Safe loads for an older shotgun? Advice needed.

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Silverplate

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Hello all,

I recently got an older SxS 12 ga. shotgun from TradeEx. Not something I am really into, but it caught my eye.

It is a Belgium made double, marketed under the Geco name. The gun seems to be in good shape and is chambered for 2.75 inch shells. The stock wrist is quite thin but the wood is solid.

It has a cursive "g" for a date code but the inspector mark "*X" puts it in the late thirties to the early sixties (quite a range).

I don't know if the modern skeet loads are in the pressure range for this one, so I am looking for a safe, modern, non-steel, shot load. Plan to use it for upland game birds and maybe some occasional clay pigeons.

Any recommendations?

Silverplate.
 
You would be fine for regular target and hunting loads. If you have concerns regarding damaging the stock, look for a 1 oz and 2-1/2 dram equivalent load.
 
Yes, it will be fine for modern target or hunting loads. As mentioned, look for lighter loads for upland if wood damage is a concern. On many of my vintage guns I shoot 2 1/2" Kent Pure Gold in them even if the gun is chambered for 2 3/4".
 
My personal recommendation would be if you have concerns regarding the performance or ability of your shotgun take it to your local gunsmith for a once over. He will be able to inspect it to ensure it is fit for use and give you some insight as to what you should expect from your new gun.
ymmv
 
john.b said:
My personal recommendation would be if you have concerns regarding the performance or ability of your shotgun take it to your local gunsmith for a once over. He will be able to inspect it to ensure it is fit for use and give you some insight as to what you should expect from your new gun.
ymmv
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X2^^^^ get it checked out, it's money well spent.
He will also check the remaining barrel wall thickness, which is critical in older guns.
 
Roalco said:
X2^^^^ get it checked out, it's money well spent.
He will also check the remaining barrel wall thickness, which is critical in older guns.
Click to expand...

He will only be able to check barrel wall thickness accurately with a proper wall thickness gauge. If the gun is taken to a gunsmith who doesn't get that involved with working on double barrels, chances are very good that he will not have the equipment for measuring wall thickness.
 
gunsaholic said:
He will only be able to check barrel wall thickness accurately with a proper wall thickness gauge. If the gun is taken to a gunsmith who doesn't get that involved with working on double barrels, chances are very good that he will not have the equipment for measuring wall thickness.
Click to expand...

Nor would such a gunsmith know more about older doubles than gunsaholic or struff55.

But, I'm curious to know by what method you determined that the gun is chambered in 2 3/4?
 
Roalco said:
X2^^^^ get it checked out, it's money well spent.
He will also check the remaining barrel wall thickness, which is critical in older guns.
Click to expand...

The OP said it was made from the late 1930's to the early 1960's, that is not an "old" gun. The materials used then were as good as today and workmanship was better. Unless there are corrosion issues barrel thickness will be pretty much the same as when it left the factory.
 
I didn't say it was an OLD gun, I did agree with the OP that it was an older gun. And at between 55 and 85 years old, it is definitely an older gun. SXS's often have lighter barrels than other types of North American heavy guns, and with it being a lower end European, of unknown history, and even if it has only had 4 boxes per year through it that equals 5500 to 8500 rounds. As well, who knows who has been at it lapping out pits, changing chamber lengths and boring out chokes. Wall thinning is always a definite possibility, and the new owner should know what condition his gun is in, so he can make an educated decision on how he will shoot it.
I'm surprised that shooter safety seems to have such a low priority with some here. A basic wall thickness gauge is cheap, only a hundred or two dollars, and most real gunsmiths will have even better gauges to ascertain a side by sides barrel condition. My advice to the OP, is to get the gun checked out by a competent, professional gunsmith, and see what he recommends.
 
Silverplate said:
Hello all,

I recently got an older SxS 12 ga. shotgun from TradeEx. Not something I am really into, but it caught my eye.

It is a Belgium made double, marketed under the Geco name. The gun seems to be in good shape and is chambered for 2.75 inch shells. The stock wrist is quite thin but the wood is solid.

It has a cursive "g" for a date code but the inspector mark "*X" puts it in the late thirties to the early sixties (quite a range).

I don't know if the modern skeet loads are in the pressure range for this one, so I am looking for a safe, modern, non-steel, shot load. Plan to use it for upland game birds and maybe some occasional clay pigeons.

Any recommendations?

Silverplate.
Click to expand...

If you dont mind me asking, what did you end up paying for it?

I have also seen the stacks of old doubles that TradeEx has, but as this would be my first shotgun I am a little weary of buying one.

