Old English Bore 12 Shotgun help

[conradin]

I bought an old english shotgun that is a bore 12 size. What is the size in gauge? The seller says it is somewhere between 10 to 11 gauge...

Id like to know how much FFg I should use, and the size of wad, card, and even jag. Should I get 10 gauge or 11 gauge items? Is the load weight being 1/12 pound? This is confusing.

 

[desidog]

Generally speaking "bore" and "gauge" are interchangeable; so a 12 bore is a 12 gauge.

What does the barrel measure at the muzzle? a 12 is around .72" and a 10 gauge is around .77"

Is it old enough to have damascus barrels? If so, it may not be safe to shoot.

 

[Crawdad1]

That's what 12 gauge means, "one twelfth of a pounder" in old English terms. When firearms were first developed they were rated by the weight of the projectile, that's why you've always heard of an eight pound napoleon cannon or a twelve pound napoleon cannon. With the "hand" cannons being developed they were also rated by the weight of the projectile or one twelfth of a pounder, 12 gauge, one tenth of a pounder, 10 gauge.


First question is what does the inside of these barrels look like? Pitted? Heavy pitting? Rust? Since we're dealing with twist barrels we can't go any further until you can answers those questions because as Desidog said, 'Is it safe to shoot?"

 

[conradin]

Inside is good. So it is good to go, just a matter of me finding out the ideal powder load, and the size of wad and card, plus what is the ideal distance.

 

[Crawdad1]

Its a 12 gauge with a good bore. So you need a 12 gauge over powder wad, a 12 gauge over shot card along with something to measure the powder and some thing to measure the shot with. After you have those start slow and work up a loading. I always used GOEx 2Fg for a shotgun for the best patterns. In my muzzleloader shotgun built by Pedersoli, I started with 60 grains of powder with one over powder wad and one over shot card and 1 ounce load of lead shot and moved up from there.

These people sell what you need,

http://www.trackofthewolf.com/List/Item.aspx/100/1

http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/100/1/SHOT-DIPPER-D

http://www.trackofthewolf.com/List/Item.aspx/170/1

Just noticed that you're in California so there may be a problem with lead shot.

 

[Crawdad1]

The old formula for best patterns was to use equal load of powder for equal load of shot. For instance, a 1 ounce load of lead shot equals 2 1/2 drams or roughly 68 grains of powder. I never went by this but only used that a good starting point for pattern testing.

 

[conradin]

bore diameter 0,781"

 

[Crawdad1]

Sounds like a big ten gauge or the barrels were honed. Not good. Now check the barrel wall thickness.

 

[Crawdad1]

On second thought you need to check this thing. That diameter doesn't sound right as that is an awfully big 10 gauge. Assuming, of course, that its cylinder bored as most muzzleloader were.

 

[MEHavey]

`Does sound like a 10ga (0.775" or so)
Is there a "12" barrel marking somewhere?

 

[conradin]

yes, ,it is marked "12". I was told it is called a "12 bore"

 

[Crawdad1]

The terms 'bore' and 'gauge' are interchangeable. the Europeans more likely to say 'Bore' while Americans are more likely to say 'Gauge', that's all. You need to have this gun checked by some one hands on so they can handle it, see it and inspect it before shooting it, because something ain't right. And there is no way an internet conversation can ensure that because there is no way a 12 gauge should mic out at .781 unless someone honed the ***** out of it.

 

[Crawdad1]

You got took buddy. Hang it on the wall and buy another one.

Here's a nice one.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=520185100