doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Reloading 2 1/2"

BPI has sent load recipes to me when I asked via email. They may have some 2.5" recipes that they would email or FAX to you.

I have read that roll crimped loads tend to have lower pressures than similar fold crimped loads. In a paper hull the difference may be small. I think the overshot card pops out from under the roll easier than a fold crimp opens, especially for a plastic hull.

Ballistician Larry Nailon mentioned in an article that loads with some wads, such as the old Federal Champion and the Windjammer with staircase cage push the crimp open from the center, and show lower peak pressures compared with loads using wads that push the crimp open at the roll. I think the roll crimped load would open easily like the claim for Champion or Windjammer loads.

Hello RGH2, Please post some pictures, or links to pictures, of what TOBY BARCLAY built for you. Toby Barclay always brings some very nice restored English Side-By-Sides to THE SOUTHERN SXS and THE VINTAGE CUP. At The Southern SXS Toby will usually let you take out his restored guns and try them out. Toby usually brings about a dozen or so restored and sleeved side-by-sides to The Southern SXS for normal sized people to try out. If you are extra tall or short then you will have to get him to build you a custom restored gun. I have been after Toby to build me an extra heavy and extra long 16 gauge SXS but so far he has not found a suitable old SXS to start with. Good Shooting To You, Jent

http://www.heritageguns.co.uk/hgframset.htm

rgh2, Based on what I've read on this thread, go ahead and load light 2 3/4" loads roll crimped in a 2.5 gun. They certainly work for me, for what that may be worth. Of course you know what assumption does. As to pressure testing, alas, no B'ham Proof House readily available for those of us in the colonies that I'm aware of. You can, however, have your loads proof tested for pressure and velocity. Contact precisionreloading.com, cool guy. He does--at least did---offer proof testing of your ammuntion for $45. In addition, he offers lots of shotgun handloading components, some of which could be useful to you.

Good luck,
Steve

RGH2, Is this the SXS that you just purchased ????

http://www.heritageguns.co.uk/A&N%20SLever%20Ham/A&N%20SLever%20Ham%20Details.htm

I agree with Stallones. I use PB with claybuster 1 oz. of shot for my 12g. loads and get 5100 psi that works summer and winter. I use Gun Club hulls because they are thinner than the STS so less goes into the forcing cone.

I have cut STS down to 2 1/2" and used the Harten crimp which is simply loading like a 2 3/4 inch hull so no changes are necessary for the loader but use an overshot 20g. card to keep everything in. The original crimp is still there. When you look at the front of the shell you see a circle left open and the overshot card which you can mark or color for different loads. Everyone thinks it is hysterical when you fire these shells and confetti comes out of the gun.

Mr. Mitchell, the answer is yes. I have been looking at Mr. Barclay's guns for years and had not seen just the right one except for the Blanch that he brought to Las Vegas a few years ago. It was a knockout back action sidelock damascus 2 3/4" with exhibition wood. But it was over $8,000 and I was shortly to leave for Africa again. If I could stop myself from going to Africa I could buy nicer guns. But the Army & Navy hit me just right. The stock dimensions are good for me at 6-2. The sidelever is fascinating and I badly need at hammer gun.
Thank you gentlemen for the new info. I'll keep plugging away at the 2 1/2" load.

Hello rgh2, If you are 6 feet 2 inches tall you need to borrow some of my side by sides to shoot. I have had several of them converted to much longer buttstocks. Are you right handed ??? Jent ---- With two of us bugging Toby maybe we can get him to build us some long heavy clay target shotguns.

Mitch, I can deal with 14 3/4" LOP but 15" or even a little longer is better. Many older English guns have a pretty long LOP compared with American guns. I usually add a pad for more length.

Richard

Stallones and Builder, Have you tried 15 grs. of 700x 1oz. @ 5000psi loads if so why do you prefer the PB [ lower recoil,use in other loads]. Just curious.

No I have not tried 700 x. It is a great powder,but I am so used
to 7625,Pb and Green Dot that it is hard to change. I get nervous with Single based fast powders as 700x because with a 2X load by mistake it could be serious. That is unlike with the three above because of the bulkiness.