doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com 28 gauge question

I have a 1930 vintage 28 gauge w/65 mm chambers. How do I satisfy myself it was proofed for 3/4 / 21.25g loads rather than somethin lighter?

If it's an American double or pump I would check chamber length and if short have it lengthened to a long forcing cone 2.75 chamber and use it. 5/8 oz loads for the 28 are common in other countries and do a real job on dove from my experience in Argentina. You may be able to find them here in the States. If the gun is a super light Brit or Flues I don't feel qualified to make recomendations.
bill

What is the gun? Can you show a picture or describe the proof marks (if it is a gun from a proof country)?

It is very unlikely that it was proofed with 3/4 ounce loads regardless in which country it was manufactured or proofed. In my 65MM 28 gauge guns of very light weight, I use thinwall 2 3/4" plastic cases such as AA and load them with between 1/2 and 5/8 ounces of shot with slightly reduced powder charges and a filler. In heavier 65MM 28 gauge guns such as Parkers, I use standard 3/4 ounce target loads, either factory or reloaded. What make is your 28, Hal?

In the beginning, the "standard" 28-gauge load in the U.S. was 1 3/4 drams equiv. and 5/8 ounce of shot in a 2 1/2 inch shell. RST is currently putting up a lovely little recreation of this shell. The Super-X 28-gauge shell came out in 1932 with 3/4 ounce of shot in a 2 7/8 inch case and the pre WW-II Model 12s and Ithaca and Parker Bros. doubles were chambered for this caseb. After WW-II the 28-gauge loads began being put up in 2 3/4 inch cases, and post WW-II Model 12 28-gauge guns were chambered for 2 3/4 inch shells.

Actually, clear back in his 1910 book The American Shotgun, Chas. Askins writes about handloading 3/4 ounce 28-gauge loads in 2 7/8 inch cases for his 6 3/4 pound 30-inch barrel Parker Bros. 28-gauge gun.

I agree with Researcher that the RST 2 1/2" loads are the way to go with your gun if you don't want to reload. rstshells.com

Gun is Belgian and barrel markings indicate post 1930 manufacture. Same source indicated that the 28 gauge guns were
proofed for 21.25 gram loads--which appear to be 3/4 ounce.

Were 65 mm chambers designed for 3/4 ounce loads [per the 21.25g statement] or something else?

Many thanks

According to a previous recent discussion, Salopian advised a 9/16 oz. load is appropriate for 2 1/2" proof. My belgian is a 1963 guild gun with hammers and weighs under 5 pounds. I am working on the gun but I anticipate shooting a 5/8 oz. load with a slower burning low pressure load. HS6 was one of the recommended powders by a board member.

21.25 grams of shot with 3.6 grams of powder was the service load in 1906. The proof load was heavier. The proof law changed in 1924, but I do not know how it impacted the 28ga loads.

Pete

In Burrard's load chart he shows the 2½" 28ga standard as 1 3/4dram or DE with 9/16oz shot, with recommended size of #7 & smaller (British size). He also gives a "Low Velocity" load of 1½ Dr or equiv, with 3/4oz shot, recommended for size 5 or 6.
The 5 & 6 are approx equivelent to our #6 & #7. For sizes equivelent to our #7½ or smaller he does not recommend the low velocity load.