Over the years I have switched to vintage SXS shotgun for hunting and some sporting clays.I plan on shooting some black powder loads when I find a forarm for a Damascus 12 ga Charles Daly made in the 1860's. I plan to duck hunt with it. I have been blessed with a nice collection of shotguns over the 45 years I have been shooting. I now only hunt with vintage shotguns SXS some sub gauge and some hammer guns. I have to add that most of these guns were at bargain basement prices as I was looking for shooters in good working order not collector guns. Here is my latest find a 1948 Belleri 20 ga I do shoot modern ammo in these guns as they have steel barrels and I reload so I can customize the shells to shoot light loads to reduce stress on the wood as some guns are over 100 years old. I shoot a fair amount of sporting clays because they built a wonderful clays club 15 minutes from my front door. I use my o/u guns most of the time but always take a SXS also to get some practice with sxs also. Best of both worlds last time I hunted I used a Fox sterling worth for doves.
OLD ONE EYE
Hunting with vintage shotguns the good old days
Over the years I have switched to vintage SXS shotgun for hunting and some sporting clays.I plan on shooting some black powder loads when I find a forarm for a Damascus 12 ga Charles Daly made in the 1860's. I plan to duck hunt with it. I have been blessed with a nice collection of shotguns over the 45 years I have been shooting. I now only hunt with vintage shotguns SXS some sub gauge and some hammer guns. I have to add that most of these guns were at bargain basement prices as I was looking for shooters in good working order not collector guns. Here is my latest find a 1948 Belleri 20 ga I do shoot modern ammo in these guns as they have steel barrels and I reload so I can customize the shells to shoot light loads to reduce stress on the wood as some guns are over 100 years old. I shoot a fair amount of sporting clays because they built a wonderful clays club 15 minutes from my front door. I use my o/u guns most of the time but always take a SXS also to get some practice with sxs also. Best of both worlds last time I hunted I used a Fox sterling worth for doves.
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I use a Remington model 32 skeet for rabbits a couple times a year. It was out of production before my Dad was born.
I also use Browning Double Autos for upland and deer. They were out of production before I was born.
Doug
I also use Browning Double Autos for upland and deer. They were out of production before I was born.
Doug
I’m a certified vintage double gun nut ! I Shoot SC with a 1918 LC Smith and a 1944 JP Sauer 16 gauge which is also my main grouse gun. I just picked up a gorgeous 1891 Lefever F grade. The barrels were cut to 26” so it’s cyl/cyl which will be an awesome grouse gun. It weighs 6lbs 9 oz’s.
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I'm new to shotgun activities, getting kinda/sorta OK at skeet, passable at trap 16 yard line, can't hit anything on the 5 stand field, etc.
Nowhere near good enough to hunt(yet) I would likely hit them with a single pellet to die a slow death.
Anyway, enough with the modesty stuff.
I'm developing a bit of a fascination for side by sides and the "look" of double trigger hammer guns.
Question is; How can you be SURE that a 100 or so year old barrel (& chamber) will be able to take modern ammunition ?
I'm not asking about the heavy hunting loads, just the low speed 1 oz target loads.
I know scuba tanks are hydro tested, is there a similar non destructive test for chambers & barrels ? {Other than eyeballing it}
I specify non destructive because ...well, blowing it up disqualifies it as even a wall hanger.
Nowhere near good enough to hunt(yet) I would likely hit them with a single pellet to die a slow death.
Anyway, enough with the modesty stuff.
I'm developing a bit of a fascination for side by sides and the "look" of double trigger hammer guns.
Question is; How can you be SURE that a 100 or so year old barrel (& chamber) will be able to take modern ammunition ?
I'm not asking about the heavy hunting loads, just the low speed 1 oz target loads.
I know scuba tanks are hydro tested, is there a similar non destructive test for chambers & barrels ? {Other than eyeballing it}
I specify non destructive because ...well, blowing it up disqualifies it as even a wall hanger.
