I have an old double with replacement Charles Hellis steel barrels. The barrels have been honed and the BWT on one of the barrels is .023 at 8” from the muzzle. At 15” from the muzzle the BWT goes up to over .025, and in front of the forend where I grip the barrels with my left hand the BWT is over .030. RST makes a 1 1/16th oz. hunting load with #5 and #6 shot. RST says it generates 6200 to 6500 PSI. Would you have any hestitation shooting these 1 1/16th oz. RST hunting loads in the described barrels? 6500 PSI still seems light in comparison with many target loads.

They look like nice loads. I'm thinking about getting some for my light prewar Merkel.

Rich, I don't think anyone here would presume to answer the question you pose about your particular gun. Presence of pitting in conjunction with MBT might mitigate against use at all. On the other hand, there's little pressure left out at the end of the muzzles and I shoot one with less MBT out there than you have.

You know you have a risk. The decision can be no one's but yours...Geo

Would I shoot barrels with those walls and that ammo? If they were not pitted and were deemed safe by complete inspection those pressure level should be fine. Having us figure out what is safe for you on the internet can not answer your questions. You need to figure out if the barrels are solid and shoot-able.

Thanks for the good responses.

Is the gun inproof? Lots of Brit guns have thin barrels... some in proof at <.020" Replacement barrels would be newer (probably)m and the proof marks should tell you whether the barrels are safe for std. Brit cartridge pressures.

B&P ALSO MAKES A 2 3/4 X 1 OZ LOAD WITH ABOUT 6600 PSI, IT IS CALLED THEIR COMPETITION 2000 LOAD I BELIEVE AND I USE THEM IN ALL MY DAMASCUS

C guy: did you get a chance to confirm with Pete Mazur if he is using an ultrasound wall thickness gauge, and HIS MWT recommendations?

Thanks for the comments. Drew Hause has put me onto a fine relevant quote from Mark Twain:

“It is better to be careful 100 times than to get killed once.”

I am going to take the gun to a good gunsmith tomorrow to go over the issues and give me some guidance.

Rich that is an excellent choice. The only thing better, if you are married, is to just say yes dear. I'd have him measure the wall thickness after a visual inspection for pits and being on face. A look at proof marks should tell you what pressure it was proofed for. Check the chamber length to make sure they have not been reamed out. A good gunsmith will save you a lot of money in buying mistakes and might prevent you from shooting an unsafe gun. Fingers are one of my better features so I try real hard to keep them.

Ky Jon, Good points. I will check them with the gunsmith tomorrow.

Rich,

Go on Ebay. You can now pick up a borescope for under $20.00 Attached to your cell phone and you can record a movie of the barrel interior.

Pete