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Advice on shooting an old shotgun
5/13/2012 11:08:24 PM
Need some advice, I was recently given this shotgun that I know nothing about. From what I understand old shotguns(this gun 1915) shot relatively low strength shells, so can I shoot new regular strength 8 shot out of this for dove hunting and trapshooting or can I only shoot low strength shells. If I can shoot new shells is there anything I should stay away from 00 buck, or 3 dram? Also I reload so if I have to make low strength it wouldn’t be a big deal, but I would prefer to use shells I shoot out of my 870 and not dick with it. There is also a patch of rust in one barrel you can see in the pictures(the rest looks great), does anyone think I should be worried about it or just shoot away? Thanks much
Rust spot
Rust spot
5/14/2012 12:38:01 AM
I can't tell from the pics, are the barrels twist/pattern welded or are they solid/fluid steel? If solid, I would stick with standard loads (hell I shoot max dram slug and buck loads out of my 5 year older, 1910 Remington autoloader 
), if they are twist I would shell out the money and have the barrels reproofed ($$$) if I felt I just HAVE to shoot it, sure 99 time out of a hundred a twist steel gun is still safe to shoot without having it reproofed but why risk your face and potentially your life to save a few bucks?
), if they are twist I would shell out the money and have the barrels reproofed ($$$) if I felt I just HAVE to shoot it, sure 99 time out of a hundred a twist steel gun is still safe to shoot without having it reproofed but why risk your face and potentially your life to save a few bucks?5/14/2012 12:43:03 AM
That stock is going to come apart at the wrist with any amount of shooting. It's just an old store branded Stevens. I would relegate that to 'wallhanger' status.
Even 3 dram loads can produce 10,000 PSI. That gun isn't worth having checked out by a gunsmith or paying to put a pad on that busted up stock. Retire it.
eta - That gun is not Damascus.
Even 3 dram loads can produce 10,000 PSI. That gun isn't worth having checked out by a gunsmith or paying to put a pad on that busted up stock. Retire it.
eta - That gun is not Damascus.
5/14/2012 5:23:56 PM
Originally Posted By SevenMaryThree:
That stock is going to come apart at the wrist with any amount of shooting. It's just an old store branded Stevens. I would relegate that to 'wallhanger' status.
Even 3 dram loads can produce 10,000 PSI. That gun isn't worth having checked out by a gunsmith or paying to put a pad on that busted up stock. Retire it.
eta - That gun is not Damascus.
That stock is going to come apart at the wrist with any amount of shooting. It's just an old store branded Stevens. I would relegate that to 'wallhanger' status.
Even 3 dram loads can produce 10,000 PSI. That gun isn't worth having checked out by a gunsmith or paying to put a pad on that busted up stock. Retire it.
eta - That gun is not Damascus.
I've got an OLD H&R 20 gauge single shot with a few cracks going down the wrist. It still holds up to shooting just fine. If I was the OP I'd shoot that shotgun, preferably with some light trap loads though.
5/15/2012 3:54:45 AM
If you decide to do it, before you shoot it, check the chamber length. At that age it could be shorter than 2 3/4". If a 2 3/4" fits in the chamber it does not mean that it can shoot 2 3/4" ammo. It very well could be a 2 1/2" chamber.
Poly Wad and RST ( and several other companies) sell 2 1/2" low pressure ammo for old doubles that are safe to shoot (assuming the gun is checked out first).
eta I have no idea if Stevens/Riverside ever chambered any shotguns in 2 1/2" but it can't hurt to check. Other manufacturers of that era did.
5/16/2012 9:06:07 PM
I wouldn't shoot it, why would you want to, just keep it and hang it on the wall.
5/16/2012 9:33:10 PM
There's nothing wrong with shooting an old shotgun as long as it's checked out first. I'm wary of Damascus steel barrels but this one doesn't appear to have them so if you're still interested, have it checked out and to be safe shoot low pressure ammo. Yes, you can make your own low pressure stuff, there are recipes and how to videos available online.
I know lots of people shoot old doubles (including Damascus barreled ones) with modern ammo, but I'm dreading the day someone's barrel lets loose and I have to hold pressure on their injuries until the ambulance arrives.
