doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Does this even make sense? (Reloading question)

I have zero idea about reloading but a recent text conversation with a friend of mine in Western India raised a lot of questions.

My friend owns a W R Leeson hammerless 20 gauge boxlock sxs. He has loads of ammo for his 2 1/2 inch chambered gun of the correct length and weight of shot but all in 7 1/2 size. This works perfectly well for his upland bird shooting (poaching while the authorities look the other way, so long as you don’t overdo it and don’t go after “schedule 1” animals and don’t upset local religious or other customs). A few partridges and sandgrouse is acceptable, but a full scale attack is a no no.


The sort of bag. This one consists of grey partridges and common sandgrouse.

However he has a problem. The 7 1/2 shot is too small for the hares he loves to shoot and which are very plentiful in his area.

He recently sent me the photo below:



This prompted the following conversation:



I have no idea if the recipe at the end has any meaning at all. It seems to me to follow the principles of those magical chefs who produce a perfect dish with ingredients put together entirely “by eye”!

I would love to hear your opinions, receive any education to pass on to my friend, and any data or info regarding the above, or if you need any more info.

The one thing going for my friend is that he hasn’t blown himself up! Yet!

Thanks for your help

All the best

Skeeterbd.

Makes sense

Both powders are usable at 2 Dram level

FF English is Black Powder

Curtis’s & Harvey Smokeless Diamond is a early powder

3/4 ounce of shot is nice for a 2 1/2 inch load

https://www.vintageguns.co.uk/magazine/early-smokeless-powders

Thank you skeettx

Any idea of the pressures generated?

All the best

Skeeterbd.

In 1894, John Hall & Son introduced “Cannonite”, manufactured by the War and Sporting Smokeless Powder Co. The company was acquired by Curtis & Harvey in 1896 and the powder became “Smokeless Diamond” in 1903.

1896 UK Rules of Proof Service Charges for Nitro Powder
https://books.google.com/books?id=inQCAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA7



William Bruette, Guncraft: Guns, Ammunition, Wing & Trap Shooting, 1912
https://books.google.com/books?id=5g51K93as84C&pg=PA210&dq
Pressures converted from long tons/sq. inch to psi by Burrard’s formula
Curtis & Harvey’s Smokeless Diamond is a 33 gr. = 3 Dram powder. It is not equivalent by volume to Black Powder and must be weighed
12g 2 1/2” case 39 gr. (3 1/2 Dram) 1 3/16 oz. = 11,984 psi
12g 2 1/2” case 33 gr. (3 Dram) 1 1/8 oz. = 9,632 psi
12g 2 1/2” case 33 gr. (3 Dram) 1 oz. = 8,288 psi

Tell him to buy a .22 rifle

Well done, Drew.

He has one.

DRAM REFERENCE for FFg (2F) per 1975 Lyman Black Powder Handbook

One Dram = 27.34 grains of 2F black powder
2 dram (volume) of 2F = 54.68 grains/11 grains per dram equivalent for Smokeless Diamond = almost 5 Dram Eq.

BUT the early Bulk Smokeless 42 gr. / 3 dram ("E.C." and "Schultze" = 14 grains/dram) COULD be loaded volumetrically equivalent to 82 grain / 3 Dram black powder

SO Smokeless Diamond 11 grains/dram if loaded volumetrically COULD be about 1.27 X the 14 grains/dram Bulk powders by volume.
So 2 dram volumetrically might be about 28 grains Smokeless Diamond or about 2 1/2 Dr. Eq.

And I'm only guessing and have no clue

Thank you Reverend.

Not sure I was of help, but I think the best advice for your friend is to weigh the Smokeless Diamond, and to please let us know how many grains he is using at 2 dram volumetrically.