes a 3.5" brass shotgun shell (mine are lathe turned and made by RMC) and a lot of slow burning rifle powder. This keeps pressure relatively low and increases velocity by a whole bunch. The cartridge is something truly to behold. Muzzle energy can be expected to be in the 8000 ft-lb+ realm with velocities for a 600 gr projectile at over 2000 fps. Best part is, it can still chamber and fire regular 12 gauge ammunition from any box store and be used on deer one day, to the largest of big game.
It requires a very strong and beefy firearm to handle this monster. I chose to use an H&R ultra slug as my base as it requires very little modification. From the factory the H&R is chambered at 3". The only thing required is to lengthen the chamber to 3.5", add a better pad, and increase the weight to help tame the ridiculous recoil energy. I opted to remove the scope rail (I don't feel like losing an eye) and install a peep sight made by Skinner and will have my smith install a front blade sight when he does my chamber work.
As of now I am awaiting a sizing die, chamber work, and an annealing machine so I can anneal my case mouths consistently. I am also having Lehigh defense make me a 1085 gr all copper extreme defender for use on big game (eventually) which is going to be interesting to say the least on both ends. I am so ready to touch this off it hurts!
Here are a few pictures of the gun and a dummy round loaded with a 600 gr fury slug. I will be sure to update this thread and post up my first time firing it as well as other folks giving it a shot(should be interesting, I'm 5'5" 145lbs).