doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Who can make me a set of barrels?

I shoot only smokeless in my black powder proofed guns. If you read some of the DGJ articles, most black powder loads are/were higher pressure than Black. Most of the black powder scare is nonsense started by lawyers and the unknowledgeable. Quality
English and Belgium guns left the makers with about a 13-15000 psi proof.

Stallones

You are probably right. With the weight and thickness of these barrels, it would probably be OK to shoot some of the lower power smokeless loads in this gun.

I need to look up the proof marks on this gun and see what loads it was proofed under.

Bob,

I shoot RST smokeless loads in all of my BP-only guns. I have a 140 year old G.W. Bales hammer gun in 12 that sees regular hunting use. I think the condition of the barrels is the only limiting factor. Hope that helps!

AB, you are much more likely to damage the action with a diet of modern high pressure loads than burst a barrel. Getting new 2 3/4" chambered barrels doesn't solve your issue at all.
BP loads are not necessarily safer to shoot nor are they necessarily easier on the gun. BP and "normal" nitro loads have very similar pressure-displacement curves. BP burns much hotter than modern nitro powders and is far harder to clean. There are plenty of 2 1/2" and 2 3/4" low pressure light shot loads from the factories and reloads.

Wouldn't it be more fun and cheaper to go spend about $300-500 on reloading equipment and learn how to reload properly for this gun as is?

I've had damascus guns I've been shooting smokeless loads out of for over 5 yrs. My pet load runs around 6500 psi with a 1 ounce payload at 1150 fps, uses a relatively moderate burning powder that burns clean and doesn't have any cold weather ignition problems. I've used it on wild roosters with #5 shot, wild quail with #7.5 shot, and clays with #7.5 shot. I've never felt handicapped with this load, compared to a "modern" gun.

ChuckH

Reloading equipment I have, interested in the load you are running.

Rocketman
I noticed that the gun warmed up some when shooting BP shells
Also I have come to the conclusion that the action would take a beating with modern loads in a new set of barrels.

So, the plan is to come up with some 2 -1/2" low pressure loads, and run the occasional BP loads through it for fun, and start saving for another nice double.

There are many loads to suit your needs/desires. Mine is a full length 2 3/4" star crimped Federal Gold Medal Paper hull. I shoot it in 2 9/16 - 2 5/8" chambers. You may not feel comfortable with doing this. My load was pressure tested in a short chamber.

Would it be worth while to look into having the gun reproofed, say in the UK, for your piece of mind? That said, I have no idea what the expense would be.

I noticed that the gun warmed up some when shooting BP shells BP heats a gun up in a hurry!Also I have come to the conclusion that the action would take a beating with modern loads in a new set of barrels.

So, the plan is to come up with some 2 -1/2" low pressure loads, and run the occasional BP loads through it for fun, and start saving for another nice double. Unless you are shooting 2 1/2" just because you like 2 1/2", I'd suggest you consider 7/8 oz - 1 oz shot loads at 1050 - 1200 fps with a powder giving 7500 psi or less pressure in a 2 3/4" hull (compression formed, preferably). For 7/8 oz loads, I use 700X and PB for 1 oz to 1 1/8 oz loads. There are plenty of loads in the various manuals. You are looking at 20 gauge performance and few now question that as adequate.

Kilibru
Reproofing the gun runs the risk of having no gun afterwards.

Rocketman
Some of RST Falcon Ultra Lite #8 7/8oz 2 -1/2" 12g sounds about right, if I want to buy some.

Will try and find some low power recipes.
Thanks