Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing single shot shot gun to rifle?

I have an Iver Johnson 410 single shot shotgun I am wondering if it is possible to rebarrell / convert it to a 357 magnum ? If so what kind of cost am I looking at or would be better off looking at the Henry single shot.

Thanks

358win

You’re going to be in it a bunch of money, way more than a Henry or H&R in a rifle caliber. But it could be done by sacrificing the old barrel.

Cut the barrel off right in front of the lug. Chuck in the lathe and indicated to center. Bore out the chamber area and thread the ID. Turn down and thread your rifle barrel blank to fit the monoblock you’ve made out of the old barrel. Chamber and make extractor cut. Probably need to solder the old forend hanger on the new barrel or come up with some other attachment method. Gin up some kind of sights or scope mount.
Enjoy your new rifle, that likely has a crap trigger and poor stock dimensions for using any aiming device besides a bead. Don’t load to very high pressure either, the giant firing pin hole will see primers flowing or blowing at relatively low pressures and the sand cast reciever is probably either pretty stretchy or brittle.

What The Kid said. Buy a single shot already chambered in 357M. You’ll be many hundreds of dollars ahead.

Thanks that' s what i thought. Probably will look for either a single shot or lever action.

358win

find a cadet martini in.310/ 32-20. they are sweet converted to 357

Could possibly find one of these.

https://www.joesalter.com/category/products/H-and-R-058-2-Barrel-Set-30-30-and-20-gauge

Or

https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/han...black-polymer-stock/FC-010633270206.html

I am no expert,but I think most shotguns work in the18,000 psi range. Hdgonl loading data shows a158 gr ,.357 with H100 powder to be 40,000 CUP. I don't have the conversion from CUP to PSI, but it is quite a bit more than 18,000 PSI.

That .410 barrel would not take it and the .410 chambe rsize is way bigger than a .357. A 45 Colt will fit into that .410 chamber,but still you have the pressure problem. ( Same as Taurus's Judge handgun that that takes both.

Have you though about .410 rifles slugs?

I don't know if they make them for a 410, but there are chamber inserts for shotguns to fire .357 and other pistol cartridges. I had the chance to fire a H&R topper buck gun with one in 357, you could shoot a 4-5" group at 100yds with the open sights. The insert was pretty long, maybe 15" and there were orings that held it tightly in the bore. I don't know who made it or if its still made.

You are showing your age.Those were quite awhile back. Didn't the also make them for smaller gauge inserts for 12 gauge

Short Lane arms makes and sells the adapters
to allow single barrel break open shotguns to
shoot different rounds.
I'm assuming they're still up and running since
they sent me an email sale notification a few
days ago

Not .357 but there is one for .38 Special in .410 bore

https://chaszel.com/product/38-shotgun-adapters/

Thanks for all the replies. To those who mentioned the chamber adapters that jogged my memory that I had looked at them and may have to check them out again.
Thanks again.

358win

H&R had different metal treatments between the single-shot shotguns and rifles.

I don't know about IJ, but make sure your receiver is up to the task if you go down that path.

I would just go find a new or used Henry single shot rifle.

Ace Dube used to make chamber inserts, but I don't recall any for a .410.

www.mcaceak.com

I've not yet seen a Henry so I don't know how they handle. Some years back I built a couple "stub" barrels for a Savage 94 and an older H&R in .32 S&W L and .38 Spl. I didn't have the need for the magnum chamber in either and wouldn't choose these older actions for the higher pressure chamberings. I'd put your IJ in that class as well. Others would disagree. With a 22" light sporter barrel they balanced very nicely. Depending on the wood work, they are a slick handling and light little rifle. A pleasure to take for a walk. I was talked out of them but they are both now favorites of friend's kids. I have a NEF Handi in .357 Mag. It's a good shooter, with much stronger action but heavier and just doesn't handle as well for me as the old stubbed beaters. It doesn't get much use. I like the Contender with a tapered carbine barrel best though. I have a few barrels and use the .30-30 with light cast loads for anything the .32 or .357 Mag would do. Light, accurate with a great trigger. A modern day Maynard. I'd like to find a tapered .38 or 357 barrels though I really don't need it... I'd suggest you consider the Contender and compare it to the Henry.

Thanks again for all replies. I will probably look for a single shot rifle or lever action in either 357 or 30-30.

358win