royden Posted October 3, 2020 Report Share Posted October 3, 2020 I am in the process of buying a W Watson & son single barrel hammer gun dating from the late 1800s partly for the experience of shooting it but mainly because it is a nice looking gun. My problem is that i have no experience with reloading ( although i intend to learn) so was wondering if anyone is reloading 8 bore commercially. Thanks in advance. Roy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave at kelton Posted October 3, 2020 Report Share Posted October 3, 2020 I am not aware of anyone loading commercially and any old cartridges are likely to be lead so another problem. Kent gunsmiths are advertising a box of Alan Myers. Best bet is get some kit and load your own, not difficult to learn. Not sure where you are based or could let you have a few. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokersmith Posted October 4, 2020 Report Share Posted October 4, 2020 I have some spare components if you wanted to start rolling your own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
royden Posted October 4, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2020 Thanks for the offer gents but i am still not sure what i need. It has a damascus choked barrel but shows no chamber length or load rating and a proof mark that i think is black powder. The gun itself is in nice condition and has either had an easy life or renovation at some stage and although it would look nice on the wall i just couldnt do it. Is it a practical proposition to shoot black powder or would a reproof for nitro be the way to go. Thanks Roy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Best Posted October 4, 2020 Report Share Posted October 4, 2020 Proof mark shows black powder proof between 1875/1887. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokersmith Posted October 4, 2020 Report Share Posted October 4, 2020 If you want to use it, nitro proofing will make things easier. I'd take it to a gunsmith you trust, and get his view ... looking at the amount of meat around the chambers, I think you'll be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
royden Posted October 4, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2020 Thanks for the information gents and yes Smokersmith i will be at the gunsmiths first thing in the morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave at kelton Posted October 4, 2020 Report Share Posted October 4, 2020 Black powder is perfectly feasible and there are a few up here on the Solway regularly using it on the geese. I would guess it will be a 3 1/4” chamber but will be interested to hear what you are told by your gunsmith. Happy to let you have a copy of an early Alan Myers catalogue with loads. if you go black powder you will be wise to get brass cases made. I use nitro and ITM in No 1 or BB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harkom Posted October 4, 2020 Report Share Posted October 4, 2020 If bore measurements remain as proof stamp, then probably a 3 1/4" chamber. And IF 10B at muzzle be wary of putting plastic G wads through it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scolopax Posted October 4, 2020 Report Share Posted October 4, 2020 I’m no expert but had to learn to reload to keep my 8 fed with a few shells each season. Can all be done with hand tools, Resizer, decapper / capper, RTO. Might not be prettiest loads but if I point them in the right direction geese fall down. as mentioned above be wary of plas wads, I have heard a few bad stories. I compromised by just using the plastic gas seal cut off a Gulandi wad but have now got a tool for making inverted card cup gas seals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave at kelton Posted October 4, 2020 Report Share Posted October 4, 2020 1 hour ago, scolopax said: I’m no expert but had to learn to reload to keep my 8 fed with a few shells each season. Can all be done with hand tools, Resizer, decapper / capper, RTO. Might not be prettiest loads but if I point them in the right direction geese fall down. as mentioned above be wary of plas wads, I have heard a few bad stories. I compromised by just using the plastic gas seal cut off a Gulandi wad but have now got a tool for making inverted card cup gas seals. Agree on all points, well made, although I probably use rather more shells. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holloway Posted October 6, 2020 Report Share Posted October 6, 2020 Just a word of warning I sent an old 10 bore off for reproofing once via a gunsmith, it came back stamped 2 5/8 inch when I knew it was 2 7/8 as I had already taken a chamber cast .Not sure where the mistake was made but proof house agreed it was wrong and restamped it correctly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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