The recent threads about pressure and loads has made me question the suitability of my main hunting handload for use in vintage guns and Im in need of some considered advice.
I understand the adage about using low pressure to save the barrels and action and light shot payloads to save the wood.
I do not worry about occasionally shooting (50 rounds per year) 1 1/8oz. loads through guns proved for 1 1/8oz and I use loads under 1oz. for target shooting.
I am clear on the oft asked chamber pressure question and keep all of my pressures under 7500PSI.
Previously, I had not fully considered the effect of velocity/payload on the wear and tear on older guns and had really only concerned myself with the size of the shot payload. In light of recent posts and really just pausing for a second to consider the physics, I pose the following question:
How great is the effect of increased velocity on the wear and tear of a vintage gun?
By great I mean to ask if the effect is significant or negligible?
If we keep the shot payloads the same and pressures similar but increase the velocity, how much does the increase in velocity affect recoil/abuse to the gun? Im sure that someone can answer this mathematically!
Consider for a moment the two loads below:
HULL: Federal Gold Medal
PRIMER: Win. 209
WAD: Fed. 12S3
POWDER: Longshot (34.2 Gr.)
SHOT: 1 1/8 oz. 6.5 NP
PRESSURE: 7100 PSI
VELOCITY: 1420 FPS
VS.
HULL: Federal Gold Medal
PRIMER: Win. 209
WAD: CB 1118-12
POWDER: PB (23.5 Gr.)
SHOT: 1 1/8 oz. 6.5 NP
PRESSURE: 7000 PSI
VELOCITY: 1200 FPS
These are used in nitro proved, fluid steel barrels with 70mm chambers.
Thanks!
