doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Heavy Loads in Older SxS's ?

I should have stated that my older American SxS's have been "restored" and updated with epoxy bedding in buttstocks/heads. Even so, I deem it wise to avoid any 12 ga. loads heavier than 1-1/8 oz.

Some friends use heavier loads.

JERRY

Jerry,

No need to give up your heavier shot loads. I use the 1 1/4 oz 12 gauge loads listed under RST's Premium Grade as Pheasant loads. They pattern like all get out from my "made in 1894" Remington 1894 D grade damascus SxS. Listed as low pressure just like their other offerings.
http://www.rstshells.com/rst_classic_shotshells_shotshells.htm

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Yeah, but they're 2 3/4", which I believe had been the standard chamber length in old American guns, like your Remington, but not so on old British guns.

My Westley Richards had its chambers lengthened to 2 3/4", probably to help it sell over here, but I still only use 2 1/2" loads out of deference to its 1890 British beginnings.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. I have had the stocks of LCs and one Fox split while shooting nothing heavier than 1 ounce loads at moderate (1200 fps) velocities so I have taken to glass bedding the stock heads and insuring that the action screws are all tight on all of my vintage guns as a precaution against splitting. Since glass bedding my actions I have not had a stock show any signs of cracking even when occasionally shooting moderately heavy ounce and one eighth loads in my 16 gauge Fox, Lefever, Parker and LC. I have given up shooting 12 gauge but do dabble in 10 gauge doubles that are more than 125 years old but keep the velocities in the 1100 fps range and don't exceed one and a quarter ounce loads. As far as chamber pressures go I stay at of below 9,500 psi in my steel barreled guns and at or below 7500 psi in my damascus barreled guns.

That would be true with British guns, but I was directing my answer to Jerry's original question which was.... "To what extent are so-called heavy loads likely to damage an older American classic SxS?"

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If I'm not mistaken Remington 1894/1900s had 2 5/8" chamber for 12 ga. My 1902 1900 does.

Drew posted pics of cracks in some American classics...here is a 1937 Sterly I tracked all the way back to the rear tang.

The PRE-SAVAGE, prior to 1930 manufactured, "Fox Built" Sterly's had a factory corrugated nail placed horizontally in that 'crack likely' ROTARY BOLT area just for that reason.....I guess Savage dropped that to save some cost....i.e. the result is as you have pictured.....

The Fox built guns, pre 1930, will usually "hair line" crack near the side panels where the receiver fits very tight and firm against the old wood.....if heavy loads are used consistently ......glass bedding of course helps........

oops, completely missed that, Model2128ga. My apologies.

PA24; odd you should mention the corrugated nail. Just finished this about an hour ago; heavy wire, legs included, imbedded in Acraglass with legs that go all the way through the wood.