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Overbored barrels work well only if the plastic wad seal or plastic gas check being used seals the bore well. Most of the recent 12 and 20 ga. plastic wad designs have a gas seals supple enough, strong enough, and generous enough to seal even very overbored barrels. However, some of the oldest wad designs still being used today won't seal very overbored barrels well. The oldest Remington wad designs like the SP/RP series have minimal gas seals which work well only in standard or minimally overbored barrels. I have my doubts about the older European plastic wad designs in this respect as well.

This problem especially applies to the 16 gauge, because much of the industry regards the gauge as obsolete. Modernized 16 ga ammo designs and reloading components are far scarcer. So it is wise to carefully choose the ammo or reloading components to be used in very overbored barrels. Otherwise, we may just end up spinning our wheels.

Two steps closer. I was told my gun may be ready before Christmas. Briley received my Superposed to 16ga chamber sleeve it on October 15.

I consulted with Tom Armbrust today. He is onboard with this project. He was also concerned with the need for a good seal from a 16ga load in a 12ga tube. As we talked and I told him Rocky Mountain Cartridge is making my 3 inch brass hulls. He told me if I can have them make a thin wall shell, I could use a 12ga wad in my 16ga hull that will perform well. I called RMC and explained the project with Tom's suggestion. Tom and Kody at RMC agreed to modify my original order and make me some ultra thin 16ga brass shells that will hold a 12ga wad.

Tom Armbrust also told me the theory is solid. The 12ga receiver will easily handle the 3 inch 16ga heavy loads. He further explained to me that the 16ga shot column will have little or no friction in my 12ga tubes increasing velocity. He also said the 16ga shells will produce lower pressure in the larger volume 12ga tubes. Since we are in uncharted territory with load data I am very relieved to have Tom Armbrust testing pressure and working on my loads.

Magtech brass will fit a 12ga Clay Buster orange AA clone. I modify the primer pocket for a 209 and use this wad and Longshot in my 16ga browning Citoris . Gives a good pattern about 1.5 choke bigger than the tube in the muzzle so its a good first shot for the close bird over dogs.

16 ga. Citori bores measure between .667"-.670" in diameter, at least all the ones I've ever miked. This is a bit overbore in comparison to a standard 16 ga bore diameter but not anywhere near A 12 ga bore diameter.

Further, I've never had any bore seal problems with any 16 ga plastic wad ever in any of my 16 ga Citori bores. I've even successfully used Federal 20S1 20 ga wads in them for some of my 3/4 and 7/8 ounce, 16 ga. loads w/o any bore seal problems (this was prior to the time we group ordered the Remington R1 wads and long before the Down Range wad was offered).

I fail to see the reasoning why anyone would use a 12 ga. plastic wad in any 16 ga bore. It is unnecessary and maybe a bit reckless. A well designed 16 ga spreader load w/ a Polywad insert would be a wiser choice and a safer one for close in shots IMO. I've used them to good effect for years. Just saying.

the wad is made of something called plastic

...and trying to safely stuff a 12 ga plastic wad through a 16 ga steel barrel fired from a load charged with progressive burning smokeless powder only makes sense to a brain made of something called concrete. Laughing

morngstar,

I have heard of ridiculous projects and this one ranks right up there with the most ridiculous. Basically you have had your 12 gauge re-sleeved for a 16 Gauge chamber and then opened up the brass hull to fit a 12 gauge wad?

If you want a 3" 16 Gauge fine, but you are using all 12 gauge components in basically a 12 gauge hull, shotgun and bore, what does that have to do with the 16 Gauge? Rolling Eyes

Super Sixteen or Stupid Sixteen or How To Throttle Down a Perfectly Good 12 Gauge???

If you hadn't noticed this is 16ga.com.......not 12gaugewetdreams.com that's over on Shotgun World in the reloading forum. Laughing

Joined: 12 Sep 2010 Posts: 1973 Location: Maine

Here are the brass shells I load using smokless powder and a 209 primer I make the closure myself.

[URL=http://s1110.photobucket.com/user/byrdog1/media/006-1.jpg.html]

Great looking ammo and I especially like the
over bore over shot wad, should really hold all in place.

Happy Thanksgiving

Mike

the key is contact cement ,when I push in the wad with a dowel I can put pressure on the shot and the wad stays where I put it.

Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 218

Morningstar - I applaud the effort no matter what the result . I LIKE having stuff that is off the mainpath . (ergo my solid frame/takedown 97- figure that one out ) By the way of encouragement , one of our writers psyched out another old poster , and the DR was invented ... Same writer MUST shoot trap with about 1/2 his buddies shooting overbore trap guns - no worries about the loads working !

Thanks, I look forward to posting the results good, bad or ugly. My research suggests a positive outcome. If it does not produce the anticipated advantages, it will still be fun to own and shoot a 3" 16ga. Browning Superposed.

I sent the gun to Briley the second week in October. I was hoping it would be back by Christmas. The report from Briley last week was, "the gunsmith has it checked out of the vault and is working on it." I am patiently waiting.