Hammer gun carts

[Oobeast]

Evening all, I've decided to take my hammer gun out on the pidge and was wondering what size cart is best or most effective. I realise that old guns don't like anything bigger than 21-24 grams. All advise most welcome. Cheers

[39TDS]

I just stick any normal carts in mine.

28g clay pigeon carts at the mo cos they were cheapest. They still kill pigeons.

Edited July 9, 2012 by 39TDS

[Andy H]

What does your proof marks say.

[Zapp]

What length are the chambers? A lot are 2 1/2 inch so only 65mm or 67mm can be used. Also, as has been said, check your proof marks and do not exceed the pressure rating or load weight.

 

I use 30g 6's in mine.

[Blunderbust]

What length are the chambers? A lot are 2 1/2 inch so only 65mm or 67mm can be used. Also, as has been said, check your proof marks and do not exceed the pressure rating or load weight.

 

I use 30g 6's in mine.

 

As stated above, check your proof marks, I use 30g 5's for the Pheasants.

[bigrob]

I use Lyalvale Express in mine - 28 gram 65mm - 6's or 7's fibre wad - recommended for old hammer guns. Rob.

[HDAV]

Eley do some special 2 1/2 loads for older guns

[bedwards1966]

The most important thing is not to exceed the chamber length, doing so can be very dangerous (much more so than using heavy cartridges). As said, the proof marks can tell you what it was proofed for (though that doesn't mean it's still safe for them, depending on how much it's been used/worn since proofing).

Really though if the gun is in good condition it should be fine for any clay loads, 28g isn't exactly much provided there is nothing wrong with the gun to make it unsafe - if it's not safe to handle 28g I'd be questioning whether it's safe for 24 or 21g. I use an ancient (1897) gun with 28g clay loads all the time, and frequently I also use 32g. I know it's safe because it's a good gun in safe condition. If it had deep pitting or any real wear it'd be different.

Edited July 10, 2012 by bedwards1966

[Hector Vector]

I've an 1891 Westley Richards 12 bore and always use 1 1/8oz (32gram) loads. It's what it was proofed for, it's still well in proof (I've measured it) therefore it's perfectly OK to do so. The age of the gun has nothing to do with the loads you can use in it (within reason i.e. proof status). Just satisfy yourself it's still in proof and use what the proof marks tell you can use.

[Guest cookoff013]

just check the proof marks, then that will be safe for your gun.

 

i see no reason to assume that your gun can do just 21-24g.

if its old then it would have been proofed to the industry standard load of 1,1/8oz at the time. but please check. back in them days, no-one would consider using 21grams.

 

now both pressure and speed of shells are very varied. aswell as the CIP and saami pressure ratings as well as the units both parties have used. such as PSI, BAR, mPA as well as the technique to measure it all, from transducer and lead units (and copper units)

 

my final point is, research what the gun is proofed for. then use those cartridges.

 

often the lighter loads need in excess of 10000psi just to burn right.

[kent]

Evening all, I've decided to take my hammer gun out on the pidge and was wondering what size cart is best or most effective. I realise that old guns don't like anything bigger than 21-24 grams. All advise most welcome. Cheers

 

One assumes its a 12 bore then? it could be another