After reading some of the recent posts in the hunting thread I started a search for these inserts. I believe GaugeMates and ChamberMates have either slowed or stopped making these inserts for the time being but here is another company providing them in various rifle calibers,

http://mcace.com/shotguninserts.htm

Anyone try these out in their shotguns?


Good, Bad or Ugly?

All opinions welcomed.

There was a thread a couple months back about this entitled ".22LR S x S". In it I posted that I had called and talked with the man who makes and sells the MCA inserts, and found out that the empties have to be removed by use of a cleaning rod, knocking them out from the muzzle end. I decided not to pursue them when I learned that. We talked at length about regulation and such. He is a one-man-show, as he put it. Does everything himself.

SRH

I have often used GaugeMates in 10 gauge shotguns in order to shoot 12 gauge ammo at clay birds. I always used either Remington STS or Winchester AA ammo, since that is recommended by GaugeMate in order to avoid sticking. The GaugeMates worked like a charm for me. I would recommend them, if they are still made or if you can pick up a set on Ebay. I do not have any experience with the situation Stan mentions, but my "10 into 12 gauge" purposes, the GaugeMate Golds were excellent.

One problem that can arise with rifle caliber inserts in shotguns is primer flow into the larger firing pin holes in the breech, which can lock up the gun. It can be a problem in older riles also that were built for black powder ammo. The problem is worse in guns with rebounding hammers as there is nothing to hold the firing pins forward. I have a full length insert in caliber .40-50 Sharps bottle neck that may have been made by Remington that I have never tried because I don't want to fool with black powder cleaning.

You might consider these:
http://www.gunadapters.com/

I have not used them, but they look interesting in that the spent shell or cartridge appears to be removable by hand.

I wish that Gaugemates were still available--I continue to search for a 10ga insert.

Berrien

Also--Has anyone had experience with these: http://shotgunadapter.com

They are the only 10gauge adapter that I can find

Thanks

Berrien

I called GaugeMates about a month ago to inquire about their 16 gauge to 45 Long colt adapter and the gentleman said that their web-site hadn't been updated for months and they have very little stock left. He explained that the owner is into other things gun related and that he may be back making these adapters but has no plans at present. He didn't explain what 'gun related' meant.

I have 2 sets of GaugeMates 16 gauge to 20 gauge inserts and they work alright. I bought them because of logistical problems of the 16 gauge and wide open spaces. But I figure also that for boar or bear encounter problems you could always slug or buckshot one barrel. I was going to buy one insert (16 gauge to 45 Long Colt) and test at certain ranges if they are more accurate then a slug.


But a shotgun slug packs a wallop.

Ballistics Information:
•Muzzle Velocity: 1510 fps
•Muzzle Energy: 2460 ft/lbs

Ballistics Information:
•Muzzle Velocity: 1600 fps
•Muzzle Energy: 1989 ft/lbs

At one time I had a Krieghoff made 16ga/22LR insert barrel. This barrel could be sighted in to the shotgun sights & had its own extractor. It was very accurate & could be removed & reinserted without losing Zero. It was also quite expensive, I don't know if they are made anymore. These were made primarily for use in drillings which of course had sights for the rifle barrel.

The insert barrels like 2-piper described are called Einstecklaufs, and are very useful, because the point of impact can be adjusted to correspond to what ever sights you have at any useful range. I use these in s couple of my drillings and have used them to take hare, squirrel, raccoon, and bobcat. The ones I have are in 22lr and 22 mag., but are available in many other calibers. The point of impact can't be adjusted with the chamber inserts, but they can still be somewhat useful at close range. The ones for shot shells shoot to the point of impact dictated by the barrel and can be very useful for various purposes.
Mike

Here is an example web site regarding Einstecklaufs

http://www.frankonia.de/Einstecklauf/Ansicht.html?Artikelnummer=96051

The one I had was much shorter than the one pictured here. It did not have forward contact with the bore at all, fit only to the chamber. It used three point contact at the forward end of the chamber to sight in. two were slides, the third screw adjustable. This third one was loosened to remove & when re-inserting it was tightened to a preset stop which was set upon sighting in. As long as I had it it always came back to zero upon removing & replacing.

Another Einstecklauf maker:
http://www.keppeler-te.de/cms/pages/englisch/welcome.php

I have a Kreigoff made 22WMR to 7x57R.





I also have a Mcace 22 Hornet to 9.3X82R 360





A shotgun to rifle cartridge adapter needs to be repeatable. A shotgun gauge adapter does not need this.

This is why an Einstecklauf maker can charge up to $2,500 while a shotgun gauge adapter rarely costs more than $45 a set.

Pete

Interesting--The best part of this site is the learning part

Wow. The Franconia catalog isn't what it once was. I'm glad I saved my last one from 20-30 years ago.

Failed to mention the .22LR/16ga insert I had was made by Krieghoff.

Berrien, I believe the "Little Skeeters" are still an option for 10 gauge:

http://www.littleskeeters.com/products.htm

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SHOTGUN-GAUGE-REDUCERS-LITTLE-SKEETERS-10-12-GAUGE-/232122943136?hash=item360b9b06a0:g:tCMAAOSwjVVVpG7o

Fun reading here
http://www.keppeler-te.de/cms/pages/englisch/hunting/insert-barrels.php

and

http://www.gunbroker.com/item/593549415

So you have a choice with your break open shotgun either going for an insert and change the caliber or shoot a slug.

Anyone test the accuracy of their shotguns with these inserts?

I have used the Lothar Walther, GaugeMates, Little Skeeters and the Savage 410ers.
All work well if you play be their rules.
I find the 410 inserts work best when installed at 20 gauge or lower.
I have taken the Little Skeeters in 10-12 and 16-20 and slit them down the side. Yes, hulls are split but I have lots of hulls.
I have NOT done the rifle insert thing as I have a drilling and a double rifle.

Mike