Doug,
If many short chambered (Flues) frames cracked when trying to digest 2 3/4 inch paper shells, (many cracked before the advent of plastic hulls, so we know) doesn't it stand to reason that barrel bursts could occur under those same conditions? Please explain how nitro proofed barrels, by Ithaca, are more dangerous than Remington twist or damascus barrels that are also nitro proofed...not all composite barrels are nitro proofed, but I think Kurt is inferring that his barrels are marked "for smokeless powder" ...
Isn't his biggests concern the 2 9/16ths short chamber? And the possibility of putting a 2 3/4 inch shell into it?
...used with light loads, careful observance to the chamber lengths, and never paper shells, make these 20ga Flues still shootable to some degree...I think this concept applies to all 20 & 16 ga Ithaca Flues models, as most if not all 20ga & 16ga were short chambered...fluid or otherwise...
I'm not saying that I'm right and you're wrong, only that this was the thinking that was conveyed to me 30 years ago when I bought my first Ithaca Flues (16ga). Has this thinking been overturned?
These barrels have no markings on them stating that they are for smokeless powder. Actually,there are no markings on these barrels anywhere exept the serial number on the barrel flat a V on the lug. I was just wondering if all the fluid steel barrels were marked as such.
I have not shot the polywad vintagers but have shot the low pressure 12ga federal vintage shell and they are dirty. The low pressure 12 gauge reloads with 700-X seem to be cleaner burning.
KjD
