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.

[Researcher]

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.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!