Backyard Proof House

[Mike Poindexter]

Back before RST and the Sherman Bell tests, Ross Seyfried wrote about using 7625 for low pressure reloads in damascus and twist barrels. He advised to do a thorough visual inspection for any flaws or alterations, then said to stuff a couple of Win AA loads in, rest the butt in an old tire on the ground, with the barrels lying on top, tie a string to the trigger, and back up about 50 feet and let her rip. The AA's, he said, developed only about 10,500 psi which was plenty enough proof for him. I tried it on an old pair of Ithaca twist barrels with pristine bores, and they "passed" the proof. Notice I didnt stuff 3 inch 1 7/8 oz 2's in it. Have fun!

[Dollar Grade]

Head to a couple of gun shows and picke up a box of nitro 2 7/8 inch loads and use them to proof it. If you can't find any then there are a few of us that could send you a couple for proofing. If there are no major flaws with the bbls then the vintage or RST shells are just the ticket. There is a sherman bell loading manual floating around and there is short 10ga manual that Gunnerman Books sells.......all the loads use IMR 7625 in that manual Gunnerman manual. There are several of us using sherman bell loads. I think I am using his #75 load for target... it is a 1 1/8oz load at about 5500 psi and crushes the clays. I shot a deer several years ago with an old 2 7/8" Remington Express 0 Buck. Used a 3 frame Parker DH 10. The old Remington shells seem to shoot consistently but I have had problems with some of the old Winchesters. The primer doesn't seem to crush and may just have gone bad.

Good luck and enjoy......it is a lot of fun (and satisfying) shooting turkeys with the old guns.

Kurt