Can anyone tell me if the 12 gauge flares ie the Orion brand will/would fire from a straight bore shotgun safely? I'm thinking of carrying a few when I hunt, Seems like it would be alright, but I am somewhat reluctant to try it.

I have heard of people doing it, but never seen or tried it myself. Can't find any info on doing that at their website...

I fired one out of a full choke 12 guage. The flare projectile became stuck at the end of the barrel turning it cherry red. I have fired them successfully out of cylinder bore (no choke) shotguns. I usually carry a few of these rounds if I am hunting in a remote area and have an open bore shotgun. Be careful, you can ruin a good gun.

The gun I use when I hunt is an old Western Field model from the old Mongomery ward company. It was my Grandfathers, but it only has sentimental value. It is a bolt action with a three round capacity, one in the chamber and 2 in a detachable box magazine. It has a built in adjustible choke so I can even use it for waterfowl, not just deer.
What I'm trying to say is that my GrandFather would smack me in the backside of the head if I were to let sentiment dictate my use of the flares in an emergency.

I'm curious, what happened to the barrel? Did it warp under the heat?

Since much of the West is facing drought conditions and high risk of wildfires, flares are probably one of the least desirable signalling methods these days, at least in these regions. Well, I suppose starting a wildfire is one way to get noticed in an emergency.

Three to four inches at the end of the barrel were red hot but did not warp or melt. I had a gunsmith remove that section. I did not want it blowing up in my face that hunting season. This isn't something to mess around with.

Yup fired an orion brand in my remington 870 with straight bore (no choke) without a problem.

Marine flares are not meant to be used on land. Remember the woman a couple years back burned down loads of homes using a flare.

Being rescued from a raging inferno is not my idea of a good idea.

Damn. Don't tell him that! I'm partial to barbecued idiot...

Seriously, go into the main section of the site and read everything that Doug has to say on the matter.

We use flares a lot on trainings and searches, but on snow.

I have some flares that fire from a 30-06 also.

I wouldn't risk it Matt. IIRC, they don't get high enough to get out of some of the valleys around here, only a few hundred feet. And they land burning.

I'd say go with a good strobe.

It wasn't that I'm really thinking seriously about it. I have always wondered if was possible though I will admit to being a lot like Blast in some respects(35 years old and my parents still bring up the chemistry set incident of 1985 ). I primarily hunt in the valleys around Waterbury so you are right about using a different method of signalling. I do appreciate all of the input gang. Although I might just have to try it somday