Nutshel:
What constitutes "lighter loads" for a shotgun? I'm more interested in the perspective of the pressures it puts on the gun metal itself.
Back story if you want it:
I have in my possession my fathers side by side 12 Ga shotgun. Markings: "J. Stevens A. & T. Co" Chicopec Falls, Mass USA "Pats. Appl'd for" Model 325 on baseplate.
From my research:
Made 1905-1909 but since "Pats. Appl'd for" it was likely made before 1907 when the patent was approved.
All internal parts hand made. This makes sense when you see them. It looks like they were made by carving metal with a dremel.
A couple references to them being made for black powder ammo.
One guy online mentioned the Stevens catalog no 52 states the 325 had "high pressure" bbls for nitro powder.
My assumptions and thoughts:
I assume this means it is ahead of its time and designed for the new fangled smokeless powders?
Many suggestions that it should be OK with regular 12 Ga ammo but they all suggest not using the "heavy loads".
I can tell you that my father has shot various 12 rounds through it without knowing how old the gun is but I'm not willing to let past luck dictate future decisions.
Anyone want to chime in on any of the info above?
What constitutes "lighter loads" for a shotgun? I'm more interested in the perspective of the pressures it puts on the gun metal itself.
Back story if you want it:
I have in my possession my fathers side by side 12 Ga shotgun. Markings: "J. Stevens A. & T. Co" Chicopec Falls, Mass USA "Pats. Appl'd for" Model 325 on baseplate.
From my research:
Made 1905-1909 but since "Pats. Appl'd for" it was likely made before 1907 when the patent was approved.
All internal parts hand made. This makes sense when you see them. It looks like they were made by carving metal with a dremel.
A couple references to them being made for black powder ammo.
One guy online mentioned the Stevens catalog no 52 states the 325 had "high pressure" bbls for nitro powder.
My assumptions and thoughts:
I assume this means it is ahead of its time and designed for the new fangled smokeless powders?
Many suggestions that it should be OK with regular 12 Ga ammo but they all suggest not using the "heavy loads".
I can tell you that my father has shot various 12 rounds through it without knowing how old the gun is but I'm not willing to let past luck dictate future decisions.
Anyone want to chime in on any of the info above?