The L.C. Smith Collectors Association

The L.C. Smith Collectors Association
[ The L.C. Smith Collectors Association ]

Opening up the barrels

Posted by Larry doyle on March 11, 2019, 8:53 am

Have a 16 gauge field grade in great shape. Currently choked m/f. If I have them opened up does it decrease any future value?

Opening Up The Chokes Will Improve Performance

Posted by Jent P Mitchell III on March 11, 2019, 10:01 am, in reply to "Opening up the barrels "

Opening up the chokes on your 16 gauge LCS SXS will improve the performance of your 16 gauge with modern plastic shotgun shells and plastic wads .... You might want to lengthen the forcing cones of your 16 gauge chambers too ..... Is there a sharp ridge at the end of your chamber ??? If so then this LCS was most likely built to use the antique all metal shotgun shell case and has just about no forcing cone at all .... Good Shooting To You, Jent

Re: Opening Up The Chokes Will Improve Performance

Posted by Drew Hause on March 11, 2019, 10:34 am, in reply to "Opening Up The Chokes Will Improve Performance"

Jent's point regarding chambers cut for brass shells is well taken, but the earliest 16 gauge documented to date is SN 2126 finished April 25, 1896; well into the roll crimp paper shell era.

16g chambers were however 2 9/16" into the late 30s and lengthening the (short) forcing cone may be reasonable, esp. if using 2 3/4" loads; which should be limited to 1 oz. at less than 1200 fps per the Hunter Arms' hand tags.

Re: Opening Up The Chokes Will Improve Performance

Posted by Steve Arnett on March 11, 2019, 10:50 am, in reply to "Re: Opening Up The Chokes Will Improve Performance"

Drew, thank for the notice about the hang tag load warning. I had never heard that before. I have never fired anything heavier that that in mine, but for practical reasons: Anything heavier is too hard on my shoulder!

Following up on Jent's recommendation, I have had the chokes opened from M/F to IC/M, as well as lengthening the forcing cones on my 16 ga. This combination is very useful for sporting clays, as well as dove hunting. I have never regretted having this done.

Re: Opening up the barrels

Posted by Larry doyle on March 14, 2019, 10:48 pm, in reply to "Opening up the barrels "

Thanks for all of the great information! It’s a 1948 vintage in terrific shape. I will go ahead and have the choked opened up so it’s a bit more useful for grouse and woodcock even though it would probably knock down the collector value.

Re: Opening up the barrels

Posted by Bob Hamilton on March 15, 2019, 8:14 am, in reply to "Re: Opening up the barrels "

Larry - One last thought before you open the chokes on your vintage gun. RST and Polywad make low pressure spreader loads. The Polywad DoubleWide will open your pattern approximately two choke constrictions. The Polywad shells only come in 8 shot at 7/8 oz. so maybe not what you want for hunting. I have used the DoubleWides for clays and they work very nice. I believe the RST shells are also 7/8 oz. but have different shot sizes. Maybe something to try before you take metal off the gun.

Bob

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