12ga Marlin now a 20ga.

[SumToy]

Ok guy I figured I post this up.  I know that alot of you get into this type stuff.  The guys that know me or have followed me as we have grown in the hunting world know I like to play with wild stuff.  So that got me to thinking about a 20ga bolt gun.  I had seen some of you ask about it and think some of the True target guys that play in the NWTF have kicked it around.   

I have always loved to play with the old Marlin bolt guns.  Now problem is I have never seen a 20ga.  So off to the shop we go with Marlin in had.

[SumToy]

12ga Marlin 55 to start with

[SumToy]

1st off had to cut the bolt for a 20ga.   Then had to build a new chamber.  Thread it to fit the Marlin action then set the head space on it.

[SumToy]

After head space set mark the barrel and action so you can put it back to the same place each time after that. (just in case you need to make change to chamber)

Then machined it for a drop in choke. Same choke just slide in and threads on outside of barrel. (easy to make and change for testing)

[Deputy 14]

That's cool man. I like the idea. Let us know how it performs.

[allaboutshooting]

That's a very interesting looking project. Many years ago, maybe 2003 or 2004, Bill Davis used a Marlin Goose Gun as the basis for a 20 Gauge Open Class gun and a lady shooting for him won the Women's Class with it.

Since that time most people have used either 12 gauge Savage 210s or in the last couple of years, Savage 220s to build 20 gauge open guns.  They've worked pretty well at times.

Will you be able to mount a telescopic sight on that gun? If my memory serves me correctly, Bill built something similar to a saddle mount for his gun. He also had a very heavy barrel on his.

It looks like you've also installed a heavy barrel. The drop in chokes will certainly allow you to experiment with different designs and configurations.

Very nice job. I also look forward to hearing how it shoots.

Thanks,
Clark

[SumToy]

We been building Marlins for years.  I have a custom mount that we fit on them.    Now the drop in is not diffrent then one of our normal chokes.  It has the same layout that we run on our screw in chokes.   This one has a custom bore and chamber in it.  We have been building 20ga and 16ga for normal card shoots.  I just got a wild idea to see what we can do with one.  It has a BIG Brother on the way also.   

[gatrkyhntr70]

lets see some pics of the finished product, some pics on the range would be intresting.

[n2deer]

Very Cool

[lowoctane]

Very nice..!

[SumToy]

Ok this was just the 4th shot out of the barrel.  I just stick a choke in it and go shoot.  I had to see what it was going to do. LOL   This barrel has not been clean with anything.  It came of machine and hit the rang.   This was only a 30 yard pattern with Winchester Ex-Rang 5's.  I got to play some with a few chokes and burn the barrel in then see what happens.  Got to get a sight on it also. 

[allaboutshooting]

Ok this was just the 4th shot out of the barrel.  I just stick a choke in it and go shoot.  I had to see what it was going to do. LOL   This barrel has not been clean with anything.  It came of machine and hit the rang.   This was only a 30 yard pattern with Winchester Ex-Rang 5's.  I got to play some with a few chokes and burn the barrel in then see what happens.  Got to get a sight on it also. 

That's not a bad pattern at all considering the low count of those shells and the fact that everything is new and dirty.

Thanks,
Clark

[SumToy]

Yup Clark I have never did a barrel set up to shoot TK loads.  I have always did just the normal junk loads for the mom and pop shoot.  I got a wild hair to just see what we could get one to do. LOL 

That pic not show it like it is.  I try to take better pic of it.  Most all of it in that 10 and I say 75% in  about a 7 to 8.    I would love to see Winchester do a 6 or 7. 

It is fun to play with.  I think it be neat to shoot a bird with it.

[BandedSpur]

Nice work, William. Cool project.