Steve: Have your brother get that Meriden out and shoot it, but you may want to have a good gunsmith look it over first. A good source of ammo is: http://www.classicusc.com/Shotshells_s/139.htm

Pete: Picture is of my older brother the skeet shooter. We were pheasant hunting in NW ND and after lunch decided to walk my favorite sharptail section. I uncased the Aubrey and got out the box of 2.5" paper shells. He latched onto the gun and wouldn't give it up so I just handled the pointing dogs. At the end of the mile walk he handed me back 5 empties, and the first shot went straight up when the hammer slipped. The birds behaved as expected in mid-season and didn't tolerate any roading by dog or human. Fortunately we had good scenting conditions, steady dogs, and a 30" extra full barrel. Sharptails in MN are pretty scarce now-a-days, with a very abbreviated season. I'd be happy to have a walk with you on the same section if you were out that way.

Bryan