Hi, unlike some folks, I don't see anything wrong with a well sleeved gun. If your a shooter/hunter a sleeved gun can add new life to a fine old gun that otherwise would be tossed on the trash heap. Granted if your a collector or looking for an investment piece, they are a drug.
Of course if the gun is sleeved it still must go thru proof (if it's a Brit gun). If it has not, then buyer beware big time. Just to many variables if it hasn't.
For the most part with sleeved bbls Wall thickness won't be an issue unless the sleeving was done years ago, but one recently sleeved should be just fine.
Try and find one with a seamless line or as faint as possible, one in proof of course. Also, look for one that has been balanced correctly, that's something only a hands on inspection will tell you.
As to loads, I'd shoot low pressure ones regardless. There's more than just the bbls at stake. You may have hairline cracks that could enlarge due to the recoil of higher pressure loads. Just not a wise thing to do. Besides, low pressure loads break clays and kill game just as well as high pressure ones.
As I said, a well sleeved gun can be a gem and the cost will be much lower for the same gun with original bbls.
These are just my opinions, I'm sure the flood gates will open on this on.
Best of luck to you!
Greg
