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Apr 29th, 2024
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 392
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 392 |
Good idea. I color code the primers using a permanent magic marker.
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 196
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 196 |
Forgot to mention in my previous post that when scouting for possible gun acquisitions, I must admit that if a particular gun piques my interest but does NOT have damascus tubes I feel a little let down. I'm likely to pass on an otherwise attractive gun, as silly as that may seem to some I feel the same way, Krakow Kid. Damascus or twist barrels just add a certain "class" to a gun that fluid steel can never have (IMO). After all, I'm way, way past the stage of buying a do all gun. There's a special charm to reach back a century or more and join hands with the old men and to enjoy the product of their never to be repeated skills. I am definitely in this camp as well. The sheer variety and beauty of Damascus barrels continues to amaze me, and I shoot regularly with two Damascus barrelled guns - one an 1870 Reilly 12 bore and another an 1877 Paton 8 bore. Just a shame the over/under Purdey Damascus guns are 104k each!
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 869
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 869 |
Rookhawk...you know Tom?!?!?
And yes...I shoot a lot of loads in damascus guns.
Best,
Mark
 Ms. Raven
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,598
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,598 |
I own and shoot a fair number of damascus barrel guns. Something over 20 at present. I have unfinished tubes and an example barrel sitting here. Of all the damascus guns that I own, there is only 1 I will not shoot. It is a Schrade with Bernard damascus barrels.  The reason is that the barrel walls 2" from the breech are much too thin. I measure them at .118". If you are going to invest in damascus guns, have them measured. If you are going to invest in a large number, purchase all the tools needed to properly measure them yourself. Purchase or reload shells to the proper pressures. Check for stuck wads between shots. At this time, I shoot RST in all my vintage guns regardless of barrel composition. Pete
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 286 Likes: 6
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 286 Likes: 6 |
I have 3 Damascus guns. One is a 3" 10 ga. Ithica 1889 Crass pigeon gun. Reload 9 K psi. shells for this and use it for waterfowl. Next is an H grade LeFever 12. ga. 28" barrells with Ejectors; reloads of 9 K psi. Last is a 1916 Greener hammer gun 12 ga. export grade that I use for ZZ birds; I shoot modern WW and Federal pigeon loads and handloads to same specs.
All have been reviewed by competant tradesman and are in excellent condition.
I love them; especially as the warnings cause folks to sell them CHEAP.
W. E. Boyd
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 707
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 707 |
775 - Yes I do know the gentleman of which you speak. I'm rather fond of him so I with held further incriminating him for his terrible, self inflicted damascus maiming.
One thing that people are alluding to in this thread is "color coding" and other methods of marking their loads for vintage guns.
I suggest going to one level further of extreme "shell hygiene": I do not own cartridges that are not 2.5". I found that bought in bulk, I can use B&P low pressure 2.5" shells for exactly the same price as any other case priced modern ammo and frankly, the B&Ps are better. Why chance it? I just refuse to own any modern high pressure 12 bore ammo so I know I'm never going to have an accident. (or for that matter, break a wrist on a fine gunstock due to heavy recoil)
I came to the above conclusion after shooting my modern fine Spanish sidelock using bismuth shells that were hot loads. (not reloads) After discharge, the gun took some amount of work in the field to get it to open and eject. It made me realize just how hot those loads really were. Funny thing, I didn't do any better with the hotrod loads in bismuth or steel than I did with the light 2.5" loads for dropping pheasants at 40 yards. A great pattern and a square load (no shot stringing) seems to be more valuable than the extra shot and speed that modern loads provide.
I'll keep it vintage and safe for all my guns.
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 185
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 185 |
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 62
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 62 |
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,071
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,071 |
Very interesting reading the posts on those of you who shoot damascus or twist. I have a few shotguns from the early 1900's but none are damascus. Reason being that every time I thought I might acquire one, I would read on another forum (which I won't name) that a person is crazy to shoot any damascus gun with any load. That was before I joined this forum. Now I know condition has a lot to do with any type of gun, old or new, but after reading these posts me thinks if I come across a nice damascus barreled gun, I will be adding it to the collection. And like already mentioned, many of these can be had for cheap because of the " they are dangerous and no good for anything" stories that are so prevalent.
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,081 Likes: 473
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,081 Likes: 473 |
I do not own cartridges that are not 2.5". I found that bought in bulk, I can use B&P low pressure 2.5" shells for exactly the same price as any other case priced modern ammo and frankly, the B&Ps are better. Why chance it? I just refuse to own any modern high pressure 12 bore ammo so I know I'm never going to have an accident. (or for that matter, break a wrist on a fine gunstock due to heavy recoil)
Rookhawk, I didn't see any low pressure 2.5" shells at B&P's site. I saw a 2.5" 12 gauge, but it was recommended for modern guns. Where are you finding the low pressure B&P's?
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