As a neophyte to the vintage arms field, I need some help.
I recently acquired a nice (IMHO) model 1889 and would love to shoot it.
I realize that modern smokeless ammo is too much for these old guns and since I don't reload shotgun shells yet, I was wondering if there are commercially available rounds that would serve. I have noticed in one catalog i have that GOEX black powder shotgun shells are available. Though loaded for the cowboy action crowd, would they be suitable and/or are there others?
Any help would be appreciated.
Model 1889
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EOE
Thanks Jay,
Did just that, and got an interesting perspective. The people I talked to specialize in restoration work and the opinion they expressed was that it was safe to shoot with standard (non-magnum) loads. Something about dram equivalent loading and max pressures.
Any other thoughts would be appreciated.
Did just that, and got an interesting perspective. The people I talked to specialize in restoration work and the opinion they expressed was that it was safe to shoot with standard (non-magnum) loads. Something about dram equivalent loading and max pressures.
Any other thoughts would be appreciated.
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Jay Huber
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Jay Huber
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Ridgerunner
powder for 1889 shotgun
EOE
According to a recent article in the DGJ, all the Reminton 1889 shotguns were nitro proved when made. If the barrels are found to be sound by a competent gunsmith, smokeless loads should not damage them. I have a circa 1895 model 1889 that I currently have dismantled for cleaning. I intend to shoot low pressure 1oz loads at 1100-1150 fps using IMR 7625 and or PB. My barrels are lightly pitted end to end but seem very stout and sound and ring like a church bell.
According to a recent article in the DGJ, all the Reminton 1889 shotguns were nitro proved when made. If the barrels are found to be sound by a competent gunsmith, smokeless loads should not damage them. I have a circa 1895 model 1889 that I currently have dismantled for cleaning. I intend to shoot low pressure 1oz loads at 1100-1150 fps using IMR 7625 and or PB. My barrels are lightly pitted end to end but seem very stout and sound and ring like a church bell.
I shoot either IMR PB or Solo 1000 in my reloads . You'd almost have to reload to keep pressures down under 7000 PSI , what most feel is safe in damascus barrel guns . As Richard said , Sherman Bell has shown through testing that damascus barrels are safe , but with higher pressure loads you may " shoot the action loose". The gun will come " off center ' . Welcome to shooting these fine old guns as they were intended to . I have a 1889 and a 1873 I shoot nitro loads in , my loads are in the 6500PSI range . Paul
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Ridgerunner
1889 Remington hammer gun
Thank you for the support Paul. It seems we have a long steep road to educate folks on how good these damascus guns can be. The 1889 has the advantage over many in having been smokeless proved when made. I'm not sure any other guns of that period got the same.
[/b]EOE: You should listen to Mr. Harms advice. He is a very experienced vintage shotgun shooter. Theoretically you should be able to shoot any load in that gun that you might shoot in similar aged solid steel barreled gun, but it doesn't seem prudent to most of us. I'm not convinced the latch mechanism on the Remington will hold up to such a pounding. While mine still locks up tight, it doesn't lock up like a good Parker. I will never shoot anything but light to moderate loads in it of certainly no more than 8000psi and likely never over 6500. Why would I? It's just as easy to reload a low P load as a high P and the velocity is the same. That's the beauty of reloading. I hope you figure yours out and shoot the bejeezus out of it. Hammer guns are very addicting. I now want one in every gauge. So, proceed with caution; make sure your tubes are sound, even if you have to send them off to someone like Kirk Merrington or Paul Orlen for a good inspection, but do forget that notion that the damascus barrels are all weak. It just isn't true.
[/b]EOE: You should listen to Mr. Harms advice. He is a very experienced vintage shotgun shooter. Theoretically you should be able to shoot any load in that gun that you might shoot in similar aged solid steel barreled gun, but it doesn't seem prudent to most of us. I'm not convinced the latch mechanism on the Remington will hold up to such a pounding. While mine still locks up tight, it doesn't lock up like a good Parker. I will never shoot anything but light to moderate loads in it of certainly no more than 8000psi and likely never over 6500. Why would I? It's just as easy to reload a low P load as a high P and the velocity is the same. That's the beauty of reloading. I hope you figure yours out and shoot the bejeezus out of it. Hammer guns are very addicting. I now want one in every gauge. So, proceed with caution; make sure your tubes are sound, even if you have to send them off to someone like Kirk Merrington or Paul Orlen for a good inspection, but do forget that notion that the damascus barrels are all weak. It just isn't true.