Back from the Prince George County skeet and trap range yesterday. Did a round of sporting clays with my 10 gauge Darne using gaugemate golds to reduce to 12 gauge.
Tried to use a very old case of gamebore 2-1/2" 12 gauge #7-1/2. The brass head was bulging and the right barrel would not extract. Decided that was unsafe(!) and went back to Win AA 1 oz loads. No problem. Not sure if the gamebore was just a bit small at the head, or if the powder had become too hot with age. Yes, the split in the inserts risks to damage the plastic or paper hulls, especially with larger shot and slightly faster loads. Considering the cost of 10 gauge shells, I'm willing to lose the prospect of reloading a few 12 gauge hulls.
On chamber wear, recall that you must lightly lubricate the inserts. Key is not to lubricate the gaugemate inserts too much. I've overlubricated, and had the Darne pull the inserts out and drop them in the Namibian sands (shooting pigeon and sand grouse). Ends a shoot that.
Regards