Well if you’re new to vintage guns definately have them checked out by a gunsmith, and not one that just sets up newer AR type guns. You want a guy that knows doubles, especially with f it’s a Damascus gun. If you want a Damascus gun checked out get in touch with Kurt Merrington in TX. He’s an expert on them as well as any vintage double gun. These old guns really get under your skin. I just can’t get enough of it.
Another California suck . Libs here have banned lead & mandated steel shot for hunting. Sadly retiring my favorite vintage guns from field use as I understand steel will tear up the older barrels.
Most always had an early mod 37 ethica and in 1970 used a black powder dbl 12 gauge damasks to hunt quail and pheasant in kansas. Never felt out gunned. Even though it was a front stuffer i enjoyed the challenge of the hunt with it.
Make sure you check the chamber length on vintage shotguns. It's not just the barrel type that can cause problems. Midway has brass shotgun hulls that will work in 2 1/2" chambers. Circle fly wads has wads for loading black powder or synthetic black powder.
I grew up shooting pumps and semi autos, but nothing beats bird hunting with a classic sxs. I recently picked up a W.J. Jeffery sidelever that I can't wait to take to the field. Only problem is it has full chokes! She's a beauty though.
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If there’s no collector value then just open the chokes. Make it shootable for what you want to do with it. I’m not a fan of spreader loads. Good luck with it, she’s a real beauty.
This is one of my favorite vintage guns. It’s an 1891 Lefever F grade 12 gauge. It’s one of my grouse guns weighing 6lbs 9 oz. At some point the barrels were cut to 26” but it actually shoots a nice pattern at 30 yards. She’s a grouse killer for sure, and looks great doing it.
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Possibly the only one by WRAC
Cody Firearms Museum at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West
After-market custom
*20 GAUGE WINCHESTER MODEL 21 WITH DOUBLE RIFLE BARRELS, SCOPE, AND AMMUNITION.
NRA Museums:
A few by CSMC
RARE WINCHESTER MODEL 21 "GRAND AMERICAN" DOUBLE RIFLE IN 405 WINCHESTER WITH CASE AND FACTORY LETTER. - James D. Julia, Auctioneers
Cody Firearms Museum at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West
After-market custom
*20 GAUGE WINCHESTER MODEL 21 WITH DOUBLE RIFLE BARRELS, SCOPE, AND AMMUNITION.
NRA Museums:
A few by CSMC
RARE WINCHESTER MODEL 21 "GRAND AMERICAN" DOUBLE RIFLE IN 405 WINCHESTER WITH CASE AND FACTORY LETTER. - James D. Julia, Auctioneers
What I’m referring to is a set of barrels I have. They are 12 ga barrels appear completely factory original. All markings are correct 37xx serial number. The barrels are 12 ga and factory marked as cyl cyl.
One of the Best days of my life.
The Best Dog / buddy ever.
My Best (go too) Bird Gun. A.H Fox A grade 16 ga.
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The Best Dog / buddy ever.
My Best (go too) Bird Gun. A.H Fox A grade 16 ga.
Top is a Henry Arms Co. (no relation to Henry rifles) 12 gauge damascus from early 1900's, 32 inch full and modified.
It's still tight - I took it to Track of the Wolf (they deal in authentic and repro muzzleloaders) to check it out.
We all agreed that I should stick to blackpowder ammunition.
Bottom is a refurbished 12 gauge 1901 Parker VH Grade 1, 30 inch full choke barrels with black walnut stock.
I'm working on developing low-pressure smokeless powder loads.
![Image]()
It's still tight - I took it to Track of the Wolf (they deal in authentic and repro muzzleloaders) to check it out.
We all agreed that I should stick to blackpowder ammunition.
Bottom is a refurbished 12 gauge 1901 Parker VH Grade 1, 30 inch full choke barrels with black walnut stock.
I'm working on developing low-pressure smokeless powder loads.
Jaburg1 - Good pictures, beautiful dogs.
Swampy16 - Those clear overshot cards sure make it easy to note which shot size your shooting.
Swampy16 - Those clear overshot cards sure make it easy to note which shot size your shooting.
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