Hammer gun 101. Help!

[Rick Roemer]

Hi. I have many side by sides but they are all hammerless, except for one percussion cap fowler. I’m totally ignorant of hammer guns after the percussion cap type. I would like to gain knowledge on what is required to use these hammer guns and if there are differences, how to spot them. For instance can I use low pressure RST shells or do I have to load my own brass shells? If I have to load my own what’s involved with that? I’m sure my MEC reloader can’t be involved. But what is needed? Do u have to use brass? Just pretend I know nothing and you’ll be on my level! Thx

I bet this has been asked before so if so, point me in that previous post direction. Thanks, I can’t wait to get my ears on!

[CraigThompson]

I only have hammer guns in 10 and 12 gauges . But I use the same loads in them I use in my hammerless damascus or twist guns . And while some use brass shells I’ve not gone to that extreme as of yet . And yes they’re loaded on MEC presses .

[Daniel Carter]

Need to know what it is you have? Some will be use the appropriate ammo for age, others may have special requirements.

[Rick Roemer]

I have nothing with ears. But have been trolling the site and would like to play ball. I just want to know what I'm getting into on a break action hammer gun

[Rick Losey]

I’m sure my MEC reloader can’t be involved.

that is a surprise to me, my MECs feed my 12 an 10 gauge hammer guns

[Rick Losey]

BTW

assuming equal safe shooting condition, the only difference is how the hammers are cocked

[Rick Roemer]

Ok. Thx. There is a Parker on a cabelas site that states must use brass shells. This is what got me concerned. I have sever Damascus barrels on my guns and always use short hull, low pressure loads, just didn’t know if there was something more to be learned about the hammer, lifter, etc Parkers

[CraigThompson]

Ok. Thx. There is a Parker on a cabelas site that states must use brass shells. This is what got me concerned. I have sever Damascus barrels on my guns and always use short hull, low pressure loads, just didn’t know if there was something more to be learned about the hammer, lifter, etc Parkers

I don’t put a lot of stock in what Cabelas has to say about old doubles .

[Jay Oliver]

It is fun to shoot brass black powder shells in hammer guns as that is what most of the would have shot when new. I do that, but shoot smokeless most of the time. I agree and follow the same principles as many of the comments above. I shoot the same low pressure loads in my hammer and hammer-less guns. RST shells is a great place to get shells if your new to composite barrels(I just noticed you said you shoot alot of damascus and so you probably already know this...).

If you can, try to find someone close to you from our organization PGCA and maybe you be able to try a hammer gun. You'll be hooked for sure. I have bought several Parkers described as black powder only and they get a Red Dot load(10 or 12) directly from a MEC 600jr.

Good luck and you didn't ask this...but you definitely need a hammer gun!

[Dean Romig]

Even with lifters and the early T/A hammer guns with chambers and bores designed for brass shells and black powder (stepped chamber termination and no forcing cones) it is perfectly safe (all other aspects of the barrels deemed safe) to shoot plastic or paper hulls. I currently have four such guns and shoot RST cheddites in all of them.






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[Rick Roemer]

Perfect. This is the info I was looking for. Without a resource like The PGCA, folks like me would be lost. Thanks for the knowledge. Now I have to find one of these hammer guns.

[Victor Wasylyna]

Rick:

Morphy’s premier auction is about two months away. I bet they will have some nice hammerguns on the block. It’s a great way to add new Parkers to your collection. The digital catalog should be posted soon. Check out:

https://www.morphyauctions.com/auctions/past-auctions/extraordinary-firearms/

-Victor

[Bruce Day]

From a Parker hammer gun brochure . Translate these black powder drams to smokeless dram equivalents. As you can see, these can be heavy loads then and now.

[Kingston Wulff]

Reviewing the reloading data above; these are some hefty loads by today's standards. If Mr. Guy has a vintage 1870's lifter gun I would advise him to consider reloading Black Powder into brass hulls. Make sure that the hulls fit his chambers then find some vintage reloading tools. I have loaded 12 ga. BP on the kitchen table while my wife reads the morning paper. (It's that easy with hand tools).