Opinions requested on smoothbore barrels.

[harrys]

I have a 19 gage SxS manton (around 1861 mfr). It has 34" tubes the muzzle walls are .060 avg and the rest of the barrels and breach are solid and stout, the barrels have minor pitting which has been minimizes via resurection instructions from VM Starr acticles. Both sides bear several birmingham proofs with one each side not Xed out. I've shot 65 gr ffg with 7/8 and 1oz of shot, All rust has been halted and eliminated and if held on one of the ramrod loops on the tip of the index finger and snapped with a finger on the barrel they ring like a bell which is supposed to be a sign of sound barrels on any double. What would some of you estimate its ability to handle
single ball loads and much powder could be used?

Harrys

 

[Many Klatch]

My 20 gauge guns usually handle 75 grains of powder well. I always use the same measure for both powder and shot, so you can probably handle more shot. Manton was a famous builder who built top quality guns. If it was mine I'd stoke it up and not worry about the barrels.

Many Klatch

 

[Mulebrain]

Many a fine shotguns were made with Damascus barrels. Damascus barrels are made by are strips of steal wrapped around a mandrel then mended together.

The problem with this, is that over time some rust can form in the mended areas, causing weak spots in the barrel.

If your sxs is not a Damascus fitted gun, I would still have it checked by a gunsmith familiar with this type of gun.

I love them old doubles!

 

[Mike Brooks]

I personally wouldn't shoot patched round ball through any of my damascus barreled shotguns. The barrels are so soft I'd be afraid of distorting them with a tight patch/ball combo. the difference between the point of impact between the to barrels may surprise you a bit too.
On the other hand I have no fears what so ever about shooting shot through them.

 

[boar]

My grandson has a 150yr old .14ga that was bought at Log Cabin Supply in Lodi that he killed his first deer with. He used 70grs 2ff and ball, shot deer tru heart at 70yrds,I was there. Log Cabin thinks it is English made. He can put two shots,R&L barrels in pie plate at 50yrds. This was last season, he was 12. He"s got me beat as I was 44 before I got my first deer ever and with a ML. Dilly

 

[paulvallandigham]

The ball for that gauge should weigh between 5/8 and 3/4 oz., so I don't see shooting a round ball as putting any more stress on the barrel than the shot loads you are currently using. 65-75 grains of powder should be sufficient for the Round Ball load, too.

I am concerned about what kind of accuracy you might get with a S x S . They are not known to be regulated for RB loads. You may be able to find one of the barrels to put a ball close to your POA at 35-50 yards, but I seriously doubt that you can get both barrels to throw a ball to the same POI at any distance.

Like others, here, I would recommend using this gun with shot, only, and just enjoy shooting the old gun. There are other guns you can buy for shooting PRB. I have a .62 cal fowler, that is overbored, and actually uses 19 gauge wads. I am using .600 RB in it with a thick patch, and 75 grains of FFg powder. Lube the patch well, and then lube the barrel after you seat the PRB on the powder, or on top of an OP wad, as I use. The OP wad gives me greater consistency in velocity, as does lubing the barrel.Lubing the barrel also protect the bore from rust during long hours in the field when hunting deer.

 

[Joel/Calgary]

The barrels are so soft I'd be afraid of distorting them with a tight patch/ball combo.

One could just use a bare ball, or a loosely patched ball, over ones normal O/P wadding, with the normal O/S wadding atop the ball. The stresses should not be significantly different from the corresponding shot load.

My personal preference is for patching just thick enough to keep the ball off the barrel walls and centered, but a bare ball was likely the norm in period, and many still shoot this way.

Joel

 

[harrys]

Thanks for all your inputs, based on responses I'll probably continue to use the gun for grouse and bunnies with shot. I have other BP's I can use for deer. BTW the fit on this gun is amazing,the stock dimensions almost make you shoot good, wish they made new guns to fit like that, they knew what they were doing when folks actually used guns for all their table meat.

Regards
harrys