Kind of spooked myself, and the thread that started "Hey guys, What about failures?" and ended up a debate and legal discussion of liability issues, nearly drove me to buy a Pedersoli Kodiak 45-70 - had I been a little quicker last week I would've bought one, and nearly did!

The legal liability end still scares me, as I was brought up to believe that a workman or businessman who excersises common sense and prudent behaviour was reasonably well protected - till 15-20 yrs ago the captain/owner of a fishing vessel, on which I'd spent better than a cold, miserable, filthy day doing an engine alignment and anticipating completion in another 6-12 hrs, came down into the engine room and smuggly announced that: " ... know whose insurance will be paying for my engine overhaul, new Twin Disc clutch and reverse gear if it fails first trip out - ha, ha!" I was underinsured at the time, loved running my shop and working on the occaisional fishing boat or piece of heavy equipt. or machinery, but immediately started packing my tool boxes and advised him that there was no charge, but he'd better find someone to align things. He was angry, as every day tied up at the dock meant less money in his pocket, but I closed down my shop later that year, ended up managing the hobbyshop end of a toy store for nearly 10 yrs., till the owner retired and closed it.

Bramble advanced the thought that I should mark per English practice, stamp with max bullet wt. and charge stamped on the action, and at "the end of the day I would have to take the build it, enjoy it, and get a relative to throw it in a river when you die" - basically the same "bury it w/you in your coffin" wise advice I was given regarding permanently removing tang safety and rebounding hammer from a NIB Win 1895 405 I owned, which I promptly sold and instead had my pre-litigation driven safeties equipped 30-40 Browning version of same rebored to 405.

My letter carrier just now delivered a Priority mail package of barrel spacers and rib stock, at least enough to keep the fire lit! For the last couple days I'd been fondling my Rossi 20ga coach guns, along with the 12ga, and my new barrels, checking the internet sites for another 26" brld 20ga, or 28" brld 12ga, and still watching for a (or 2!) Rossi 410 hammer double, even called Green Mountain Barrels to chk on availability of 2 more 45 cal barrels, but .452" groove dia. for 45 Colt as I've carried a 45 Colt both as a hunting sidarm and a CCW, think it'll be doable on the 410 frame. Accurate loading and pressure data is available in the 6,000 to 13,000psi range, also at double those pressues - so proof loads would be a known! Failing that, how about a combination gun, 22 Hornet or 25-20 or 32-20 along side a 410 bore?

Getting ahead of myself, though my shop isn't (and likely won't be for at least the next year) set up, I can still do my machine work at my brother's place, at least enough to get to the point of proofing on the 20ga frame w/30-40 Krag barrels. If the action comes through proofing okay, I'll replace the hinge pin and fit up my extra 20ga. barrels at that time and start on another, but this time on the 12ga/45-90 or 50-110 project, or maybe the 410 frame if I can find 2 of those! If there's any sign of failure or stretching with proof loads on the 20 ga. this project/s will just slow down and I'll forget the Rossi shotguns in all gauges, sell what I haven't cut up and locate and buy a Pedersoli Kodiak 45-70 w/20ga tubes and eventually mfgr. one or two extra 4140 monoblocks to barrel to 30-40 and ?

Thanks to Bramble, and you others who have put up with and read through and responded to my long rambling posts, as you've helped me to stay positive on this project! Joe(hobbyguymaine)