18 Guage double rifle.

[TWM]

I have an 18 guage Williams & Powell double rifle that I bought 49 years ago. In addition to the rifle barrels, it came with a set of 14 guage shot barrels. The rifle barrels are virtually unused as it had obviously been used exclusively as a shotgun. It has probably been at least 35 years since I last shot the rifle using a .635 round patched ball. I would like to shoot it again and use it for deer hunting instead of my 50 cal Hawkins rifle but cannot remember the powder charge. Has anyone had experience with shooting this type of firearm and if so what charge do you recommend? Alternatively, can anyone point me in the direction where I may be able to find any literature on the subject? Thanks in advance for any help. (PS: At almost 80, it may be coming up for sale in the not too distant future. Anyone have any idea of what it would be worth?)

 

[rich pierce]

Looks like it could shoot a round ball well. I’d start with 80 grains and go up from there; 100 grains tops because of recoil for me.

 

[Rudyard]

I have an 18 guage Williams & Powell double rifle that I bought 49 years ago. In addition to the rifle barrels, it came with a set of 14 guage shot barrels. The rifle barrels are virtually unused as it had obviously been used exclusively as a shotgun. It has probably been at least 35 years since I last shot the rifle using a .635 round patched ball. I would like to shoot it again and use it for deer hunting instead of my 50 cal Hawkins rifle but cannot remember the powder charge. Has anyone had experience with shooting this type of firearm and if so what charge do you recommend? Alternatively, can anyone point me in the direction where I may be able to find any literature on the subject? Thanks in advance for any help. (PS: At almost 80, it may be coming up for sale in the not too distant future. Anyone have any idea of what it would be worth?)

Williams & Powell where Liverpool makers my 1859 Volunteer Enfield is from them various addresses up to 1870 Looks a nice rifle could be for a conical or ball . No case ? if it has a cap box the load might be engraved under the lid , what do sights say ? most big game guns are for short range try two up to 3 drams. Nice rifle .Re value Ide say lots! for a fuller back ground suggest English Gunmaker by Bailey & Nie Doug Nye used to work for Weller & Dufty .Auctioneers my copy records Williams & Powell 10 pool lane1833.13 South Castle St 1831836 ,209 South Castle Street .1837-59 same 1860 to 70 ,partner ship with Thomas Williams & Samuel Powell to 1846 only There that might help.
.Regards Rudyard

 

[TWM]

Wiliams & Powell where Liverpool makers my 1859 Volunteer Enfield is from them various addresses up to 1870 Looks a nice rifle could be for a conical or ball . No case ? if it has a cap box the load might be engraved under the lid , what do sights say ? most big game guns are for short range try two up to 3 drams. Nice rifle .
.Regards Rudyard

Thanks. If memory serves me correctly, I used 2 3/4 drams of FF in the 14 guage shotgun barrels although that was decades ago. There is nothing engraved under that cap box lid. As far as sights are concerned, there are three fold up rear leaf sights marked 100, 200 and 300 and a simple blade front site. I have always assumed this meant yards but I cannot picture how this would have been effective or even accurate at 300 yards. I guess the only way to find out is to start shooting it. I will heed you advice and start with 2 drams and work my way up.

 

[Rudyard]

Thanks. If memory serves me correctly, I used 2 3/4 drams of FF in the 14 guage shotgun barrels although that was decades ago. There is nothing engraved under that cap box lid. As far as sights are concerned, there are three fold up rear leaf sights marked 100, 200 and 300 and a simple blade front site. I have always assumed this meant yards but I cannot picture how this would have been effective or even accurate at 300 yards. I guess the only way to find out is to start shooting it. I will heed you advice and start with 2 drams and work my way up. View attachment 362746

Dear TMW The shot gun load was fine. the 300 yards isnt too likley to be for a ball But it could be. What pitch is the rifling ? Forsythe advocated heavy charges & slow pitch but in bigger bores ..He was based in the jungles of South India and had Lots of time to experiment . Maybe some sort of conical but if the pitch is faster its more likley .If the sights are' often down to fancy , I bought a Double Rifle in India it was sighted to a thousand yards . A Lancasters Oval Bore' long ladder Breech Loader with English & Hindi marked increment's . Well Thats' fancy' you cant SEE an Elephant at that range . But to be kind maybe the buyer a known Indian Maharaja' gun nut' (same as us) had a range set out . Lancasters tester might have access to such a range but I think its more down to calculated guess .a 500 cal with his slide & lock underlever similar to the Jones under lever but early . this is BL ers but linked enough to our theme so I trust it' s exceptable .
Regards Rudyard