Can i safely fire Remington Long Range Express 2 3/4, 12 ga in a BRNO ZH 301?

[NorwegianInBaffinland]

Hi,


Can i safely fire Remington Long Range Express 2 3/4, 12 ga. shells in a BRNO ZH 301?

And what should I watch out for using this type of older shotgun? Only used Federal shells in them so far, but ran out. Love the O/U, double triggers and safety, and shoot well with it

Any info appreciated!

 

[Blastattack]

Nitro proofed guns (which is just about every cartridge gun made in the last 100+ years) can fire any cartridge they are marked for. If the gun is marked 2-3/4 it should be able to handle any factory 2-3/4 load.

 

[rokoro]

Make that read any 2 3/4 inch factory ammo but Not steel.

 

[9.3mauser]

Nitro proofed guns (which is just about every cartridge gun made in the last 100+ years) can fire any cartridge they are marked for. If the gun is marked 2-3/4 it should be able to handle any factory 2-3/4 load.

It's a little more complicated than that...

American shotshells are loaded to relatively high pressure, and I won't shoot them through my English doubles. Even so called "light target loads" are loaded to 10,000+ psi to function in autoloaders. The light English game guns weren't built to withstand that, and continued usage will eventually have them coming off the face. Plus you get into problems like firing pins sticking into the primers, making the gun difficult to open.

Your Brno may be more robust than the light game guns I like, so it may be able to take the abuse. I see by your location that you're in a pretty remote spot, so if that's all that's available, then it's any port in a storm.

 

[Blastattack]

Make that read any 2 3/4 inch factory ammo but Not steel.

Yes, true enough. However that is more a function of barrel thickness and choke constriction. With an open choke you should be able to shoot any load you want to without any risk.

It's a little more complicated than that...

American shotshells are loaded to relatively high pressure, and I won't shoot them through my English doubles. Even so called "light target loads" are loaded to 10,000+ psi to function in autoloaders. The light English game guns weren't built to withstand that, and continued usage will eventually have them coming off the face. Plus you get into problems like firing pins sticking into the primers, making the gun difficult to open.

Your Brno may be more robust than the light game guns I like, so it may be able to take the abuse. I see by your location that you're in a pretty remote spot, so if that's all that's available, then it's any port in a storm.

How old are your English doubles? More importantly, were they designed to work with modern plastic hulled ammunition? If the guns are old and the second answer is no then you are 100% correct to not try and use them in your guns. However, if the guns were made "recently" and are designed for modern rounds, then any modern round will work fine.

 

[9.3mauser]

Nitro proofed guns (which is just about every cartridge gun made in the last 100+ years) can fire any cartridge they are marked for...

One is 1906, the other 1937. Even if they were post-war, they were designed to be used with English shells which are typically loaded to much lower pressures than American. Both of my guns would fit into your parameters of what would be safe, and truly, you could get away with it for a while, but there's no way I would give either of those guns a steady diet of American ammo.

 

[gunsaholic]

I have a number of vintage english guns. Some could be regarded as able to use modern ammo because they are nitro proofed. However, the smokeless loads back in the day, even into the 20's and 30's, produced pressures that are lower than many of todays loads. I use 2 1/2" low pressure loads in all my vintage guns, whether they have 2 1/2" or 2 3/4" chambers. Aside from metal fatique or going off face, there is also the vintage wood to worry about, ie: cracking from using heavy loads.
But as far as the OP's Brno goes, it will handle modern loads.

 

[rokoro]

Yes, true enough. However that is more a function of barrel thickness and choke constriction. With an open choke you should be able to shoot any load you want to without any risk.

Sorry, I can't agree with that. O/U and side x sides have thinner barrels than a single barreled shot will have. The doubles rely on one barrel supporting the other (for strength) when they are soldered together. This is to reduce weight. The steel in many of these older guns is not as strong as newer shotguns. If you want to shoot steel in a fine old double ,you go right ahead. I'm suggesting it will not be long til you have the barrels ruined shooting steel. Steel can be very unforgiving in those "soft" old barrels

 

[gunsaholic]

Yes, true enough. However that is more a function of barrel thickness and choke constriction. With an open choke you should be able to shoot any load you want to without any risk.

Sorry, I can't agree with that. O/U and side x sides have thinner barrels than a single barreled shot will have. The doubles rely on one barrel supporting the other (for strength) when they are soldered together. This is to reduce weight. The steel in many of these older guns is not as strong as newer shotguns. If you want to shoot steel in a fine old double ,you go right ahead. I'm suggesting it will not be long til you have the barrels ruined shooting steel. Steel can be very unforgiving in those "soft" old barrels

This is very true. I have a couple of modern (70's) low end double barrels that I have had opened up and shoot steel. They have thicker barrels than a fine old double. Plus I don't give a crap about these particular guns in regards to if steel damages them. However, I also have a number of vintage and older doubles that no way would I shoot steel through regardless of choke.