I'd like to publicly thank Fassteel for his efforts in bringing in Gamebore shells in 12, 16, and 20 gauge. I bought a flat of each of these for a variety of reasons (to fit 2 1/2" chambered shotguns, to shoot in older shotguns even if they'll accept 2 3/4, and for the felt wads that don't override the chokes in the barrels like shot cups can at times).
Last week I had occasion to use these loads in the field in 6 different shotguns spanning the 3 gauges. I'm impressed!!! I confess to not knowing the details with regard to pressures developed, but whether these are suitable for use in guns equiped with damascus barrels or not (I suspect they aren't), they are fantastic rounds for use in upland game hunting.
I didn't have time to pattern them before taking them out in the field but, if my wingshooting results are any indication, "SUPERIOR" is the word I would use to describe them. Birds were taken on the wing with all 6 of the guns I tried them in.
Shooters who spend tens of thousands on their vehicles, thousands more on guns and gear, hundreds if not thousands on travel and/or accommodations, and then buy the cheapest shells they can find, don't seem to realise what a minor portion of total hunting costs the shells represent.
Like with so many things out there - you get what you pay for. Gamebore shells, IMHO, are worth every penny.
For those who don't know what they are, Gamebore shells are imported from the UK. They're 2 1/2" in length and, by my understanding, they employ nitro powder. The powder used, I heard, is a coarse grain powder that, due to the coarse blaine, burns slower for a lower peak pressure. While these pressures may not be low enough for the oldest shotguns in one's collection, they are ideal for many of the classic guns I like to shoot. Best of all, you don't have the smoke, messy clean up, and corrosiveness issues of black powder.
The reduced recoil, smell, lower environmental impact of felt wads, and apparently superior patterning are welcome bonuses. Shot sizes are a limitation, but the UK-standard 6-shot is perfect for small game including Ruffed, Blue, and Spruce Grouse, Hungarian Partridge, Quail, Woodcock, bunnies, etc.
I wouldn't recommend them as substitutes for black powder only guns, but they're great for nitro proofed classics.
Thanks, again, Fassteel.
Last week I had occasion to use these loads in the field in 6 different shotguns spanning the 3 gauges. I'm impressed!!! I confess to not knowing the details with regard to pressures developed, but whether these are suitable for use in guns equiped with damascus barrels or not (I suspect they aren't), they are fantastic rounds for use in upland game hunting.
I didn't have time to pattern them before taking them out in the field but, if my wingshooting results are any indication, "SUPERIOR" is the word I would use to describe them. Birds were taken on the wing with all 6 of the guns I tried them in.
Shooters who spend tens of thousands on their vehicles, thousands more on guns and gear, hundreds if not thousands on travel and/or accommodations, and then buy the cheapest shells they can find, don't seem to realise what a minor portion of total hunting costs the shells represent.
Like with so many things out there - you get what you pay for. Gamebore shells, IMHO, are worth every penny.
For those who don't know what they are, Gamebore shells are imported from the UK. They're 2 1/2" in length and, by my understanding, they employ nitro powder. The powder used, I heard, is a coarse grain powder that, due to the coarse blaine, burns slower for a lower peak pressure. While these pressures may not be low enough for the oldest shotguns in one's collection, they are ideal for many of the classic guns I like to shoot. Best of all, you don't have the smoke, messy clean up, and corrosiveness issues of black powder.
The reduced recoil, smell, lower environmental impact of felt wads, and apparently superior patterning are welcome bonuses. Shot sizes are a limitation, but the UK-standard 6-shot is perfect for small game including Ruffed, Blue, and Spruce Grouse, Hungarian Partridge, Quail, Woodcock, bunnies, etc.
I wouldn't recommend them as substitutes for black powder only guns, but they're great for nitro proofed classics.
Thanks, again, Fassteel.
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