Trapdoor 45/70 help

Ok. I have called everyone and everywhere about reboring my 45/70 trapdoor barrel to either 28ga or 20ga. The gun was acquired already sporterized so keeping it original I don’t care about. Know one seems to have the tooling. I know on a whim you can shoot 410 in a 45/70 but they say the brass expands badly. So here’s my theory, can I put a thin piece of brass tube around the 410 base to take up some circumference so that it fits the chamber better? Will it be safe if I load 1/3” less 410 spec loads? Yes I want to make it some kind of shotgun. I want to use what I have. I know all about the poor patterning. Any ideas? I contacted jes reboring. They can bore to about whatever but the have no means to Shotgun chamber reamers. What says the hive. Thank you all?

The US Army made up foragers, i.e. 20 gauge shotguns, on the trapdoor action. No reason you can't. Have someone bore the barrel and rent a reamer.

I've lusted for an original forager since I saw one as a kid I just can't bring myself to spend that kind of money on something I would shoot maybe once every few years.

Keep us posted and post pictures.

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Originally Posted by elk hunter

The US Army made up foragers, i.e. 20 gauge shotguns, on the trapdoor action. No reason you can't. Have someone bore the barrel and rent a reamer.

I've lusted for an original forager since I saw one as a kid I just can't bring myself to spend that kind of money on something I would shoot maybe once every few years.

Keep us posted and post pictures.

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Will do. Yes jes reboring said they can bore to just about anything. But they don’t have the tools to Ream. I wonder if I can find one to rent and then send it to them? Hmmmmm

Why not put 410 loads in 45 70 brass? You would want to see what pressure 410's are loaded to, then check 45 70's pressures. I doubt there is much difference. Plastic 410 wads and a card over shot wad should do it.

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Originally Posted by gunther

Why not put 410 loads in 45 70 brass? You would want to see what pressure 410's are loaded to, then check 45 70's pressures. I doubt there is much difference. Plastic 410 wads and a card over shot wad should do it.

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Wanted to use 209 primers. Large rifle primers are platnium prices!

The guy you need to talk to is Robert Hoyt in Fairfield PA. He is set up to do all manner of interesting things to Trapdoor rifles.

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Originally Posted by Nobade

The guy you need to talk to is Robert Hoyt in Fairfield PA. He is set up to do all manner of interesting things to Trapdoor rifles.

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I just found his info. Thank you. I’ll give him a try. I’ve contacted Redmans already and they were like ummm no!!!

I have the bore reamer with choke for 28 and 20 gauge, also have the chamber reamers. I do not loan or rent out my tools.

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Originally Posted by John Taylor

I have the bore reamer with choke for 28 and 20 gauge, also have the chamber reamers. I do not loan or rent out my tools.

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Would you bore and ream for me? Name your price!

$200 plus return shipping.

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Originally Posted by John Taylor

$200 plus return shipping.

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Message sent.

Think I finally found some one to bore and chamber ream. Fingers crossed. Thank you to all that replied with great ideas or suggestions! Thank you JT!