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Which Short Lane Adapter Series Is Right for Me?
Which Short Lane adapter series is right for me? Scavenger vs. Zombie vs. Bug Out vs. Pathfinder
The short answer
If you want the cheapest way to shoot many calibers at close range, start with the Scavenger Series. If you want tighter groups at close range, step up to Zombie. If you want more range and accuracy for hunting small game, get Bug Out. If you want the longest rifled adapters, the best long-range accuracy, and Dave Canterbury's sponsored line, get Pathfinder.
Quick comparison
| Series | Bore | Rifling | Best use | Typical range | Expected groups | Starting price* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scavenger | Smooth bore | None — not rifled, so no twist rate | Close-range versatility, cheapest entry | 10–30 yards | 6–8" (bullets may tumble) | ~$24 sale |
| Zombie | Rifled | 3" rifled, twist varies by caliber — except 12ga to .22 LR / .22 WMR, which are 2.650" long | Close range, tighter groups than Scavenger | Close range | 1" at 30 ft (FAQ: 1–2", no tumbling) | $59.99 sale – $89.99 standard |
| Bug Out | Rifled | 5" rifled, crowned, twist varies by caliber | Small game hunting at distance, backpack-portable | 30–50 yards | 1" or less at 30 ft | $93.99–$109.99 (sale on some models) |
| Pathfinder | Rifled | 8" rifled adapter | Long-range accuracy, bushcraft/survival kit | 90–100 yards w/ scope | 2" at 15 yards (Federal 36gr bulk .22 LR, front bead — ASJ test) | $125.99–$139.99 sale |
*Prices are sale prices seen on gunadapters.com as of 2026-10-22; check current prices when publishing.
Scavenger Series — smooth bore, close range, lowest price
The Scavenger Series is the smooth-bore line. Smooth bore means the bore is not rifled, so Scavenger adapters have no twist rate at all. We recommend them for close range. Start off at 10 yards and then go out farther from there — many customers use these adapters from the range of 10–30 yards. You should expect 6–8" groupings, and tumbling can occur. If you mostly want to try a lot of calibers cheaply (9mm, .45 Colt, .410, 20 gauge, .22 LR), this is the series to start with.
Shop Scavenger Series adapters
Zombie Series — close range, much tighter groups
The Zombie Series is a rifled adapter (twist rate is matched to the caliber — the 9mm version is 1:10, rimfire versions are different) for 2 3/4" and 3" chambers, with a retaining O-ring and finger cut-out for easy shell extraction, CNC-machined from alloy steel. Most Zombie adapters are 3" long — the exception is the 12 gauge to .22 WMR and the 12 gauge to .22 LR, which are 2.650" long. It's also recommended for close range, but you will see no tumbling and a much tighter grouping of 1–2" — the 12 gauge to 9mm version typically shoots 1" at 30 feet, with an average velocity of 1084 FPS at 8 yards (+P not recommended). At $59.99 on sale to $89.99 standard pricing, it's the step up from Scavenger for anyone who wants a rifled bore on a budget.
Bug Out Series — more range for hunting
Bug Out is a mid-length 5" rifled adapter (twist rate is matched to the caliber), crowned for improved accuracy, with dual retaining O-rings and a finger cut-out for easy extraction, CNC-machined from 4140 alloy steel — designed to stow in a backpack yet stay accurate enough to hunt with. Bug Out should increase the range of the adapter by 20–30 yards over the close-range series: typically 1" or less at 30 feet, average velocity 1192 FPS at 8 yards on the 12 gauge to 9mm version, and you can take down prey up to 30–50 yards (+P not recommended). $109.99, with some models on sale (e.g., 20 gauge to .22 LR at $93.99).
Pathfinder Series — 8" rifled, the long-range line
The Pathfinder Series should increase the range of the adapter an additional 20–30 yards over Bug Out. The 12 gauge to 9mm Pathfinder is an 8" rifled adapter (1:10 twist on the 9mm version — twist varies by caliber; the .22 WMR Pathfinder is 1:16, for example) with dual retaining O-rings, a finger cut-out for easy shell extraction, and 4140 alloy steel CNC-machined construction — for 2 3/4" and 3" chambers (+P ammo not recommended). With a scope mounted on a 12 gauge H&R slug shotgun and the 12 gauge to .22 LR 8" rifled Pathfinder adapter, we have taken prairie dogs at 90–100 yards. This line is sponsored by Dave Canterbury of Dirty Rotten Survival and Dual Survival. Pathfinder adapters run $125.99–$139.99 on sale.
Third-party range results: American Shooting Journal tested the 12 gauge to .22 LR Pathfinder in a vintage H&R Topper 88 and got a 2" group at 15 yards with Federal 36-grain bulk .22 LR, using only the front bead sight. Read the review.
Shop Pathfinder Series adapters
About twist rate
Twist rate applies only to the rifled series (Zombie, Bug Out, Pathfinder, and Jury). The Scavenger Series is smooth bore — not rifled — so it has no twist rate. Among the rifled adapters, every caliber has a different twist rate, because the twist is what controls and stabilizes that caliber's bullet. A 9mm adapter has a different twist rate than a .22 LR adapter, and so on — there is no single twist rate for a series. Each rifled adapter is made with the twist matched to its caliber, so check the individual product page for that caliber's twist.
One rule for all four series
All of our adapters are designed for break-action (double or single barrel) shotguns ONLY. They will not cycle through pump or semi-automatic shotguns, and because of their weight they can damage or break extractor(s). See our FAQ page for more.
The one series not in the table: Jury
The Jury Series is a rifled line, but it's not for break-action shotguns — it's designed for guns chambered in .410/.45, such as the Taurus Judge, the S&W Governor, the Brawler, and derringers chambered in .410/.45. The adapter itself is 2.5" long and fits both 2.5" and 3" chambers. It's the same adapter in every pack — only the quantity changes: 5-packs for the Judge, 6-packs for the Governor, and 2-packs for derringers and Brawler guns (e.g., Derringer 2-packs from ~$99.99 sale, Governor 6-packs ~$299.99 sale). If you own a .410/.45-chambered gun, that's your line.