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If you came across a Twist barrel smoothbore in reasonable good condition would you shoot it? Who out there shoots them currently?
Why or why not ?
Why or why not ?
I have one I shoot. It's a percussion double 13 gauge marked London Fine Twist. It's a mid-19th century British import in good condition, field grade, nothing fancy or particularly valuable.
I keep loads fairly low, 50-60 grains 2F, equal volume shot, and have collected a few rabbits with it. I've always been impressed that the old originals handle very well, better than most replicas I've shot.
Spence
Hi,
I have an English W. Bond percussion double 12 ga. with fine twist barrels, it is a delight to shoot.
I does fine at the trap range and is without mercy on grouse.
If you can find a good Damascus shot gun, get it checked out and have some fun.
Remember it is not a 12 ga. magnum, keep you loads to one ounce and velocity to 1000-1100 fps. with black powder and your gun will last many years to come.
Question: How do I know my loads are doing 1000 fps., EASY load your gun with enough powder to pierce both sides of a soup can at 25 yds. About 80 grains of 2F should work.
Not very technical but it works.
Fred
The cape gun in my avatar has cut rifling in it and it is Damascus?You can't cut rifling in to damascus iron because it would slice across the grain, one solution is a tape wound core
Exactly, the old human trait of blaming something else for their own error!I think the idea that Damascus barrels were dangerous came about at the turn of the 20th century when smokeless powder became available to the average guy.
From what I've heard over the years, a LOT of Damascus shotguns that were made back in the black powder days blew up when people poured smokeless down their guns barrel.
Then, like now, shooting smokeless powder in guns made for using black powder was a poor idea but people back then didn't really know just how dangerous it can be.
Most of the old smokeless powders such has Smokeless Diamond , Schultze and other did have printed on the container {Not for Muzzle Loaders] . Damascus barrels on early breech loaders were also for black powder but with the introduction of smokeless most were reproofed at the proof house for nitro . This was a advantage for guns of that period here in the UK because of the lack of a proof house in the States.I think the idea that Damascus barrels were dangerous came about at the turn of the 20th century when smokeless powder became available to the average guy.
From what I've heard over the years, a LOT of Damascus shotguns that were made back in the black powder days blew up when people poured smokeless down their guns barrel.
Then, like now, shooting smokeless powder in guns made for using black powder was a poor idea but people back then didn't really know just how dangerous it can be.
Feltwad has it spot on. Damascus barrels took re proofing for nitro readily.Most of the old smokeless powders such has Smokeless Diamond , Schultze and other did have printed on the container {Not for Muzzle Loaders] . Damascus barrels on early breech loaders were also for black powder but with the introduction of smokeless most were reproofed at the proof house for nitro . This was a advantage for guns of that period here in the UK because of the lack of a proof house in the States.
Feltwad
Damascus are more dangerous with more bursts due to a obstruction than black powder. The worst offender is snow, and soil in the muzzle this is followed with a close second to using thin card wads which often are bypassed by the ramrod and left on the barrel wall which when fired becomes a obstruction. To explain my meaning enclosed is a image of a burst Damascus barrel caused by using too thin card wads .I think the idea that Damascus barrels were dangerous came about at the turn of the 20th century when smokeless powder became available to the average guy.
From what I've heard over the years, a LOT of Damascus shotguns that were made back in the black powder days blew up when people poured smokeless down their guns barrel.
Then, like now, shooting smokeless powder in guns made for using black powder was a poor idea but people back then didn't really know just how dangerous it can be.
Good it burst the way it did!Damascus are more dangerous with more bursts due to a obstruction than black powder. The worst offender is snow, and soil in the muzzle this is followed with a close second to using thin card wads which often are bypassed by the ramrod and left on the barrel wall which when fired becomes a obstruction. To explain my meaning enclosed is a image of a burst Damascus barrel caused by using too thin card wads .
Feltwad
Burst Barrel
Here in the UK most boxes of 2.3/4 inch cartridges had a warning {Not to be used in 2.1/2 inch chambers} also Damascus barrels with some choke were Stamped {Not For Ball}.I well recall in the late 60s/ early 70s almost every box of shot shells had a warning to the effect.."don't shoot these in Damascus barrels or it could explode".
I knew many who had a breach loading twist barrel who stopped shooting them because ammo wasn't available. And many old breach guns were 2 1/2" and a 2 3/4" would be dangerous.
A good friend still loads 2 1/2" black powder shells and enjoys shooting trap. But a few nitro magnum 2 3/4" shells would ruin it.
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