Anybody have any experience with these guns from TradeEx? Anyone know if these have been test-fired or checked out by someone on their end of things? Obviously someone has looked at the visible damage as all the adds have details about each gun, but has anyone really checked them out for safety?
 
The fellows at tradeex are pretty good at giving an honest description of the firearms. I doubt they will have test fired every firearm they have for sale as they have a very large inventory. That being said, you get what you pay for. If you are buying a $200.00 to $250.00 double barrel, don't be expecting a top condition gun. Base your descision on the description they provide. If it says pitting in the bores, bluing loss and a crack in the stock, you pretty much know what you are buying. If a gun is off face and has severe pitting, they would say so, in fact, I doubt they would sell it unless specified for parts only. About 2 1/2 years ago I bought a Brno SxS from them. It was at that time $395.00 which was one of the higher priced Brnos. The gun is in teriffic condition with barely a mark in the wood. It certainly wasn't used very much.
 
gunsaholic said:
The fellows at tradeex are pretty good at giving an honest description of the firearms. I doubt they will have test fired every firearm they have for sale as they have a very large inventory. That being said, you get what you pay for. If you are buying a $200.00 to $250.00 double barrel, don't be expecting a top condition gun. Base your descision on the description they provide. If it says pitting in the bores, bluing loss and a crack in the stock, you pretty much know what you are buying. If a gun is off face and has severe pitting, they would say so, in fact, I doubt they would sell it unless specified for parts only. About 2 1/2 years ago I bought a Brno SxS from them. It was at that time $395.00 which was one of the higher priced Brnos. The gun is in teriffic condition with barely a mark in the wood. It certainly wasn't used very much.
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Some of the guns are in the 200-250 range with some very reasonable descriptions. For instance:

http://www.tradeexcanada.com/content/geco-sxs-12ga-3--

http://www.tradeexcanada.com/content/italian-royal-special-sxs-12ga

http://www.tradeexcanada.com/content/italian-boehler-royal-special-sxs-12ga

This is the sort of price range I would be looking at, because its about what a new cheap pump is worth. (sub-$300, I wouldn't have to pay shipping on a cheap pump.) Even if I was looking for this as a 2nd shotgun for some variety (which is looking as the more likely option at this point because Im probably too impatient to wait on shipping once I do have money lol), I probably wouldn't be looking to spend $400 on one before taxes/shipping. I know $400 isn't a lot of money, but Im a student so its buy something cheap or dont buy anything at all.

Also, does anyone know a good resource for finding out info on the various makes and models of the shotguns? Or is this best to just google and hope for some results?
 
If you had a particular gun in mind someone may be able to give you personal experience as many on here have bought from tradeex. Otherwise, yes, google will likely give you some degree of information on most models listed.
 
Silverplate said:
Hello all,

I recently got an older SxS 12 ga. shotgun from TradeEx. Not something I am really into, but it caught my eye.

It is a Belgium made double, marketed under the Geco name. The gun seems to be in good shape and is chambered for 2.75 inch shells. The stock wrist is quite thin but the wood is solid.

It has a cursive "g" for a date code but the inspector mark "*X" puts it in the late thirties to the early sixties (quite a range).

I don't know if the modern skeet loads are in the pressure range for this one, so I am looking for a safe, modern, non-steel, shot load. Plan to use it for upland game birds and maybe some occasional clay pigeons.

Any recommendations?

Silverplate.
Click to expand...

I ran hypersonic loads through an older 1187.. And each time besides a giant flame pouring out the barrel, the bolt would jam open. Just too much shot for that older gun. The same load cycled fine through a maxus.
Sure it could be other reasons why it jammed open.
But i thought I'd share this when I read your story.
I think it's safe to run modern tame loads through older guns.. But personally I'm cautious about running modern hot loads through older guns.
 
Well - The consensus is that the Hypersonic is causing a lot of damage these days. The point is moot as its not suitable for those old Tradex side by sides, period. I would feel quite comfortable using 2 3/4 in "promo" loads in this gun - which are what folks often use for skeet. These are typically 1 1/8 oz loads - if you look around you can find 1 oz loads, which represent the low end of the pressure spectrum.
Even at 250$, I don't feel these guns offer tremendous value or utility. They are generally very tightly choked, and were not particularly desirable guns in the first place.
 
cosmic said:
Well - The consensus is that the Hypersonic is causing a lot of damage these days.
Click to expand...
I wasn't aware there was a pattern and that I wasn't the only one ho felt this way about that shot.
I appreciate the tip.
When the ducks swooped in I'd get one shot out of the semi. The bolt open seizure. It was like someone fired a blast into the receiver, not out.
 
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