New double barrel shotgun questions and loads?

[prairie dog]

Hey guys I have a new toy and need some advice / information / help please.



This is a Navy Arms sxs percussion shotgun.  It is marked Navy Arms Ridgefield NJ and Pietta.

It says it's 12 gauge.  The papers I got with it says the barrels are IC / Mod.

I measured the inside bore at the muzzle and got .751 on the left barrel and . 749 on the right?  This seems odd to me.

I need some advice on loads as well as correct sizes of wards and cards for this gun.  Anyone have any experience with one of these shotguns?

[Feltwad]

Hi Steve

I have shot one of these for several decades here in the UK , for a good load at both game and clays I go for a volume load of 2.3/4 drms of medium grain powder a 12 gauge card wad then 1.1/8 oz  of shot with a over shot wad .For game I use 5 or 6 shot and for clays 7 or 8.
Feltwad
A Flint Lock will not secure a chicken house door

[Bison Horn]

Wow pd that looks sharp. Frank would love that one. Coyotes are out and howling. BH

[prairie dog]

I bought it from Frank.

How's everything down at the Southwestern?

[Buzzard]

Prarie dog; if my failing memory serves, .75 is a 10ga, .72 is 12ga. Does a patch w/jag feel equal resistance all the way down the bore? If so, i believe you have yourself a 10bore. This needs more research!!

[Feltwad]

Buzzard is correct some were made in 10 gauge although 12 was the most popular here in the UK

Feltwad
A Flint Lock wil not secure a chicken hose door

[prairie dog]

All questions got answered today when I took the gun out to the pattern boards.  It's definitely 12 gauge, the barrels patterned IC and Mod and the gun loves 70 grains FF with one and an eight ounces of #9 shot.  The gun fits, points right where I'm looking, and both barrels hit right where I aim.  I couldn't be happier.  Next trip will be to the skeet range.  

[Bison Horn]

PD I wonder does Bull have a place up there to shoot clays? I guess he' ll answer when he sees this. BH

[Feltwad]

I would also try shot size 7 and 8 for skeet it may be better than 9
Good Luck
Feltwad
A Flint Lock will not secure a chicken house door

[prairie dog]

PD I wonder does Bull have a place up there to shoot clays? I guess he' ll answer when he sees this. BH

We should ask him.  I could bring one if he wants.

[prairie dog]

I would also try shot size 7 and 8 for skeet it may be better than 9
Good Luck
Feltwad
A Flint Lock will not secure a chicken house door

I used to shoot in skeet leagues with modern guns.  Broke many targets with #9 shot.  I like 7 1/2 and 8 shot better for trap.

[Riley/MN]

I have the exact same gun. I work up a new turkey load for it every year, but haven't killed a turkey yet....

The previous owner had spray-painted it camo....

[Geezer in NH]

Muzzle only measurements do not give the actual chokes. To measure the chokes you will need actual bore size and the choke.

Devices are available from Brownell's and gunsmiths that own the tools to do so

[No Deer]

I have one, Navy Arms, Pietta 12 ga.  Have taken a few turkeys with it, including this tom last spring.  I use a stouter load though, 85 gr. 3f, 1 1/4 oz. #5s was bad medicine for this turkey.

[Riley/MN]

I have one, Navy Arms, Pietta 12 ga.  Have taken a few turkeys with it, including this tom last spring.  I use a stouter load though, 85 gr. 3f, 1 1/4 oz. #5s was bad medicine for this turkey.