Forcing cones

[JCK]

I just took my recently acquired 1901 Vulcan 12 gauge. As I was getting ready a friend came by, looked down the breech and said, "Someone took the forcing cones out."

A bit of reading told me that many guns of this era did not have cones but shoulders as mine does. Some said that using modern ammo without a forcing cone would loosen the hinge pin. Others said adding a foxing cone could create excessive pressure.

Does anyone have any info or suggestions about the desirability of forcing cones in a 114 year old gun?

[Kensal Rise]

Sir:
Forcing cones are a good thing. As long as the creation/elongation of them does not thin the barrel walls too much ahead of the chamber. This is the primary danger in old doubles because this is where pressures are the highest.

To determine wall thickness, you need a wall thickness gauge. A good gunsmith will have one. And will be able to advise you on safety.

The function of the cone is to "funnel" the shot and wadding into the bore as they leave the cartridge. The presence of a cone does not raise pressure. It lowers it. What generally loosens an old double is hot, heavy-charge modern cartridges. Americans love them. Old doubles don't.

Read some of the McIntosh "Shotguns and Shooting" books for more.

[Sam Ogle]

Wonderfully said Mr. Rise: Older guns don't need the pounding, nor do gentlemen shooters. The best sporting clays score I have shot with my 12 Gauge was with 7/8 ounce loads. And, yes, they kill pheasants stone dead too.

[JCK]

Thanks for the feed back. I have ordered "Shotguns and Shooting."

As with most things on the internet, it is always best to check the information. I am glad to have this forum as a resource.

JCK

[Parkerman]

Please help me a bit. Relieving forcing cones does reduce pressure and lessens recoil--right?

[Dean Romig]

Not significantly.

Parker's chambers were generally cut 1/8" shorter than the length of the shell recommended for use in them. This 1/8" provided for a better gas seal when the paper shell opened into the cone rather than stopping exactly at the shoulder of the cone.
You might expect a pressure rise of approximately 100 p.s.i. due to this design.

Again, not significant.

[JCK]

Does anybody have any suggestions on loads for pheasant or grouse. I would like to take my VH to the field this fall but want to make sure it comes back in one piece.

[Bill Murphy]

Are you saying your gun has square edges at the front of the chambers? That is not the way this gun was made.

[Kensal Rise]

Any load that throws 1 0z. of shot at 1200 fps or less.

[JCK]

There is a distinct ring inside the chambers rather than a taper.