Damascus/Modern Shells
 

Question for everyone...I prefer to shoot a 16 ga with 2 3/4 Fiocchi high brass 6 shot shells for grouse hunting. (Please don’t respond arguing about my load of choice. I find I wound and lose much less grouse when I use this load.). I digress. I currently have steel barrels on a 1 frame. I was considering purchasing a gun with Damascus barrels. My question is can you shoot these shells in Damascus barrels safely? I would not be targeting shoot with them. Would it matter if the chambers were altered to handle the 2 3/4 shells?

Thanks,
Trey

I’ve got a 16 gauge GH of 1911 vintage that has Damascus barrels and I shoot the factory promotional Dove & Quail as well as Squirrel loads in it and some would say don’t . But as to a high brass shell if it’s the same shot load powder charge as what Remington calls their “Express” loads my own personal opinion would be no .

Frame size can sometimes translate to wall thickness at the critical points in the breech end of the barrels. I wouldn’t attempt it on a 0-frame 16.





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You really should see if you can find out what pressures those shells are?

I should have clarified. I currently have steel barrels on a 1 frame. I was considering purchasing a gun with Damascus barrels.

Same answer what are the pressure of the shells you are shooting and wall thickness of the barrels.

High brass is no indicator of the load, btw.

I believe that all common, but perhaps not specialty, factory loaded 16 gauge shotshells be they high or low brass operate in the 10,000 to 11,000 PSI range some even higher. Personally I avoid them in any of my older shotguns, Damascus or steel, more to avoid stress on the frame than any other reason. Although I've not experienced it I'v seen cracked frames on older guns from shooting modern high pressure shotshells.

Just my $0,02 for what it's worth.

The big factor isn't so much the barrels as the condition of the wood at the head of the stock. Your considering buying a gun that's 100 +/- years old. I have Damascus 16's with great wall thickness and wouldn't shoot those shells.

I guess the real question is why shoot them? There are readily available alternatives made for older guns, in a variety of shot sizes. There is just no need to risk damaging a firearms or injuring yourself or others.