Newbie: 28 ga Vulcan barrels - safe loads?

[Michael Evernham]

Looking for info on new manufacture (i don't re-load) shells for a 28 ga with Vulcan steel barrels. Any suggestions? Will use almost exclusively on doves in shot size 7.5-9.

Just want to make sure whatever I choose will be safe and not overtly provide undue stress to a fine gun made in 1893. (re barreled by Parker in 1900).

[Bill Murphy]

Measure the chambers and get back to us. I thought that Del Grego had chambered my gun to 2 3/4" in 1972, he charged me for it, but it is still 2 1/2". Everything seems to be OK with standard Super-X 3/4 ounce 2 3/4" shells and equivalent reloads, but then I've only been shooting it for 53 years. I think they're pretty strong barrels.

[todd allen]

Modern ammo should be fine, as long as the gun is sound.
I wouldn't use 9s on doves, btw.

[Michael Evernham]

Thanks guys! The gun IS chambered 2.75". I simply dropped in a shell I had handy. Went right in and flush.
The gun is tight. No wiggle at all with forearm on OR off.

Todd: Usually can only use 9's for the first day when the birds are thick and close. I haven't measured the chokes on this gun, but it was originally spec'd close/close when it was re-barelled in 1900. SN-77352. (Chuck Bishop sure writes a nice letter).

[Drew Hause]

Michael: please measure again using this method and let us know what you find
http://www.lcsmith.org/faq/chamlgth.html

The 2 3/4" length refers to the shell case after firing ie. mouth open and crimp extended

Dave Noreen can provide lots of infro regarding the c. 1900 28g load

[Bill Murphy]

Dropping a shell in the chamber is not measuring the chamber. Sorry about that.

[Dean Romig]

I believe that gun is made on a 0-frame and as such has plenty of chamber wall thickness... the crux of the matter - that of chamber depth - can't be accurately measured by dropping a shell in the chamber. Chambers were cut for the length of the fired shell. You should measure the chambers correctly and then use appropriate ammo.... like the revered RST products.

[Dean Romig]

WOW - A number of us jumped on that one, didn't we.

Safety first!! We're just looking out for your best interests Michael.

[Dave Noreen]

In 1900, the year you say your gun was rebarreled to 28-gauge, I only find the few 28-gauge shells North American ammunition companies were offering to be 2 1/2 inch with a load of 1 3/4 drams of either bulk smokeless powder or black powder pushing 5/8 ounce of shot. By 1901, I find that in addition to the above, UMC was also offering 28-gauge NPEs in 2 7/8 inch length. A few years later the loaded cartridge listing offered the 2 7/8 inch hull with 2 drams of powder, but still only the 5/8 ounce of shot. The high velocity 28-gauge loading using progressive burning powder in a 2 7/8 inch hull pushing 3/4 ounce of shot came out in 1932. Shortly before WW-II the ammunition companies began phasing in the 2 3/4 inch 28-gauge shell and pretty quickly after the War the 2 1/2 inch and 2 7/8 inch 28-gauge shells were gone from their offerings.

RST offers a delightful little 2 1/2 inch 1 3/4 dram equiv. 5/8 ounce of shot 28-gauge shell, delivered to your door in most states.

http://www.rstshells.com/rst_classic_shotshells_shotshells.htm

[Michael Evernham]

That's what I love about this group. I learn from you guys every time! So much knowledge and always friendly and willing to share.

I will take your advice and measure the chambers correctly. I will also investigate loads from RST.

Thanks!

[Michael Evernham]

Brownells had exactly what I needed. Should be here in a couple days.

[Bill Murphy]

Would that be their 20-28 bore micrometer for about $100 or less? That's what you need to measure your chambers, bores, and chokes. A bargain for sure.

[todd allen]

Thanks guys! The gun IS chambered 2.75". I simply dropped in a shell I had handy. Went right in and flush.
The gun is tight. No wiggle at all with forearm on OR off.

Todd: Usually can only use 9's for the first day when the birds are thick and close. I haven't measured the chokes on this gun, but it was originally spec'd close/close when it was re-barelled in 1900. SN-77352. (Chuck Bishop sure writes a nice letter).
It has nothing to do with ballistics. My reasoning for not using anything smaller than 7 1/2s on game birds is because I don't like the risk of eating lead. The bigger shot, if it stays in the bird, is a lot easier to spot while cleaning the birds. The small shot, like 9s, is just too much small, hard to find lead in the meat to contend with.
This year, my dove and quail loads have been 1 oz. of 7s, at a little over 1100 fps. I get a clean kill, with my Parker's tight chokes, and what little lead that might remain in the birds is easy to spot, and remove.

[Michael Evernham]

After gauging the chambers, it is indeed chambered for 2.5" loads. Thanks to everyone for the guidance! Now off to RST website to order some ammo!