re-proof

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vega

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Hello gentlemen of the white smoke:

What say you on the appropriate proof load for an old timer ml shotgun expressed in terms of a multiplier of shot and powder over service load?

12 gauge.

2x? 3x? or ?.

Bear in mind my service load will be quite moderate as the old girl has been around the block more than a few times and shows some hard riding.

Thanks eh!
 
proof load

Service load for muzzleloading guns-Feb 1896. authorized by theGunmakers Company and Guardians of the Birmingham Proof House under authority of the Gun Barrel Proof Act-1868. 12/13 guage 89 grains or 3 1/4 drams - 1 1/4 oz shot. Proof loads in 1887 -350 grains or 12 3/4 drams. i would not try a proof load on the old girl and in fact for shooting i would lighten up to about 65 gr and 1 oz. which would still work fairly well. just my thoughts, regards
 
If you do decide to fire overloads, remotely fire the detached barrels. Fix them to a cradle. This precludes stock damage from heavy recoil. You can fire each barrel electrically. Use a length of two conductor wire, with a twist of steel wool across the business end. Put a small pile of powder over the nipple. Make a little dam to hold it in place if necessary. Tape the wire in place. Touch the other ends to the terminals of a 9v. battery. The steel wool will incandesce and ignite the priming powder.
If I want to test a barrel with overloads, I use a double charge of powder, with a single load of shot for the first shot, then a single load of powder with a double load of shot for the second. This duplicates accidental overloads.
I have only ever blown one breech on a set of Belgian barrels in really poor condition. Plug was blown out. On inspection, it turned out that someone had previously damaged - crossthreaded and stripped - the threads.
 
In the Dixie Gun Works catalog they say that the 1887 muzzleloading proof load for a 12 ga was 350 grs powder with a 535 gr bullet.

As wr.sainsbury says - that might take your old gun apart!

The Dixie Gun Works catalog has a wealth of information for black powder shooters.
 
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