My (quick) review of Chaszel barrel inserts. This was previously posted on the barrel liners and shotgun inserts page.

So the first batch of Chaszel inserts arrived.  I like to be able to speak knowledgeably to customers about the products I sell so of course I had to try one out.
First of all it is important to keep in mind that if you choose to use one of these inserts you should do it in a shotgun capable of handling the force generated by the cartridge you choose to fire.  Chaszel’s own literature and website caution that your first shot should be done remotely just in case the firearm decides to explode.
I chose a 12 gauge 18” 357 mag. insert to try out.  The shotgun I chose was a H&R SB1. Tracker rifled barrel shotgun.  I chose it for a couple reasons; this frame was used by H&R for the basis of their 357 and 44 mag rifle so I was confident that it was suitable for the pressure and second it already had a scope mounted so aiming should be a little more consistent.

The Chaszel insert has 3 different o-ring grooves of different diameters at the muzzle end so that you can change the position of the o-ring to get a tight fit in the bore of your shotgun.
There is also an o-ring at the chamber area.  The o-rings center the insert in the bore but also act as a buffer to prevent scratching of the shotgun bore.

The 18” insert is not a lightweight weighing just over 1  ¼ lbs.
The insert has 2 scallops on the side of the chamber to allow the user to fish out the fired shell casing.  Extraction was easy with the limited rounds fired.
How does it shoot? 
I placed a large pc. of cardboard and 3 aiming stickers out at 50 yds.  I am glad I used the large pc of cardboard because my first shot was about 16” high and almost off the page so to speak.

I moved the aiming stickers down toward the bottom of the cardboard.  I made no scope adjustments as I was only interested in the relative accuracy of the insert.  I had 3 different brands and 2 different weights of bullet in 357 mag.  They were Winchester 110 gr, CCI 158 and S&B 158 gr.  I was only interested in doing a quick check of what a barrel insert might perform for me.
Shooting was done from the prone position.  Temp was about 0 deg C, there was no real wind to speak of.  The scope was set to 4.5 x and probably should have been cleaned.  Aiming was done pointing at the center of the white blob at the bottom of the cardboard as the winter twilight was starting to set in.  Shots were fired one after the other, 3 shots at one target with one type of ammo then 3 at the next and so on.   All the groups landed about 12" to 14" high with the Winchester ammo centered the CCI slightly off center and the S&B off to the right about 5 1/2" but close to the same height.
Whether the drift to the right was a function of the insert heating up or the change in ammunition is unknown.  Seeing that the S&B group was the smallest of the 3 shot groups, I am inclined to believe it is a function of the different ammo.

Conclusion
I didn’t know what to expect but aside from being way off the aiming point (which is why there are sights and scopes with adjustments) I was pleasantly surprised with a 3 shot grouping between 1 ½” to 2”.  At 50 yds. The impact area between the 3 brands of ammo was relatively close vertically with the exception noted above.  Granted I chose the 18” version which may be inherently more accurate but I have seen plenty of handguns with their short barrels turn in some exceptional accuracy.  I have to admit that I want to try rotating the liner in the barrel to see if that alters the point of impact.  Although your setup may yield different results, if you want some extra fun with your shotgun this is one way to do it.  If you have one of the typically inexpensive single shot shotguns hanging around and you want a pistol caliber carbine for plinking or small game hunting this is a relatively inexpensive way to make a dedicated or convertible unit.
Update Sept. 2, 2024
I recently took out a 30-30 insert and was using up some left over ammo and was able to get what I thought, were impressive groups, considering it is a barrel inside a barrel suspended by O-rings. 
With one brand of ammo (Win. 150 gr) at 25 yds a 1/2" group (3 shot) and a different brand ammo (Fed. 170 gr) 1.190" at 50 yds (3 shot)  This is way better than some of my previously reported pistol caliber groups.  Perhaps the rifle calibers have better potential accuracy?  Since that Ammo is now gone I do not know what kind of performance I will get from a different brand or if it is repeatable.  When I get a chance I will have to find out.

This article is provided for information only, your results may vary.  No liability is assumed in providing this information. 
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