A different question on loads

[EricB]

Once my Sterlingworth gets here and I can get it checked out, I plan to use light loads. The question of which shells to use has been rehashed plenty of times already. I want to preserve the gun so I’ll baby it. What I’m wondering, is whether anything changed in the manufacturing of guns when loadings were standardized. Were any changes made in the types of steel used or barrel thickness? Obviously I’m not talking about damascus barrels.

I passed on an early Ithaca once because there wasn’t an RST or Polywad at the time, so I feared the gun couldn’t safely be used. Call me over-cautious.

[vaturkey]

I think as long as the minimum barrel wall thickness is ok, any RST type 2.5" low pressure load is fine. The question is what is the minimum barrel wall thickness.

I have passed on guns (Foxes) that had the mythical number 4 weight barrels because the minimum barrel wall thickness was in the .020 range because I was always told that's just too thin. Guess its all depends on where that MBWT is located. Falling into the FWIW category, I sold a Parker CH years and years ago that had MBWT of .018 and .020 and that was located about about 8" from the barrel ends. The new owner was well aware of the MBWT and had no issues with it using appropriate light loads (RST's). It however troubled me when they were that thin. Also falling into the FWIW category, there are couple of Foxes currently coming up at auction that also have MBWT in the .020 range and I'm not bidding on those either. I once had Dan Rossiter measure as set an A grade 16 gauge with 4 weight barrels and they came in a .025 and about 10" from the end of the barrels and he said he would have no problem shooting that gun with RST ammo. That gun weight 5 lb 10 oz.

[3birddogs]

Interesting, wonder what the MWT would be on my 4 Wt pin gun. Ususally shoot 7/8 oz thru it anyway.

[eightbore]

You "estimate" barrel wall thickness by measuring it. Manson gauge, $100 plus. You want to play the game, buy the tools.

[Foxnut]

Interesting thread on MBWT as I had a discussion today at the OGCA on what is appropriate on 20 & 16 ga. guns. I have also utilized .022 - .025 as the MBWT.

[vaturkey]

Interesting thread on MBWT as I had a discussion today at the OGCA on what is appropriate on 20 & 16 ga. guns. I have also utilized .022 - .025 as the MBWT.

It would be interesting to know what the Fox factory felt was safe in 4 weight barrels in small bores back in the day. FWIW, I had a Parker CH 16 gauge with Damascus barrels that had .018 and .022 MBWT measured by a pro. They had not been honed, they left that factory that thin. The location for the thin spot was about 8" from the barrels ends in both tubes. Number 1 frame.

[eightbore]

Tom, your 16 was thin at a point where there was little pressure. Further back, there may have been a problem.

[fox-admin]

There are a ton of Parker small bores with .020 min walls. Many of the Fox 20's I have measured are .025. I would not turn down a .020 20ga Fox if there was a small spot 8 or 9 inches from the muzzle.