I want to make a small cannon that shoot shotgun shells. I have access to a pretty ballsy lathe as well as CNC machines and some nice lathes. I don't want this to be a class III weapon though so I was wondering, is the 16" (or was it 14") barrel rule of a shotgun from the end of the shell, or beginning of the shell? I want this to be as compact as possible while being within the rules of the law. If there are any other federal laws I would run into or any advice you have to offer I am certainly listening.
My plan was to basically buy a single shot shotgun take off the hammer/firing mechanisms and replace the trigger with a pull string.
Also Any advice as to what to make this out of? I was planning on firing .410 shells and don't know what barrels are made out of so i figured chromoly (4140 or 4340) would do nicely, if I can use a lesser material a without significant wear or need for a lined barrel let me know. This is mostly a conversational/occasionally show my friends piece, and a do it just cause I can piece.
My plan was to basically buy a single shot shotgun take off the hammer/firing mechanisms and replace the trigger with a pull string.
Also Any advice as to what to make this out of? I was planning on firing .410 shells and don't know what barrels are made out of so i figured chromoly (4140 or 4340) would do nicely, if I can use a lesser material a without significant wear or need for a lined barrel let me know. This is mostly a conversational/occasionally show my friends piece, and a do it just cause I can piece.