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Forums10
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Apr 27th, 2024
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 160
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 160 |
I am looking at an old sidelock that is a two barrel set. The barrels are advertised as blackpowder only. Its a 12 bore.
My question: what would my shell options be for this gun?
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,417 Likes: 314
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,417 Likes: 314 |
None until the barrels have been carefully evaluated; which takes the time, interest, expertise, and tools to be done properly. Really.
I have witnessed a dealer running a wall thickness gauge quickly down the bottom (usually the thickest part) of a barrel, declaring the MWT is ___ and the barrels are "fine for light loads". That is meaningless.
As a guide, 1 1/8 oz. 3 Drams (83 gr) Curtis & Harvey’s No. 4, T.S. Black Powder (similar to FFg) was about 6500 psi.
1 1/8 oz. 3 Drams (1200 fps) of DuPont FFFg Black Powder (82 grains) is about 5000 psi.
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,815 Likes: 4
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,815 Likes: 4 |
Blackpowder only likely means they are English without Nitro proofs. If the gun is in good condition I would use any ammo under about 7000 psi. RST and B&P 1 oz(6600 psi) are my favorites
Last edited by Stallones; 03/10/16 12:03 PM.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,964 Likes: 89
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,964 Likes: 89 |
Blackpowder only likely means they are English without Nitro proofs. If the gun is in good condition I would use any ammo under about 7000 psi. RST and B&P 1 oz(6600 psi) are my favorites I totally agree. IMO light nitro loads can actually be gentler on the gun than blackpowder ammunition. And I shoot a LOT in guns similar to what you are describing.
When an old man dies a library burns to the ground. (Old African proverb)
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 160
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 160 |
This is exciting. I will of course have it looked over by a competent double gun expert, but that settles my purchase.
Thanks!
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,199 Likes: 7
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,199 Likes: 7 |
Good luck with your purchase - send pictures.... Now to something else: None until the barrels have been carefully evaluated; which takes the time, interest, expertise, and tools to be done properly. Really.
I have witnessed a dealer running a wall thickness gauge quickly down the bottom (usually the thickest part) of a barrel, declaring the MWT is ___ and the barrels are "fine for light loads". That is meaningless.
.... While I understand uneven wall thickness is pretty much a given, there's a whole new thread in that boldfaced part - lotsa explaining to do why the bottom and no other part is usually the thickest. All ears here.
fiery, dependable, occasionally transcendent
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Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 54 Likes: 12
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 54 Likes: 12 |
Does anyone use Pyrodex rather than black powder for re loading. I load for my old Midland hammer sbs which is in similar condition to the OPs gun and find that loads around 7-8000psi are pretty gentle but effective. Its also much cleaner than BP.
As our language becomes impoverished,,our thinking shrinks to fit.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,417 Likes: 314
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,417 Likes: 314 |
Just my experience Dave. The lateral wall is usually the thinnest. I have never draw filed a barrel so have no cogent explanation, but would certainly appreciate the thoughts of others.
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 666 Likes: 45
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 666 Likes: 45 |
Interesting, both my Greeners (1879 and 1892) were .005-.006 thinner on the bottom of the barrels (in the distal third at least). The thickest measurements were on the outside walls.
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 14,125 Likes: 198
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 14,125 Likes: 198 |
The thickest and thinest walls are where they measure that way. No fair guessing. If it is a gun you are writing a check for, you measure everything; up, down, left, right, front, back, and all combinations. I went to an auction to buy a cased pair of pre WWl William Evans sidelocks a few years ago. The full measurement of both barrels in both guns took me and an assistant maybe fifteen minutes, probably less. If the measurements had been bad, it could have cost me a fortune if I had bought the gun. As it turned out, the barrels were as proofed, unmodified for bore or choke. How would I have known without $200 worth of bore gauges and wall thickness gauges?
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