Author Topic: 600 Nitro Express in a Handi? (Read 2304 times)

tykempster · « **on:** June 10, 2009, 05:25:42 PM »

There's some discussion on another forum of Savage's new 20 gauge slug gun. Opening the bolt face has you a sweet 600 NE. Could I do the same with a 20 gauge Ultra Slug Hunter? Just run the reamer and it would remove a minimal amount of metal, 45k max pressure.

600 Nitro has a .620 bore, I assume thats what the Handi has as well. It looks like it can do 900 grain bullets at 2200 fps, but that is MUCH more than I would be able to handle out of a 9 lb Handi. That's 250+ lbs of recoil. BUT, if I upped the weight to 12 lbs and shot 1040 grain cast bullet at 1600 fps it would be just under 150 ft lbs. Up the weight to 15 lbs and it's only 118 ft lbs. Now how would I go about doing all that extra weight?

Also, I would need some way to attach sights. No way I'm putting a chunk of metal within 5 inches of my eyebrow with this recoil. Any idea how this could be done? Then I would need some EXPENSIVE dies and a press that accepts those big dies. But I've heard of people reaming out the threads on a Lee Classic Turret and it working fine so I think I would be ok there.

Any ideas or sound words of advice?

mechanic · « **Reply #1 on:** June 10, 2009, 05:29:04 PM »

Quote from: tykempster on June 10, 2009, 05:25:42 PM

There's some discussion on another forum of Savage's new 20 gauge slug gun. Opening the bolt face has you a sweet 600 NE. Could I do the same with a 20 gauge Ultra Slug Hunter? Just run the reamer and it would remove a minimal amount of metal, 45k max pressure.

600 Nitro has a .620 bore, I assume thats what the Handi has as well. It looks like it can do 900 grain bullets at 2200 fps, but that is MUCH more than I would be able to handle out of a 9 lb Handi. That's 250+ lbs of recoil. BUT, if I upped the weight to 12 lbs and shot 1040 grain cast bullet at 1600 fps it would be just under 150 ft lbs. Up the weight to 15 lbs and it's only 118 ft lbs. Now how would I go about doing all that extra weight?

Also, I would need some way to attach sights. No way I'm putting a chunk of metal within 5 inches of my eyebrow with this recoil. Any idea how this could be done? Then I would need some EXPENSIVE dies and a press that accepts those big dies. But I've heard of people reaming out the threads on a Lee Classic Turret and it working fine so I think I would be ok there.

Any ideas or sound words of advice?

Good Lord, just get somebody to hit you with a sledge hammer and save some money!

Default · « **Reply #2 on:** June 10, 2009, 11:05:15 PM »

"Now how would I go about doing all that extra weight?" Hmmmm Duct Tape And A Cinder block ??

Do let us know if this turns out to be possible tyke... Could be interesting . if for no other reason then to hear about how you dislocated your shoulder

Default

chipmunk · « **Reply #3 on:** June 11, 2009, 12:41:51 AM »

Quote

"Now how would I go about doing all that extra weight?" Hmmmm Duct Tape And A Cinder block ??

To handle that recoil, I'd have to go with a bag of lead shot on both sides plus one on the butt as a recoil pad. Might even have to stack a few more on there!

Make sure you get some pics from the emergency room!

jeepmann1948 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 11, 2009, 01:27:17 AM »

Check out Ed Hubel's Posts about the 12gaFH he has done them from 28ga to 8 ga
Lots of masochistic information there.

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #5 on:** June 11, 2009, 02:33:59 AM »

You could carve the forearm out of lead it has to be differant from the other forearms anyway then you could put a Survivor stock on it and also fill that with lead. As far as sights go you could put a peep sight on it and with that bbl there is plenty of material to drill and tap about anything you want. Then if you have any lead left cast it into a hammer and hit yourself in the head with it

Kurt

quickdtoo · « **Reply #6 on:** June 11, 2009, 04:24:55 AM »

You'd have to start by putting the 20ga barrel on an SB2 frame. Forget the idea of adding weight to the forend unless you weld or dovetail the forend stud on first, NFG found out first hand what happens if you don't, the warning is in the FAQs.

Tim

Dinny · « **Reply #7 on:** June 11, 2009, 04:40:30 AM »

I really have no words of advice for adding weight. But I do get a good laugh when I imagine the range session and the other people watching you shoot it. Be sure to add the video to youtube, you would get a million+ views. Even better, I think you should shoot it from the prone position.

~Dinny(from Afghanistan)

snakeman · « **Reply #8 on:** June 11, 2009, 04:53:18 AM »

ty,
Your peanuts are bigger than mine.

snakeman

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 11, 2009, 05:16:26 AM »

"Up the weight to 15 lbs and it's only 118 ft lbs." - tykempster..........ONLY 118ft lbs?

"Your peanuts are bigger than mine." - snakeman ........ mine too

Ty - Good Luck - I wish you the best.

Just a little advice - make sure your health insurance is paid up.

jlwilliams · « **Reply #10 on:** June 12, 2009, 01:39:20 AM »

This sounds like a bad idea.

