doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com 2 1/2-in. 16b question

Howdy folks. After a long time looking, I've acquired a 16b Sterlingworth with 30-in. barrels. It's all original, including the 2 1/2-in. chambers. I know RST and Polywad offer 1-oz. 2 1/2-in. 16's, but I have a few flats of B&P 1 1/16-oz 2 5/8-in. loads. Reckon it's OK to use these in this gun, or should I wait until I have the 2 1/2-in. loads in hand? Thanks.

If you know (or can find out) the pressure of those loads, and if they are low pressure shells designed along the lines of the PolyWad Vintagers and similar loads (7,000 psi +-) they should be o.k. I understand when the Fox guns were originally built it was routine to chamber shotguns a tad short, had to do with the old felt and card wads, I believe. As such, the extra 1/8" should not be a major factor IF the pressure level of the shell is acceptable.

Thank you, Chief. The pressure on this load--the F2 Classic--is 9,867 p.s.i., in case anyone else out there has the same question.

Maybe being a litle picky, but chambers in this gun should be 2 9/16", not 2½". While several chamber lengths were available to order "most" older American guns will have 2½" chambers in 20 & 28 ga, 2 9/16" in 16ga, & 2 5/8" in 12ga with 2 3/4" being also very common in the heavier "waterfowl" 12ga's. Do not automatically assume any early 12ga with a 2 3/4" chamber has been lengthened. By the l;ate 30's all had been more or less standardized at 2 3/4" except the 28 which was 2 7/8" for a period of time.

Call PolyWad in Macon, Georgia. They'll have what you need. I believe I would use those F2 Classic loads in another more modern gun.

The B&P F2 Classic 1 1/16 are 67mm but are NOT low pressure at 1280 fps and 9,867 psi.
I just measured the chamber of a buddy's 16g very early Utica gun which was indeed 2 and 1/2". This thread discusses chamber length of classic American SxSs http://www.16ga.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1983
I would suggest giving the gun a good check and clean by a doublegun specialist smith and also examining the head of the stock for cracks. No reason not to lengthen the chamber which might decrease recoil a bit-good for you and your 80 year old wood. If you get the OK-the Sterly should handle those loads fine on a limited basis and they are indeed great pheasant whackers.
BTW: I limit my 16g LCs to 8000 psi and there are LOTS of options now for low pressure 16g loads
Polywad 'Vintager' http://www.polywad-shotgun-shells.com
Eley subsonic/low recoil http://eleyshotshells.com
ARMUSA 'Vintage' http://www.armusa-performance.com
Kent http://www.firearmservice.com
RST http://www.rstshells.com 570-553-1651

While caution with higher pressure loads in older guns is a good thing, it sometimes gets taken too far. Its wise to use shells loaded to the pressures the gun was designed to handle. If your sterlingworth has fluid steel barrels with nomial bore diameters and no external thinning then it should have sufficient barrel wall thickness to handle moderate pressure nitro loads. It was designed for such loads. Personally I would shoot the F2s in such a gun without concern about damage from a sub 10,000 psi service pressure. However, if the gun is 6.25 lbs or less, then you should be prepared for handling a bit of recoil from those F2s. With 30" barrels, I suspect your sterlingworth weighs a bit over 6.25 lbs. So recoil may not be an issue for you.

Remember the 1925 SAAMI standard.

From "Proof Tests and Proof Marks, Part IV: Practices of Manufacturers in the United States", by LTC Calvin Goddard, May-June 1934 Army Ordnance Magazine

2-9/16 16g 10,100 psi "Service Working Limits"

If your Sterlingworth is a 1925 or newer gun, then it should deal with the "Classic" with aplomp. In addition, the SAAMI standards were themselves set to reflect "...maximum requirements reported by the leading companies.. they are intended to cover all variations" .

If the gun is in good condition, I would sweat neither the ammo nor lengthening the chambers. I know of no experimental data that suggests that chamber lengthening reduces recoil.

Regards

GKT

Not to quibble, but I think the B&P 16's are closer to 1 1/32 oz--29 gram, if I recall correctly. I shot them in a Poli which was lighter than your Fox (but newer, of course) with excellent results on wild pheasants. That being said, I would not have wanted to shoot a round of clays with them--not because of pressure, but because of recoil. With light 16's, I've always worked up 7/8 oz reloads for target shooting. Easier on both the gun and the shooter.

Not sure about this B&P "Linguini brand". Remember when guy showed us pic of box of std 2&3/4" target loads and it stated they should not be used in gun with proof of 1370bar or less? I seem to recall that dark blue box with warning sticker clearly, am I wrong?
Like Throny, I would go with Gamebore BP or shells of equivalent pressure in this ole' gal.