Anyone know what this means? For an 1885 Damascus 10ga 2 7/8" chamber

[340Wby-4-everything]

Anyone know what this means? rs17-4- equiv 4 1/4-1 1/4-4 for shot shells Trying to find shells for an 1885 Damascus 10ga & these may work, if not too hot. Or, if someone can tell me what exactly that equiv statement means?

 

[Orange Dust]

Anyone know what this means? rs17-4- equiv 4 1/4-1 1/4-4 for shot shells Trying to find shells for an 1885 Damascus 10ga & these may work, if not too hot. Or, if someone can tell me what exactly that equiv statement means?

View attachment 486285

Your gun was proofed for black powder. Most likely unsafe to shoot now even with black due to the welds breaking down in the barrels. I would have it checked by someone who knows what they are doing, and then I don't think I would shoot it.

 

[3chester]

4-1/4 Dram equivalent is the speed the 1-1/4 oz of shot will be going , if it had 4-1/4 Drams of black powder behind it, in that 10 ga shell. There was a guy in the Double Gun Journal who did a multiple quarter issues, on those old 10 ga. Damascus doubles, Sherman Bell was the guy, pretty sure.

 

[Orange Dust]

4-1/4 Dram equivalent is the speed the 1-1/4 oz of shot will be going , if it had 4-1/4 Drams of black powder behind it, in that 10 ga shell. There was a guy in the Double Gun Journal who did a multiple quarter issues, on those old 10 ga. Damascus doubles, Sherman Bell was the guy, pretty sure.

Correct, they equal speed, but NOT pressure.

 

[3chester]

That was a typical 10ga load from 1900's thru 1950's. They made a bit more serious goose gun when Western added the 3-1/2 inch 10ga Magnum in the 30's.

 

[340Wby-4-everything]

Thanks all. Had the gun checked a few yrs back, all good, but I'll pass on them then. I have RST shells and old BlkPowder Ballistics Products shells loaded light and it shoots them very well. Turkeys don't care if they get shot by modern powder propelled pellets or black powder propelled.