doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com 2 3/4" Chambered Brit Gun Question

Hi all, I have a couple of Brit guns that were made in 1967 and 1970 and are factory chambered for 2 3/4". They have been proofed under the Rules of 1954 (3 1/4 Tons psi).

My question is, would in your opinion it be safe to fire modern US 2 3/4" loads (1100 or so psi)?

Not a steady diet of our loads, just every now and then. I shoot 2 1/2" in my Brit guns, but always wondered about this.

Your thoughts please.

All the best!

Greg

I second that question!

I suffer from the same insecurities living as I do in a country where I do not always have a choice of what brand of 2 3/4 inch cartridges I can procure. It would be nice to know I can safely use SAAMI spec 2 3/4 inch cartridges in my Brit 2 3/4 inch 3 1/4 tons per square inch proofed guns.

All the best

Skeeterbd

Greg,

I'm sure you meant 1100 or so fps, not psi. Easy typo to make. However, although slower loads, like 1100 fps, may mean lower pressure it doesn't necessarily have to.

Do you have any specific loads in mind?

SRH

I think that Greg most likely just dropped a Zero & really intended 11,000 PSI. That 3� ton British proof was a lead crusher pressure & is aproximatly equivelent to 9,800 PSI.

Hi all, 2-piper is correct!

Thanks!

Greg

Greg, A master gunsmith told me 'a few' of the high powers would be ok in my English guns. But as you know, a steady diet would be real, real hard on your guns. They aren't built like Model 21's, that's for sure...they are more delicate. If I were you, I would stick to B and P or RST shells. Just plan ahead, you will be ok.

I would think that those guns should handle commercial loads quite easily. But there are are commercial loads and there are commercial loads. Stick with an AA or STS load you know and consider reloading.

Hi all and thanks! Like I said I shoot 2 1/2" loads in most of my guns (regardless of chamber length) and have plenty of B&P, RST and New Era's, but always wondered about this.

As these guns are modern not vintage, I thought shooting modern loads now and then won't hurt.

I was thinking about the cheap "Game Loads" for shooting pasture clays every now and then. But the pressure question always had me think twice about using them.

Thanks again and keep the comments coming!

Greg

.... ever pick up a gun & it felt loose? ... what about people asking if the gun is on-face, or have you ever heard the phrase "a bit off face".

Oh, this guy says it's okay, and this other guy knows a gunsmith who thinks it would be okay (like a dentist who tells his patients it's okay to eat candy), and then there is the guy who says his buddy does it all the time.

The British Proof House says it it proofed to 3 1/4 ton. The barrels, ribs, lug, and if these are not chopperlump barrels, the dovetail & welds have been tested to 3 1/4 ton, but have not been tested higher.

Guys shoot SAAMI loads in these guns all the time and they don't suffer catastrophic failure. However, they just aren't designed for it and more likely than not the SAAMI loading increases wear and the risk of stock damage if they are used a lot.

The marginal cost of using B-P or similar shells compared to the Wal-Mart variety isn't great enough to make me risk it and I switched to B-Ps and RSTs a long time ago for this reason. I would occasionally use the cheaper shells and fortunately did no visible damage but I just gave up on them - t'aint worth it!

My opinion only.