Advice Wanted-Loaded some 16 gauge brass shells with black powder

[Gun5tuff]

I was given an old Belgium hammer gun double 16gauge with 2.5 " chambers. I ordered some Magtech brass shells and loaded them with 80 grains black powder and 1 ounce of 7.5 size lead shot. All I could get in powder was 3Fg or 1Fg so I bought the 1Fgr as it's an old gun that I haven't fired before. I used CCI handgun primers. I shot off 28 of these shells. The fire that belched out of the barrel was impressive. (I'll fire the last 22 of them at new years eve.)

The gun worked 100% of the time. However, I was hoping that the brass shells would fire form to the chamber but the diameter didn't budge at all. The black gunk worked its way back to the lock mechanism so that after a dozen to 14 rounds were fired it was impossible to lock the action without first cleaning it.

I guess I need to find some 2Fg powder and repeat the process. This faster powder should fire form the shells to fit the chambers and prevent the gunk from getting into the locking mechanism. Am I on the right track here? This is my first experience with black powder.

 

[762nato]

From Lyman Black powder handbook:
16 ga 2 3/4" ( no 2 1/2" data)
1 oz shot
90 gr. Goex FFg
.125" card
1/2" fiber
.125" card
1200 fps
6200 psi

 

[Longwalker]

I think you are on the right track. You might also want to try a cleaner burning substitute powder like Pyrodex or triple seven.

 

[Gun5tuff]

It's an old gun. I'm not sure about the pressure curves put out by black powder substitutes so I want to tread it gently. The barrels do have nitro proof marks on them along with black powder marks.

The barrels are so easy to clean on a double as they can be removed in a couple of seconds. I want to use this on grouse as opposed to a 22LR just because I have it and want to use it.

I need to find some 2Fg black powder. I could not get any in Kelowna or Vernon. Who has any in the Okanagan?

 

[vagrantviking]

Feel free to try the 3F. The faster burn rate will give it just a little more thump and burn a bit cleaner. I'm fairly confident that it will give you a better seal too. Otherwise your load is very similar to what I have been using for years without getting any noticable blow-by.

What are you using for wads and over-shot card glue? I've started dipping my fibre wads in BP bullet lube and find that it makes the clean-up easier.

 

[vagrantviking]

Just found this as well. Might be of interest to a few people.

h**p://www.goexpowder.com/load-chart.html

 

[Gun5tuff]

Maybe i will have to use 3F as shown on the GOEX site above. Thanks for that link. I only had some loading information from Lyman that used 2F.

With regard to the wads and over-shot cards I ordered the ones recommended by Magtec when I ordered their 2.5 inch brass shells. I tried putting some lubricant recommended for lessening black powder fouling onto the spacer wads. Consequently the white glue that I used on the over-shot card did not adhere to the brass. They let go and now i'm rolling on 3 ounces of number 7.5 shot in my shop. OK, no more lube on the spacer wads.

 

[vagrantviking]

Ya I found the same problem using lube. Makes for an extra step cleaning the inside of the lip so that the glue will stick. Never had good luck with white glue though and tracked down some waterglass (sodium silicate) at a pottery place. Even that isn't perfect though so I tend to keep the shells pointed up and baby them as much as possible in transport.

Well worth the trouble for the fun of traditional shooting though!

 

[broncoo]

It's an old gun. I'm not sure about the pressure curves put out by black powder substitutes so I want to tread it gently. The barrels do have nitro proof marks on them along with black powder marks.

The barrels are so easy to clean on a double as they can be removed in a couple of seconds. I want to use this on grouse as opposed to a 22LR just because I have it and want to use it.

I need to find some 2Fg black powder. I could not get any in Kelowna or Vernon. Who has any in the Okanagan?

did you try a&C sports or grouse river?
both have a decent supply or reloading gear

 

[Gun5tuff]

did you try a&C sports or grouse river?
both have a decent supply or reloading gear

Yes, but no black powder. Got the Fg at Del Saline's shop. He also had 3Fg but was out of 2Fg.

I finally used shoe goo to hold in the over shot cards. This stuff holds. No babying of the shells is required. A bit of extra work cleaning the cases to remove the residual goo but well worth the security provided.

I found a nice old hand made cartridge belt that was made for 16 gauge shells at A&C Sports. It holds 21 shells. It came from an estate. What a nice find.