Trying to find 20 gauge shells for old shotgun

[Sassi]

I own an old Davis 20 gauge double barreled shotgun, in very good condition. I am told this shotgun has a damascus barrel. I was also told that modern shotshell loads should not be used in this shotgun. Does anyone make shotgun shells for a 20 gauge damascus barrel shotgun?

 

[oneounceload]

IF, I repeat IF, a COMPETENT gunsmith has pronounced your gun fit and able to be shot, then, and only then, should you contact companies like RST and Polywad for their Vintager ammo. There are a LOT of folks who shoot older guns, some dating from the 1890's and earlier, but these guns have been checked time and again for any potential issues. (You'll see a large group saying to NEVER fire a Damascus - the true answer is....."it depends")

Some parts assembler is not the guy to go . Try asking on www.doublegunshop.com or here: http://www.vintagers.org/

Good luck and stay safe - get it checked out, have the chamber length checked - (it will most likely be 2-1/2", NOT the the current 2-3/4")

 

[HiWayMan]

Sounds like a good canidate for brass shells and blackpowder to me.

 

[Sassi]

I just ordered some 20 gauge shells through RST a little while ago. WWW.RSTSHELLS.COM will tell you more about their different lines of shotgun shells. They make a variety of low recoil shotgun shells for 12, 16, 20, 28 and 410 shotguns. The 20 gauge shells I ordered produce 6200 PSI of pressure, instead of the normal range of 9000 to 10,000 PSI of pressure.

 

[rajb123]

I remember reading about demascus barrels. Can someone refresh me? These were made with strips of metal that were wound on a mandrel and welded together; right?

 

[oneounceload]

Here's some info you might find helpful:

http://www.hallowellco.com/damascus_twist_barrels.htm