Idea for a "new" Action Design...

[mikld]

Jes read Gunnymac's thread about his new "wildcat", and had a crazy idea for a firearm that will shoot cartridges where the bullet is larger in diameter than the case. This is just a rough idea, but a "chamber" similar to a bullet mold that would encase a cartridge with a larger bullet than case. Open the chamber, drop a cartridge in, close the chamber, fire. If the dimensions are correct the case would be enclosed, the bullet would be close/next to the barrel and with proper lock up the pressures would be contained. It's so simple though, mebbe someone has already done it? My thoughts would be a single shot, but who knows what a smarter than me feller could come up with.

Hey, jes an old machinist/mechanic lookin' at a crazy idea...

[Old Ironsights]

Maybe not larger than the case, but definitely larger than the head:



Mmmmmm... .50 Beowulf....

[Griff]

That would be putting a LOT of pressure on a split chamber... relying totally on your locking mechanism. As that would have more tolerance than any other part, you'd end up with zero bolt thrust... but a lot of pressure on the locking system.

[Blaine]

Maybe some sort of self-adjusting sabot system Keeping the regular firearm configuration, but adoptable to many loads?

[AJMD429]

Certainly a revolver already has the split ahead of the chambered round, so there is a precedent.

And they make 'em for 454 Casull, so evidently the high pressures can be dealt with.

The question still remains as to whether anything would be gained by a smaller cartridge diameter than bullet diameter.

[mikld]

Thanks fellers. So far the "drawbacks" can easily be worked out, ie.; strength of a "split chamber locking system". Personally, I can see no advantage for a cartridge with a bullet larger than the case, but it popped up in my head...

[Old Ironsights]

It's called a "heeled bullet".

Take apart a .22 sometime. I've seen many a .22 that has a larger bullet diameter than case diameter. Not by much, but still...

[mikld]

Well, not sure but all the 22 cartridges I've played with the bullet is the same diameter as the case. But my idiotic first idea was something more radical, like a 44 cal bullet in a 38 cal case or like Gunnymac's pic a 50-41...

[Griff]

Okay, you're thinking along the lines of a break open firearm, (breaktop revolvers, single & double shotguns, or Contender type pistols), but with the break being at the front of the cylinder? When I first read your OP, I pictured a Trapdoor Springfield but instead of the breech popping up, it would be the top of the chamber.

[Sixgun]

Good thinking but your 150 years late. That design was patented, rifles made and sold to the government during the Civil War. Going out my head here, but I believe it is the Burnside Carbine.

I have an original cartridge around here....somewhere. Looks like an ice cream cone.-----6

[sore shoulder]

I designed a lever action double rifle that uses a very unique split chamber which allows for less moving parts and shorter receiver with the tentative application as a DG rifle. It's only in the concept/sketch stage but someday I intend to get together with my machinist brother and make it along with several other projects we have simmering.

[mikld]

Okay, you're thinking along the lines of a break open firearm, (breaktop revolvers, single & double shotguns, or Contender type pistols), but with the break being at the front of the cylinder? When I first read your OP, I pictured a Trapdoor Springfield but instead of the breech popping up, it would be the top of the chamber.

Nope...
My first thoughts were a chamber built on the same style as a bullet mold. The cavity being the same shape as the cartridge with the larger diameter bullet. Clam shell, open action, lay a cartridge in the "chamber", drop top half closed and fire.Cartridge not entering a lengthwise chamber, but laying in a "trough". Yes, it sounds impractical, and as I noted it was an idea and I just shared it with the group thinking someone would possibly have knowledge if a similar action had ever been made.

[piller]

Would the .480 Achilles work for your idea?