What firearm calibers allow multi caliber use?

[CountryGent]

On a minor tangent, there was the short lived Medusa Model 47 that could fire, reportedly, up to 25 different 9mm / .357 cartridges (e.g., .38 Special, 9㎜ Parabellum, .357 Magnum, .380 ACP, 9㎜ Largo, 9㎜ Browning, 9㎜ Glisenti, et al.). The didn't make many of them and, as far as I know, it was a commercial flop. Still, from a mechanical point of view, it was kind of neat-o.

Popular Mechanics has an article here and there is a video showing it being shot below:

 

[Vaultman]

The Taurus Judge fires 45 Colt and 410 shotshells. Don't think I's try the 545 Casull in it.

Really should stay away from that new round, the 545 casull. Especially in a Judge. I hear it has very large recoil!

 

[Medic!]

38-55 in a 375 Winchester.

7.62x51 / .308 Winchester.

 

[KKG]

20ga., 16ga., 28ga. and .410ga. in a sleeved 12ga.

.410ga. in a .45-70 Govt.

 

[Colts4me]

A 1911 is very versitile. 22 lr, 9mm, 38 acp, 38 super, 9x21, 45acp, 40, 10mm, 357 sig and a bunch of custom made rounds.

 

[41mag]

And they said it couldn't be done

check yer cheapo pump 22s from about 120 years ago....Winchester/Marlin & a wad of others, all claim the mark of 's/l/lr' in their 22 guns.

 

[3MTA3]

Really should stay away from that new round, the 545 casull. Especially in a Judge. I hear it has very large recoil!

Only a puss shoots a 454, hell even my 100 lb granny packed a snub nosed 545.

 

[OldBroad44]

Only a puss shoots a 454, hell even my 100 lb granny packed a snub nosed 545.

I agree. I never go anywhere without my trusty 545. One day I was out in the woods with my 545 when...

 

[OldBroad44]

A 1911 is very versitile. 22 lr, 9mm, 38 acp, 38 super, 9x21, 45acp, 40, 10mm, 357 sig and a bunch of custom made rounds.

I think op meant what calibers could be fired with one gun without changing barrels or other parts to convert it to other calibers.

 

[pharmseller]

I saw a guy fire a 7mm-08 out of a .30-06, so you can do it, but I don't recommend it.




P

 

[3MTA3]

I saw a guy fire a 7mm-08 out of a .30-06, so you can do it, but I don't recommend it.




P

Just like you can fire 5.56 in a 7.62x39 - it will work and handy to know in an emergency, but not exactly friendly to the brass

 

[pharmseller]

Just like you can fire 5.56 in a 7.62x39 - it will work and handy to know in an emergency, but not exactly friendly to the brass

Yep, pretty much turned the -08 case into a straight walled case. Didn't sound standard, either.



P

 

[Andy54Hawken]

One can shoot a round ball that is smaller than caliber size in a muzzleloader ...if you double patch...
Example :
Using a .490 round ball ( .50 caliber ) in a .54 caliber rifle ( .530 - .535 round ball )...

You may have to use more patch lube...but this can be done for shooting work in a pinch...or say if you own more than one muzzleloader and use the same bag for many different rifles and have the wrong size round ball for the rifle in hand....
Andy

 

[Medic!]

One can shoot a round ball that is smaller than caliber size in a muzzleloader ...if you double patch...
Example :
Using a .490 round ball ( .50 caliber ) in a .54 caliber rifle ( .530 - .535 round ball )...

You may have to use more patch lube...but this can be done for shooting work in a pinch...or say if you own more than one muzzleloader and use the same bag for many different rifles and have the wrong size round ball for the rifle in hand....
Andy

Or what the heck.
Load it with glass and nails.

 

[OldBroad44]

For any novices-
Many of these possibilities go in one direction only. If your gun is a .357 mag, you can also shoot the less powerful .38 special in it. But if your gun is a .38 special, it isn't strong enough to stand the pressures of the .357 load. Usually manufacturers try to make the upgraded more powerful analog too long to fit in the weaker gun, but there are no guarantees for custom ammo or reloads.
The calibers aren't always named very accurately. So the so-called 38 special for example, is actually .357 in diameter, the same diameter as the more accurately named .357 mag.

 

[Boboclown]

38-55 in a 375 Winchester.

7.62x51 / .308 Winchester.

But .308 will cause kabooms in a 7.62 NATO chamber!

 

[Joe13]

My Henery lever will feed .22 short, longs and long rifle - even mixed. As will my dad's ancient sears simi auto.

Surprised no one mentioned .223/5.56 can be fired from a .223 wylde.


Along the lines of not recommended but will work is a .50BMG from a break barrel .12ga without any modification.

 

[E4mafia]

40 S&W can also be fitted to fire 9mm with a drop in barrel.

357 can also shoot 38 from a wheel gat. everything else mentioned in this thread already.

 

[nammac]

Ruger Redhawks in .45 LC also shoots .45 ACP w/moon clips

 

[OldBroad44]

Ruger Redhawks in .45 LC also shoots .45 ACP w/moon clips

Just certain models of .45 LC Ruger RedHawks shoot .45 ACP with moon clips. Other models are strictly .45 LC. The dual caliber models can generally not be fired with the very hottest Ruger-only loads some manufacturers sell.