Old English Shotgun question

[stilchen67]

I came across a lovely W C Scott SxS 12 gauge the other day--the serial number indicates the gun was made around 1910. It is in very good condition, fits perfect, I have three question--it take two and a half inch shells--1-can this gun be bored out to take two and three-quarter-- and 2--would it be safe to use modern shot shells even two and a half if I can find them. Lastly is there a chance this would be a Damascus barrel because of the time period it was built? Would greatly appreciate the experts wisdom- Thanks

[Badenoch]

I came across a lovely W C Scott SxS 12 gauge the other day--the serial number indicates the gun was made around 1910. It is in very good condition, fits perfect, I have three question--it take two and a half inch shells--1-can this gun be bored out to take two and three-quarter-- and 2--would it be safe to use modern shot shells even two and a half if I can find them. Lastly is there a chance this would be a Damascus barrel because of the time period it was built? Would greatly appreciate the experts wisdom- Thanks

Lengthening the chamber may thin the walls in the forcing cones to a possibly dangerous level and will take the gun out of proof. Without seeing the gun, measuring it and reading the proof marks it's difficult to know whether the gun is in sound condition and how it was proofed.

Get the gun into the hands of a gunsmith who knows British doubles. Nick Makinson would be where I'd go first.

http://www.nickmakinson.com/

[Muskyhunter]

Last fall I was grouse hunting and saw a very odd shell casing on the ground. Picked it up and it was a 2 1/2" empty. They obviously still make them. You are just not going to find them at Canadian Tire, etc.

It would be a great little grouse shell for sure.

[Stu]

Kent Gamebore make 2 1/2" shells specifically for these older English guns in 12, 16, and 20ga.. Any dealer selling Kent should be able to get it for you. You may have to buy it a flat at a time.

[Gun Nut]

If the gun has Damascus barrels you can usually see wrap lines. Its possibly a roll steel barrels which was the next step up from Damascus. They can take a bit more pressure, generally on the underside of the chambers they have been proof marked, which indicates if they been proven for black or nitro powders. Many of the older guns usually show only black powder proving. I have a couple and try to keep the pressure levels of my reloads around 6000 psi. As far as the 2 1/2 inch chambers are concern, it generally comes down to working with a bit shorter wad column. Plus you are less likely to load in a shell which the gun was design for. The term light load does not necessarily equate to the idea of it being a low pressure load. .

You don't stop hunting because you grow old. You grow old because you stop hunting.
- Gun Nut.