black powder hammerguns

[tomburras]

hi all i have just bought a mint old s/s Damascus barreled hammer gun with black powder proofs and wondered if anyone has used one for pigeon shooting. i know the cartridges are expensive but its only for ocasional use. what are peoples opinions of such a gun and was it any good for shooting pigeons? thanks.

[Andy H]

Apply for an aquire and keep blackpowder certificate and a HSE transfer document ( both free of charge) and load your own.

[CBL]

I use an 1870 nitro-prooved Reilly hammergun for most of my shooting and on occasion have used Blackpowder cartridges on both pigeon and on driven days. I really enjoy them, and yes, they are not that cheap, but if used sparingly, the cost and effect continue to be good throughout the season. Just Cartridges have some but I also think Peter Dyson sell them quite reasonably.

[hairyduck]

###Apply for an aquire and keep blackpowder certificate and a HSE transfer document ( both free of charge) and load your own. ###

 

 

Or just use pyrodex so no licence needed

Edited September 29, 2010 by hairyduck

[Vince Green]

###Apply for an aquire and keep blackpowder certificate and a HSE transfer document ( both free of charge) and load your own. ###

 

 

Or just use pyrodex so no licence needed

Yes but Pyro is about three times the price of BP and you get through a tub in no time with a shotgun, about 85 cartridges out of a tub = approx 45p per cartridge. Other than that its a good alternative to get you started.

Edited September 29, 2010 by Vince Green

[tomburras]

thank you for the replies!

 

what is pyrodex is it like a low pressure smokeless substitute?

 

i am yet to try out my hammer gun when i get time next week and if i like black powder then i might start reloading to save some money. is it hard to get a black powder certificate?

 

i have some 30 year old paper cased black powder cartridges, should these be OK to use?

 

PS, my gun has very light pitting in one barrel, if i had these honed out and submitted it for nitro proof whats the likelihood of it passing? it has good wall thickness and great tight action and overall condition.

 

sorry for all the questions but I'm really interested.

[Vince Green]

Light pitting is not a problem, its almost standard on guns that were around before non corrosive cartridges. Do not get it skimmed out, one because its not worth it and two because you don't want to remove any metal.

Getting it nitro proofed is a bit more of a tricky subject. You describe the barrels as damascus but in reality they are probably laminate. Most people can't tell the difference, I can't. However there is a difference and laminate barrels won't take nitro proof.

If it fails, good bye gun.

Anyway, the whole character, balance and feel of the gun is right for black powder. It is very different to smokeless and once you have given it a bit of a try you will hopefully see what I mean.

Pyrodex is a black powder substitute but it looks like black powder, smells like black powder and makes as much mess as black powder, but you don't need the paperwork to buy it. If you buy a tub be sure to ask for the handbook at the same time, to get the loading tables.

Edited October 1, 2010 by Vince Green

[tomburras]

thank you i feel better about the pitting now, i think ill leave it. it says damascus down the barrels but could it still be laminated? some very helpful info there. thank you vince green.

[MartB]

Who is the gun maker? It is obviously a back action and looks to be circa 1880, or a bit earlier.

I use a range of BP guns from muzzle loader to cartridge. Great fun. As V.Green says, light pitting is not a problem. Have your local friendly gunsmith look it over though in case you have missed anything. 30 year old cartridges will probably still work if they were looked after. Some might have a value now though. best to buy some new ones and then reload those. Half the fun is finding the reloading kit either in antique shops or on Ebay.

Check with the gunsmith re Damascus and also chamber length. It may be 2 1/2 inch rather than 2 3/4. could even be 2". Black powder is a lot more forgiving than nitro, but you don't want to push your luck. As a quick check, look at the under side of the barrel. it may well give you the chamber length and some other details. Re loading for 12bore with BP and Pyrodex:

Pyrodex should be used in slightly smaller quantities as it has a bit more power in it. For Bp the load for a 2 3/4 inch cartridge should be around 2 1/2 drams of BP and 1 oz shot. (There are 27 1/2 grains to the dram, if that helps). Your measures will be in drams if you buy originals. Have fun. :look: