Pigeon shooting with antique shotgun

[J98330040M]

Hi everyone, I have recently inherited an extremely well-kept 12 gauge side-by-side which dates to 1905. It’s a double trigger non-ejector boxlock, and my only 12g. It’s chambered for 2 3/4 but I’d feel more comfortable with 2 1/2. All in proof!
 

Up until now I have primarily shot .410, a side-by-side and my Mossberg hushpower. 

I’ve put some old paper-cased 32g 6’s through it on the weekend and the thing kicks like a mule, would anybody be able to recommend a decent pigeon cartridge:

 

2 1/2 inch (65mm)

cheap

reliable

reduced recoil!

 

thanks in advance

[matone]

Hull Comp X 28gr.........Hull Intercomp 24gr.........Hull 3 Crowns (not cheap!).......Hull Imperial 26gr (same).

Cheddite Universal Trap 24gr 71/2 (English 7) 23/4 but still ok in light gun.

Hth.

Edited March 26, 2021 by matone

[wymberley]

As a starter for ten, I'll chuck in what I use for the same reason as you've asked - Gamebore SuperGame Hi Bird 28g. For me, these are better than Impax.

[Old farrier]

Is it kicking because it’s probably proof for a 1..1/8 oz load try any of the lighter 1 oz loads 

or maybe it’s too short in the stock 

[TIGHTCHOKE]

36 minutes ago, Old farrier said:

Is it kicking because it’s probably proof for a 1..1/8 oz load try any of the lighter 1 oz loads 

or maybe it’s too short in the stock 

I.E it doesn't fit!

[kenholland]

i put eley impax through my 1891 william powell hammer gun they don't kick , kill well to.

[Old farrier]

1 hour ago, TIGHTCHOKE said:

I.E it doesn't fit!

Just a different way of saying it 😂

Edited March 26, 2021 by Old farrier

[Rob85]

32g 6s will give a bit of boot in a light gun but do make sure it's not coming off the face and in need of a rejoining. If you're decoying pigeon or keeping range sensible and want a light cartridge try a 21gram load, I use them in my side by side AYA  yeoman if I take it out on the skeet stand. Should have plenty of oomph to take down a 25-30yard pigeon

[bruno22rf]

I use xpress super light fibre 21g in my older guns, if she's over 100 years old do you really want to shove 32g through her?

[London Best]

In the early 20th century the standard charge for a 2 1/2 inch chambered 12 bore was 1 1/8 ounces, 32 grams. 
Maybe the powder was a little more gentle in those days? The velocity may have been lower, but not by a great deal.

[bruno22rf]

Agreed London Best, but the guns were not 100+ years old then 🙃.

[harkom]

There is usually a very good underlying reason for a vintage gun to turn up with low mileage in the present day.

[Old farrier]

1 hour ago, harkom said:

There is usually a very good underlying reason for a vintage gun to turn up with low mileage in the present day.

Very true 

found one that had its stock broken and had been in the cabinet for the last 30 years awaited repair 😊

[London Best]

4 hours ago, bruno22rf said:

Agreed London Best, but the guns were not 100+ years old then 🙃.

I don’t believe that makes any difference providing the gun has been looked after properly.

[Old farrier]

2 hours ago, London Best said:

I don’t believe that makes any difference providing the gun has been looked after properly.

And there’s the problem we have no idea how it was looked after by the 3 generation’s that owned and used it before us very few of us have had the same gun for 100 years 

longest I’ve had one is 49 years 

[bruno22rf]

3 hours ago, London Best said:

I don’t believe that makes any difference providing the gun has been looked after properly.

You'll go over my knee if you keep on!!!! Metal ages and weakens over time, besides this my main concern is the long term care of some of these pieces, sure, some careful string of owners may have tended the gun over the last century plus but surely it decerves to be treated gently and hopefully saved for future generations?

[London Best]

1 hour ago, Old farrier said:

And there’s the problem we have no idea how it was looked after by the 3 generation’s that owned and used it before us very few of us have had the same gun for 100 years 

longest I’ve had one is 49 years 

Obviously.
But you can see if it’s rotten with rust or if the barrels do not measure properly or are off the face. Condition is everything, not age.
My youngest are both Spanish, proved in 1974 and 1962. My everyday driven gun is 1930 and I have three made around 1900. The other two are older, one much older at 1865. The other one is, admittedly, ropey.  I do not consider any of them to be delicate because of their age.

 

4 minutes ago, bruno22rf said:

You'll go over my knee if you keep on!!!! Metal ages and weakens over time, besides this my main concern is the long term care of some of these pieces, sure, some careful string of owners may have tended the gun over the last century plus but surely it decerves to be treated gently and hopefully saved for future generations?        

Noooo! Not the knee again, pleeeese

I treat all guns gently.

[J98330040M]

For anyone interested, I shot 30 out of 50 clays this week using Hull Comp X 21g 7.5 - they were an absolute dream to use, gun handled perfectly. Would recommend. 
 

Going to get some of the 28g to try on the pigeons. 

Edited April 10, 2021 by J98330040M

[matone]

I`m sure you`ll find them suitable! I`ve recently been using Eley Select and found them to be very soft shooting too.

[Jasonk]

Shoot a side by side myself Damascus barrel vintage lyvale express supreme game 30g of six shot kill very well and smooth to shoot.

[Walker570]

On 26/03/2021 at 14:49, Old farrier said:

Is it kicking because it’s probably proof for a 1..1/8 oz load try any of the lighter 1 oz loads 

or maybe it’s too short in the stock 

On the nail. I have my grandfathers old BSA Side by side and take it out occasionally and compared to my 410 it does kick a bit even though the stock has been altered to my fit.   The fact you are used to very light recoil and the stock may not be perfect could be a major reason.  Plenty of light shooting 12 gauge shells out there some listed above.

[Old farrier]

13 minutes ago, Walker570 said:

On the nail. I have my grandfathers old BSA Side by side and take it out occasionally and compared to my 410 it does kick a bit even though the stock has been altered to my fit.   The fact you are used to very light recoil and the stock may not be perfect could be a major reason.  Plenty of light shooting 12 gauge shells out there some listed above.

It could also help a semi pistol grip putting the op hand into the incorrect place for a good fit 

there are many reasons for a gun to kick a bit 

[gmm243]

I shoot a Charles Lancaster with 2.5" chambers.Mainly for smipe and woodcock but also flighting duck and some pigeon and the occasional day at driven pheasants/partridge. 

For the woodcock I use Eley select in a 7.5 which is very soft shooting.For ducks,pigeon and driven game I shoot Supreme game 6's in 30gm,again I do not notice anything unpleasant about the recoil. I am not sure of the weight of the gun but it has 30" Damascus barrels and is reputed to have been made around 1880.I have had it for 31 years,in that time it has had two overhauls.One was to service,rebrown the barrels and fit a butt pad.The more recent was to relay the barrels,fix a broken elector spring and give her a really good service.

Hopefully with care she will do me for another 31 years.

[Mr.C]

Think we might need a picture for the sbs club when you have a moment. 

I have something from the same period. 

[Feltwad]

You will find that prior to 1900 most guns were only black powder proof  if nitro is to be used for safety sake they should be reproofed for nitro

Feltwad