First game season with my new Chapuis shotgun

[lochty]

In action yesterday. 1885 Holland and Holland Royal in 16g. A wonderful thing that I am slowly getting better at using.

 

[sh1kar]

Lovely. Back action?
S

 

[Pine Marten]

View attachment 241843In action yesterday. 1885 Holland and Holland Royal in 16g. A wonderful thing that I am slowly getting better at using.

Nice. I really like 16 bores. I have a 16 bore hammergun that I had restored last year but to be honest, I doubt I'll ever use it in anger much anymore. It's not just the expensive bismuth cartridges, it also just doesn't fit me. I'm waiting for the Home Office to say that 16/65 is an obsolete calibre so it can go on display. Not worth selling it, it's pretty much worthless. My drilling's smoothbore barrels are 16 bore so that may well still get some occasional use. Hoping standard power steel cartridges in 16 bore become available in the UK one of these days.

 

[Kersnow]

Cracking gun, super wood and a great specification - dare I ask a rough cost? Have just retired and a lump sum to spend...

 

[HistoricBore]

I agree with you about 30" barrels and a semi-pistol grip! My 1946 Webley 600 Special is just like that, and works a treat.

HB

 

[kenbro]

Resurrection

 

[enfieldspares]

Always worth reviving a good thread and I get a great deal of enjoyment from reading Pine Marten's narratives. It's nice to read and re-read and I look forward to the updates for this 2023-2024 Season.

 

[Heym SR20]

Nice. I really like 16 bores. I have a 16 bore hammergun that I had restored last year but to be honest, I doubt I'll ever use it in anger much anymore. It's not just the expensive bismuth cartridges, it also just doesn't fit me. I'm waiting for the Home Office to say that 16/65 is an obsolete calibre so it can go on display. Not worth selling it, it's pretty much worthless. My drilling's smoothbore barrels are 16 bore so that may well still get some occasional use. Hoping standard power steel cartridges in 16 bore become available in the UK one of these days.

I also like 16’s. Combination gun is 16, and I am hopefully getting a 16 bore side by side. 16 bore standard steel now being made

Supreme Steel 16Ga | Shotgun Cartridges Delivered Nationwide

Order Supreme Steel 16Ga online and have them delivered nationwide | Next day delivery where possible

www.justcartridges.com

 

[Pine Marten]

I also like 16’s. Combination gun is 16, and I am hopefully getting a 16 bore side by side. 16 bore standard steel now being made

Supreme Steel 16Ga | Shotgun Cartridges Delivered Nationwide

Order Supreme Steel 16Ga online and have them delivered nationwide | Next day delivery where possible

www.justcartridges.com

Yes, I know someone who uses it on out shoot and doesn't like it. He's the one who can actually shoot so I pay attention... That said what makes me hesitate is the idea of having the chokes opened out on a drilling. Presumably it will mess up the delicate harmonics of the rifle barrel. But also, I've had a bad experience with having work done on my previous one, after which it was sent to the Birmingham Proof House, failed, and had to be scrapped. I'm not doing anything that requires a gun to go anywhere near the Prood House again.

 

[Heym SR20]

Yes, I know someone who uses it on out shoot and doesn't like it. He's the one who can actually shoot so I pay attention... That said what makes me hesitate is the idea of having the chokes opened out on a drilling. Presumably it will mess up the delicate harmonics of the rifle barrel. But also, I've had a bad experience with having work done on my previous one, after which it was sent to the Birmingham Proof House, failed, and had to be scrapped. I'm not doing anything that requires a gun to go anywhere near the Prood House again.

I have tried the 12 bore version, and also used the Eley version - I really find no difference in terms of killing power compared to lead. And happily using them in old guns - which is what they are designed for.

Absolutely no need to go anywhere near the proof house. These cartridges are designed for guns with a standard nitro proof.

 

[Pine Marten]

I have tried the 12 bore version, and also used the Eley version - I really find no difference in terms of killing power compared to lead. And happily using them in old guns - which is what they are designed for.

Absolutely no need to go anywhere near the proof house. These cartridges are designed for guns with a standard nitro proof.

I've just spotted these, which now have a biodegradable wad.

High Pheasant Steel Hydrowad 16 | Game & Hunting | Hull Cartridge

An effective lead free load for high flyers. Ultimate performance for ntiro-proofed guns. Fast and smooth with moderate recoil.

www.hullcartridge.co.uk

I do wonder whether that 1/2 choke guidance is a conservative estimate to be safe or not.

 

[Heym SR20]

I've just spotted these, which now have a biodegradable wad.

High Pheasant Steel Hydrowad 16 | Game & Hunting | Hull Cartridge

An effective lead free load for high flyers. Ultimate performance for ntiro-proofed guns. Fast and smooth with moderate recoil.

www.hullcartridge.co.uk

I do wonder whether that 1/2 choke guidance is a conservative estimate to be safe or not.

I think it is a conservative estimate on the basis that manufacturers want to be conservative. I believe our Danish friends just put steel through any old gun.

Steel though doesn’t need tight chokes to get a decent pattern. Choke was invented to overcome failings of soft lead which deforms as it goes down the barrel. Adding antimony to lead makes lead shot harder, but considerably more expensive. Shot cups / plastic wads also tighten up patterns as prevents shot being damaged.

1/2 choke with steel gives you full choke pattern density.

And excellent that there is now a good 16 bore load with a Hydrowad. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[Pine Marten]

I think it is a conservative estimate on the basis that manufacturers want to be conservative. I believe our Danish friends just put steel through any old gun.

Steel though doesn’t need tight chokes to get a decent pattern. Choke was invented to overcome failings of soft lead which deforms as it goes down the barrel. Adding antimony to lead makes lead shot harder, but considerably more expensive. Shot cups / plastic wads also tighten up patterns as prevents shot being damaged.

1/2 choke with steel gives you full choke pattern density.

And excellent that there is now a good 16 bore load with a Hydrowad. Thanks for pointing that out.

Just Cartridges only have one slab left though!

 

[Heym SR20]

Just Cartridges only have one slab left though!

No worries - just had a detailed look - they 2 3/4” cartridges and mine has a 2 1/2” chamber.

I have a slab of 16 Supreme Steel 2 1/2” for the time being. Not ideal as they are a plastic wad, but the cartridge makers are definitely turning attention to the more refined bores and suspect not long before there are steel hydrowad cartridges in 2 1/2” length in 16 and 28 bore before too long.