Before everyone starts screaming, Never, Never: I haven't done this. However, I do have some questions as to wether it would be possible!
Backgound: I have a 12 gauge SXS hammer gun with damascus barrels. I have had it checked out by a professional gunsmith and he found it safe to shoot. I have also measured the chambers myself as well and found them to be 2 3/4". I have also "proofed" it with a load slightly more than that which I typically shoot in it. My load is 60.5 grains of FFFg under 7/8 oz. of shot. I have used this gun on a dove shoot before and really enjoyed it.
Can a smokeless load be created that would be safe in this shotgun?
Correct me if I am wrong; There are 2 major reasons for not using smokeless in a good damascus barrel. The concern about barrel strength and small imperfections in the laminations causing a blow-up and the fact that smokeless loads usually operate at much higer pressures than the old black powder loads.
The smokeless loads I had been thinking about were as low as 3,400 psi and had been used supposedly in some CAS events with some damascus guns. I am aware of the pressure concerns of smokeless versus black but I think a smokeless load in the 3,400 psi range would have been safe in my gun. Unless I am mistaken 3,400 psi is even lower pressure than many, if not most vintage black powder loads. The loads were listed in the Accurate data.
The biggest concern I had (beside maintaining all current appendeges) was that the pressure curve of the smokeless load was much more compressed in time and therefore would cause a sharper peak pressure spike in the breech than that of black. I don't see how that would be possible with such a mild smokeless load.
My main objective in exploring smokeless for that shotgun was to REDUCE wear and tear from recoil and extensive cleaning as well as the potential of any barrel rupture by using a LIGHTER load. Also it would be nice to have a load that could be made on standard reloading equipment. I have really enjoyed bringing this fine old gun out of forced retirement and would like to shoot it more. Preferably with a SAFE and mild smokeless load but I will stick with black if I have too.
Thanks for any input!
Reb
Backgound: I have a 12 gauge SXS hammer gun with damascus barrels. I have had it checked out by a professional gunsmith and he found it safe to shoot. I have also measured the chambers myself as well and found them to be 2 3/4". I have also "proofed" it with a load slightly more than that which I typically shoot in it. My load is 60.5 grains of FFFg under 7/8 oz. of shot. I have used this gun on a dove shoot before and really enjoyed it.
Can a smokeless load be created that would be safe in this shotgun?
Correct me if I am wrong; There are 2 major reasons for not using smokeless in a good damascus barrel. The concern about barrel strength and small imperfections in the laminations causing a blow-up and the fact that smokeless loads usually operate at much higer pressures than the old black powder loads.
The smokeless loads I had been thinking about were as low as 3,400 psi and had been used supposedly in some CAS events with some damascus guns. I am aware of the pressure concerns of smokeless versus black but I think a smokeless load in the 3,400 psi range would have been safe in my gun. Unless I am mistaken 3,400 psi is even lower pressure than many, if not most vintage black powder loads. The loads were listed in the Accurate data.
The biggest concern I had (beside maintaining all current appendeges) was that the pressure curve of the smokeless load was much more compressed in time and therefore would cause a sharper peak pressure spike in the breech than that of black. I don't see how that would be possible with such a mild smokeless load.
My main objective in exploring smokeless for that shotgun was to REDUCE wear and tear from recoil and extensive cleaning as well as the potential of any barrel rupture by using a LIGHTER load. Also it would be nice to have a load that could be made on standard reloading equipment. I have really enjoyed bringing this fine old gun out of forced retirement and would like to shoot it more. Preferably with a SAFE and mild smokeless load but I will stick with black if I have too.
Thanks for any input!
Reb