doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Older Belgian 12-bore with 30" bbls & 3" chambers

Jaegermeister

If it can digest SAAMI 2 3/4 inch loads it surely can digest SAAMI 3 inch loads given that maximum pressures for both are the same at 11500 psi and that this gun has 3 inch chambers!

What says the board?

All the best

Skeeterbd

I wouldn't shoot anything close to that kinda psi in an older gun...yikes
8000 with 1oz is tops for me.
Billwolfe..on the bbl flats there should be a letter like e or f or any of the alphabet,that is the date code, someone here can tell you when born from that...there is no * above this mark.The one with the * is for who inspected it at proof..picture is better
If you already knew that, sorry.
Looks grand..what you get it for if you don't mind me asking.
Everything nice tight n shipshapish??
cheers
franc

I wouldn't shoot anything close to that kinda psi in an older gun...yikes
8000 with 1oz is tops for me.
Billwolfe..on the bbl flats there should be a letter like e or f or any of the alphabet,that is the date code, someone here can tell you when born from that...there is no * above this mark.The one with the * is for who inspected it at proof..picture is better
If you already knew that, sorry.
Looks grand..what you get it for if you don't mind me asking.
Everything nice tight n shipshapish??
cheers
franc

I haven't actually received the gun yet, and though I made the call last Thursday, it hadn't shipped as of this morning, with no firm estimate about when it would ship. I guess the guns are flying off the shelves in Owatonna and the shipping staff can't keep up. The say it's all tight and solid. The add's still up, so you can check it out. Price was $700.
http://www.gunsinternational.com/Belgian...un_id=100396731

I did learn about the Belgian date-proof marks, so that will be one of the first things to check out when it arrives. I'll probably lean towards the light side on loads, though I'd consider trying 1 1/8 oz or even 1 1/4 if I can find reasonably low pressure options. Thanks to all for the information!
Bill

Bill,

Take pictures of the proof marks and post them here. That will help a lot.

Pete

Billw ,If she is tight n right, & I pray it is, then I think you good a great deal.
Are you going to get the bbl wall thickness measured by some one able to do so?
I would if it were me.
Seems like there are some nice cheapish guns still around
cheers
franc

Will certainly post pics of proofs when I get it. I'll take it over to Frank Elliot in Humboldt, TN, a couple hours west of Music City, and ask him to check it out as well. Charge still hasn't hit my cc, so no telling when the thing will actually ship.

Yes, the lesser known old European makers, especially French, Belgian, and maybe German seem like good candidates in the sub-$1000 price range, especially if you're not bothered by the odd cosmetic blemish or the need to stay on the light side with loads.
Cheers,
Bill

I have a 1925 12ga SLE marked 1275 for 3in shells.

I concur with the earlier posts that while it will chamber 3in shells that older guns modern 3in pressure do not go together well and that while it might handle it you should not.

Bill, if you're going to shoot 1 1/4 oz, suggest you check out RST's offerings. They have 6's and 5's at 1200 fps, which is a much more reasonable velocity than most of the pheasant loads out there. Not sure on pressure, but they'll tell you if you ask.

Thanks! I'll start off easy (7/8 - 1 oz) and see how it goes. Still waiting to see the old thing. Cabela's emailed me it had shipped but provided no tracking. Will certainly post when it arrives.

Anyone know of cheap 2/3 oz loads in 20 or 16 gauge? Been shooting my little Darne 20 and the Manufrance 16 (which weighs in at 6 lbs rather than 5.75 when disassembled and placed on my kitchen scale). Recoil on both is very manageable with RST 7/8-ounce loads. Even so, I need a lot of practice and am looking for alternatives.
Bill