Yes, I read the mans post. He said non-magnum 2 3/4" factory loads... the kind that generate in excess of 11,000 psi... far more than what was on the market when this gun was built. Are we even sure the gun has 2 3/4" chambers? You are quite correct that there were good stiff fowling loads in use when this gun was ordered. They were plenty stout enough to hunt certain species to the brink of extinction. But they were loaded with black or the then new bulk smokeless that did not produce the pressures that even low brass Wally World loads produce today.
Did you actually read MY posting? I never told him to hide his gun in a closet. Doubleshot can have his cake and eat it too. He can easily buy or reload shells that will do what he wants without cracking his 100 year old wood or springing his action. I hope he takes you up on your offer of free ammo, but I hope he shoots it in a gun that was designed to handle it.
I hunt and target shoot with my old doubles. I believe, as you do, that was their intended purpose. Maybe I like them more than you, because I choose not to slowly destroy mine. I like to think that future generations can enjoy them too because I wasn't so arrogant as to say, "It's my gun, and I'll f**k it up if I want to."
I like to think that if I am ever fortunate enough to own an Optimus or A-1 Special, that I would shoot it and take it hunting. That would be cool. But I sure as hell won't be stuffing a factory load that is stiffer than a 1900 era proof load into it just to try to reach a duck or pheasant five yards further out. What would that prove? That I'm not quick enough or good enough to shoot at a reasonable range?
