I came across this old TGS Outdoors video on Youtube. They were testing standard steel shot 2 3/4 inch, 28 gram, #5, shotgun cartridges in a vintage W. Richards of Liverpool, 2 1/2 inch chambered SxS, choked IC/IM. They fired a box of cartridges through the gun without any ill effects, other than recoil. However, the "newer" old Spanish Ugartechea shotgun discussed, did have some barrel damage from using 3 inch magnum steel, specifically, some slight rivelling, a bulge on the left barrel at the choke end, and a recoil disintegrated shotgun safety.
The testers did allude to recoil being an issue with lighter guns, as LeFusil and Drew had commented on previously in this thread. The older fellow stated that he once had an 8 lb. Webley & Scott made Greener Empire wildfowling gun. He said that he took it off face shooting just a half a box of 3 inch magnum Canadian Imperial Cartridges (SAAMI? lead loads) through it back in the 1970’s.
They did mention the American Remington shotgun pressure test at the end of the video.
So my take away, even though barrels may take the increased pressures, it doesn’t necessarily mean the action, stock and shooter can take the effects of the associated recoil. Anyway, I thought it was an interesting discussion.
English Guns and Steel Shot_____
TC
