410 percussion sxs

[Bear4570]

Just picked up what appears to be a 410 belgium made sxs percussion. Can find no name on it other than made in belgium, barrels measure .410 at the end. Looks like damascus barrels. Real light, brass butt plate, trigger guard and small patch box. Anyone ever seen one of these?

Thanks, Bear

 

[mazo kid]

I've never seen one; can you post pictures?

 

[Zonie]

Bear4570

Sounds like an interesting gun.

If you start thinking about shooting it I might be able to get you into the ball park for loads.

Dixie Gunworks Catalog doesn't list the .410 bore guns charge but it does list in the:
SERVICE LOADS FOR MUZZLELOADINGS GUNS
Feb. 1896
by the Gunmakers Company and the Guardians of the Birmingham Proof House
Under the authority of the Gun Barrel Proof Act, 1868.

A charge is given for guns in the 41-50 bore range.
That covers bores from .453 thru .484 diameter.

For these guns it says the service load is 1 Dram (27 grains) of powder with 164 grains (3/8 ounce) of shot.

Your gun was very likely built to shoot loads very similar to this one.

 

[BrownBear]

There have been at least one previous thread about 410 SxS in the last year, though I think the entire discussion was about a modern repro (CVA?). Lots of theory spouting by folks who had no experience with 410's along with more informed comments, so it take some reading and sorting.

As I recall loads were mentioned, but they were heavier than Zonie describes. Cnosidering yours appears to have damascus barrels, I'd lean toward the conservative.

 

[Britsmoothy]

Might just make a light ball shooter for rabbit and squirls :wink :

Britsmoothy.

 

[Zonie]

Dixie's catalog lists a heavier load for a 46 guage (.466 caliber) gun too. That's in the same neighborhood as the service load I mentioned above.

This load is 55 grains of Black Powder loaded under 219 grains (1/2 ounce) of shot. The thing that might get folks attention about this heavier load is THIS IS A DEFINITIVE PROOF LOAD.

I haven't read the other posts about .410's to see what their recommended loads are but if they are in the neighborhood of that definitive proof load or higher I suspect that they were based on the loads that modern .410 shells are loaded with. For instance, I have a box of them which carries 11/16 oz of shot.

If it were me, I would stick with the recommended service load but then, I don't want to be holding a gun when it is shooting a proof load of any kind. :hmm: