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< 16ga. Ammunition & Reloading ~ 16g field loads for older guns |
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Posted:
Tue Mar 28, 2006 10:01 am
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Joined: 11 Mar 2006
Posts: 18
Location: Central PA
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Hi, I'm new to this board,and I'm sure this is a repeat question,but a few opinions would be greatly appreciated.
I have a 1929 16ga Fox with 2 3/4 chambers.I'm not sure if they are the original length.
I like to use 1 oz loads for grouse and woodcock.I don't reload.
What do most knowing members use for this purpose.
Kent Gamebore game/hunting loads are rated at 8122 lbs/sq" is that low enough or can I do better ?
Thanks Dave |
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Posted:
Tue Mar 28, 2006 3:52 pm
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Member
Joined: 26 Apr 2005
Posts: 743
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Dave, those Kent Gamebores will work fine. Matter of fact, with a Sterlingworth, even if the chambers have been lengthened, so will any American-made 1 oz load. Those guns were built strong enough to take it. In fact, after Savage bought out Fox, any time a Fox came in for repairs or alterations, the Savage gunsmiths would automatically lengthen short chambers to 2 3/4". |
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Posted:
Tue Mar 28, 2006 4:52 pm
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Member
Joined: 20 Mar 2005
Posts: 1522
Location: NH
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Larry,
Was there a date when all the chambers were produced at 23/4's? Just wondering.
Thanks |
_________________ A bad day of hunting is better than a good day of work. |
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Posted:
Tue Mar 28, 2006 8:13 pm
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Joined: 11 Mar 2006
Posts: 18
Location: Central PA
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Larry, I know Fox guns are strong.This one has 28" barrels with 14.5" stock and still weighs in at 6 lbs. I think I should stay on the safe side with low pressure ammo.
Thanks Dave |
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Posted:
Wed Mar 29, 2006 1:12 pm
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Member
Joined: 26 Apr 2005
Posts: 743
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Terc, the main thing you need to worry about with a lightweight American gun is recoil, which is going to impact the stock. Pressure impacts the barrels and action, and those are the stronger parts of those old guns. And the way to reduce recoil (AND pressure) is to go to light, 7/8 oz reloads. You will notice a significant difference in comparison to American factory ammo.
I'm not certain when Savage went to the 2 3/4" chamber as standard for the 16. The problem with short chamber vs long in American guns is that not all the companies changed at the same time, and individual companies did not convert all gauges at the same time. For example, Hunter Arms (LC Smith) 16's were still chambered at the old, short 2 9/16" length until about 1940 or so. But their 12's and 20's had been converted to 2 3/4" some years before that.
Basically, with an old American double, if it isn't marked 2 3/4", then it probably isn't 2 3/4"--or didn't start life as a 2 3/4" gun, although the chambers may well have been lengthened by some gunsmith. |
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Posted:
Wed Mar 29, 2006 5:31 pm
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Member
Joined: 20 Mar 2005
Posts: 1522
Location: NH
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Larry,
Thanks for the info. |
_________________ A bad day of hunting is better than a good day of work. |
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