Swampman · « **Reply #11 on:** June 12, 2009, 01:46:05 AM »

Attach a lead forend with hose clamps.

Victor3 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 12, 2009, 02:46:40 AM »

"...a press that accepts those big dies"

IIRC, the RCBS Ammo Master press has a kit available to convert it into a single-stage 50 BMG press. Might work with other big dies too(?)

tykempster · « **Reply #13 on:** June 12, 2009, 05:03:29 AM »

I'm on hold with H&R right now, gonna ask if I could get one of the 3.5" 20 gauge barrels-

WELL nevermind...some guy told me there was no such thing as a 3.5" 20 gauge...I explained that Hastings was advertising one and he flat out didn't believe me.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #14 on:** June 12, 2009, 05:20:13 AM »

Why not just load up some 3" or 2 3/4 brass 20 ga SHELLS with the the projectiles you want. And load them a little hot. With a single shot the over all length will not matter as much So you can make 600 Nitro special (3") OR 600 Nitro Short (2 3/4) with out as much risk of injury and still be able to keep the SB1 frame as you will be using 209 primers.
I also remember seeing that 20 ga is .615 not .620 but that may be the differance between the way we size and the way the brits size.
thier .303 = our .311 so your guess is as good as mine.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #15 on:** June 12, 2009, 05:35:48 AM »

The Lee Classic Cast press will handle the 50BMG, accepts 1¼-12 large dies and costs less than $100, is built like a tank with all iron and steel, you'll be hard "pressed" to find more press for the money.

Tim

http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1244820706.2253=/html/catalog/classic.html

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0000690998

quickdtoo · « **Reply #16 on:** June 12, 2009, 05:52:29 AM »

Here's info on the Hastings 3½" 20ga slug gun and getting one rechambered.

Tim

http://www.hastingsammunition.com/id4.html

http://www.hastingsammunition.com/id11.html

tykempster · « **Reply #17 on:** June 12, 2009, 07:53:08 AM »

I am checking on what getting 3.5" 20 gauge brass that is thick enough for high pressure will cost. Where do I find 20 gauge dies, or what else would work to size them?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #18 on:** June 12, 2009, 08:44:01 AM »

I'd see what Ty Herring used for brass and dies on his .600 Poor Mans Nitro, you can call him at the 800 number or email him at tyh@barnesbullets.com

Tim

http://ammoguide.com/?catid=730

tykempster · « **Reply #19 on:** June 12, 2009, 08:57:25 AM »

I'll e-mail him. Looks like 12 gauge sized down a bit. If I used RMC brass, it would be able to take higher pressures. Is 40k too high for the shotgun barrel? It's still awful thick, so I'd think it wouldn't be too bad.

tykempster · « **Reply #20 on:** June 12, 2009, 09:00:42 AM »

My guess is at 12000 PSI he didn't even size the brass.

tykempster · « **Reply #21 on:** June 12, 2009, 09:06:32 AM »

It would also decrease chamber thickness if I reamed a 20 gauge barrel to this...might reduce pressure capability.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #22 on:** June 12, 2009, 09:25:26 AM »

H&R shotgun barrels are made of 1137 mild steel instead the 4140 centerfire rifle barrels are made of, so you don't want to go too thin or too much pressure. Have you checked the cost of bullets yet? The least expensive .620" 900gr jacketed bullets I found so far are over $2 EACH!!

Tim

tykempster · « **Reply #23 on:** June 12, 2009, 09:37:28 AM »

Quick, I'm going to be casting bullets by this weekend.

So with the 20 gauge, would you feel comfortable shooting at 40k pressures, or no? NFG shoots his 12 GAFH at some increased pressures, that's about all I know about this.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #24 on:** June 12, 2009, 09:40:11 AM »

Ed's 12ga FH is a 10ga based barrel which is .100" larger in diameter than the 20ga.

Tim

tykempster · « **Reply #25 on:** June 12, 2009, 09:45:50 AM »

Looks like this could be quite the hangup...and I have serious doubts that H&R will tell me the strength of their barrel.

tykempster · « **Reply #26 on:** June 12, 2009, 09:46:36 AM »

Is the chamber thickness close however, if it's .1 thicker isn't the 20 gauge around .1 smaller anyways?

tykempster · « **Reply #27 on:** June 12, 2009, 10:53:11 AM »

YEEHAW!
"Dear sir,
I make cases for all gauges and chamberings of shot shells and can alter any dimension for special purposes.
Thw current price for the 2 7/8" brass for 3" chambers is $55.00/ box of 10 cases and I am not aware of a 3 1/2" factory 20 Ga.??
It would probably be in the $65.00 range / box
Thanks,
Dave Casey"

tykempster · « **Reply #28 on:** June 12, 2009, 12:15:19 PM »

L to R
577-450-MH (Jamison)
28 GA Sig Super Mag 3-1/8"(Jamison)
Brass 20 GA 2-5/8"
600 NE 3"(Bertram)

You can see how close they are, and 3.5" would really give me room to run with super low pressures.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #29 on:** June 12, 2009, 12:24:20 PM »

Chamber wall thickness on my 20ga TDC barrel is .212", and my 12ga USH barrel is .197".

Tim