doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Safe shells forDamascus ?

I finally took the leap-I am impatiently awaiting my first Damascus SxS, a Remington 1894 12 ga! I would like to shoot it some, and have researched many of the former posts on the subject. For max safety and effectiveness for clays and grouse, which would you recommend, the Gamebore, Fiocchi, Polywad, or RST, and which particular variation (plastic vs. paper, cost,21/2 or 23/4, etc)? I would like to keep pressures below theoretical max, and verified pressures seem to be hard to come by.
I have shot the Gamebores in the past, and found them pretty dirty but effective. I liked the Polywads as well, but am unsure of the pressure. I also hear great things about the RST's. At some point I'll probably start reloading, but not right off. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks much
Rick

Rick - I'd just start loading right off the bat. There are several loads listed on the imr website with imr 7625 and PB powder that are under 5000 psi, and so labelled. If you load your own, not only can you apply the $ you will spend for factory ammo towards the equipment and components for loading, but you won't have to worry about checking each time you place an order for factory ammo to make sure the pressures haven't changed. The only factory ammo I have used in damascus guns is the Federal Vintage Gold Medal 12 ga 7/8 oz. load. These are available only from Midwayusa. They are 5000 psi. Not only will these work fine for you, but will leave you with empties that reload nicely. Last time I purchased they were about $75.00 per flat or $8.00 per box. Bill

I use the 2 1/2 inch Polywad Vintagers for targets and doves and the Polywad DoubleWides for quail. Both are effective, have no recoil, and are advertized to keep pressure levels at 5,000 PSI. I shoot them in a damascus Lefever, a Gr. 2 Smith and a Smith hammergun, and a couple of old English (a Reilly) and Belgian guns. Truth is I shoot the low pressure Doublewides in some guns that don't remotely need them because they're so effective on kick'em-up quail and so easy on recoil...Geo

I've only shot Gamebore Black powder shells in my 1894 AE.
They kind of go with the gun of this era.

I shoot black owder reloads (no special equipment needed) or Winchester AA Low recoil/noise or Xtra-lites in my 1878 Colt.
Steve

Loading shells for quanity shooting on a clay target range for use in warm weather is one thing. Loading them for hunting purposes where the weather might get a little "Nippy" is another. Personally for hunting use I seldom go below 7500 psi. I would run as fast as I could from any load with any brand of powder as slow burning as 7625 in a sub 5000 psi load if it got below about 70°F.

2-Piper,

Excuse my ignorance, as I am not well versed on loads/pressure, temps, etc... I just find a load I like and stick with it. With that said, tell me why you would be concerened about 5000 PSI loads in cold weather. I shoot the Federal Vintage Gold shells alot from Midway and would like to know your thoughts on this load in cold weather. I used them all last season on quail and didn't have any issues. What would the problem be on the loads you described?

I have used Fiocchi 2 3/4 x 1 , Gamebore XLR 1 oz etc in the 1894 Remington. 19 gr. Pb and 24 gr 7625 with 1 oz is also a nice low pressure reload with STS or AA cases.

What 2-Piper meant was that IMR 7625 just doesn't burn very well in colder temperatures. I shoot a lot of the stuff in the summer but when it comes bird season I switch to IMR PB, which seems to burn well down at least to temperatures that I'm wanting to head for the car--and the bar. For what it's worth, the 1894 is built hell for stout and you should have no concern about strength if the gun is in good condition.

My pet load for my 12g damascus guns uses a full length 2 3/4" Fed paper hull, Fed primer, 17.5 gr Clays, Fed 12S3 wad, 1 oz shot, star crimp, 1150 fps, 6500 psi measured in a 2 9/16" chamber in high 70F temps. I've only shot it down to low 40's F but it worked well on SD roosters. I think the Clays is faster than other powders being used by most damascus reloaders.