Convert Shotgun Barrel for T/C Renegade

[rlm5]

I have an old 12 gauge shotgun barrel and was wondering if I could convert it to a muzzle loading shotgun for my T/C Renegade and if so what size breech plug would I need. I'm thinking it should not be too much of a problem. Thanks Roger

[retired fella]

I was waiting for someone more versed than I concerning your situation.  I believe you would be risking life and limb if you would be doing this yourself.  I don't think you would be able to get enough meat  in the threads to make it safe to shoot.

[L. Akers]

A 7/8-14 thread should work for you.  Take a look at William Brockway's book Recreating the Double Barreled Muzzleloading Shotgun.  He shows how to make the plug and thread the breech.  You have to thread the chamber so don't cut it off!

[crankshaft]

 would the  chamber & forcing cone cause issues with a patched round ball ? ?

[frogwalking]

I would certainly think the chamber must be cut from your barrel.  Its safety is at least partially determined by how thick the barrel is at the front of the chamber.  I have made a caplock shotgun from a modern barrel, but I bought one un-chambered from Numrich corporation.  It was very thick in the breech area so it could be turned to fit many different guns.  What you are proposing has many potential problems including the outside diameter fitting existing stock. the bolster/nipple area if it is a caplock and flat side with vent if flintlock.  The remaining barrel thickness at the breech end after it is filed to fit the stock, the under rib and thimbles and such and so fourth.  If I were going to do that, I would start with an octagon that would fit the stock, and have it bored put to the desired shotgun gauge, after I determined what kind of breechplug would fit my gun.  It would be easier to simply make a shotgun, me thinks.  Note:  I am an amateur and not officially any sorto f expert.

[B Staley]

Why not try and find a smooth bore drop in barrel for a Renegade. The one I have is a 28 gauge, they come up for sale now and then.

[Roger B]

I've seen this done with a modern barrel.  Cut the lugs and anything else left hanging on and thread the chamber.  Your breech plug will likely be substantial enough to deal with a drum and nipple set up with safety if you cut a powder chamber in your plug and thread the drum into it.  Just make sure that the drum rests against the cut out for it in the lock.  The barrel we used was a full choke and shot great shot patterns, but we never tried a round ball out of it.  Trying to brown nickel steel was a lot of fun though.
Roger B. 

[Hadden West]

I bought an unfired Armi-Sport smooth bore barrel at the flea market, for $10. I didn't know if it would fit or not. I had to mill the small cut in the snail to fit over the lock plate and rotate the wedge plate 180 degrees to get the wedge pin to fit. It is a .62 choked smooth bore. Just in case anyone wonders if an Armi-Sport barrel will fit a Renegade. Not bad for $10. and 15 minutes work.

[knifemaker3]

If you are going to attempt this yourself definitely purchase Recreating the Double Barreled Muzzleloading Shotgun book. It will tell you all you need to know to convert a modern shotgun barrel into a muzzlestuffer for flint or percussion.

Basically you will need to create a plug that fits all the way into and matches the forcing cone.  You will also drill a powder chamber into the breech plug so all or most of your powder will be in the plug which will create enough strength to handle the pressures.

GET THE BOOK!

[Daryl]

Yes - get the book.

Taylor did and this was the result.





Here's one Cody built.

[ScottH]

It is probably possible. I would think it would be a lot of work and probably never fit in the stock inlet all that well in the end.

IMHO:
I think if I wanted a shotgun Renegade as my goal, I would keep my eyes open for a neglected Renegade barrel in either .50 or .54 and buy it cheap. Then I'd send it to Bobby Hoyt and have him bore out the rusty bore to a smooth bore of the gauge you want or as close as you can get to that gauge that is still safe with a 1" across the flats octagon barrel.

[Daryl]

Scott hit a home run with this one.

[Hungry Horse]

Isn't the New Englander shotgun barrel closer to Renagade dimintions than a repurposed modern shotgun barrel? A couple of years ago there were New Englander barrels at every black powder event.

  Hungry Horse

[rlm5]

Thanks for all the replies and ideas. I've been looking for some time for a New Englander shotgun barrel with no luck. I like the Idea of boring out an old rifle barrel. I don't want to go any smaller than 16 gauge what size rifle barrel would I need and again it needs to fit a Renegade. I had an old barrel laying around and wanted to make good use of it so I have not invested any money in this project.    Roger