16ga.com ~ View topic

Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 17 Location: So Cal

Hello and thanks in advance for this site and all the great information here.

Last week on a whim I traded a SKB 585 20ga (plus some cash) for a Remington 1900 in 16ga. The gun looks like it just came from the factory, which after reading on this site leads me to believe that it must be refinished. It has 28” barrels, choked full/full and has a very comfortable slender Prince of Wales stock and the case colors look great.

Of course I start researching after I make the deal and thankfully I found you all. Unfortunately all the information I have been pouring over the last couple days has me confused and unsure about the new gun. I have a few questions.

I had heard about the efficiency of the 16ga, so when I shouldered the gun and it felt so good I instantly had visions of crushing birds. I started searching for information on opening up the chokes and the best factory loads and I found a lot more. Ignorantly I had no idea that there were so many concerns with shooting modern ammunition in a gun that was built in 1903. I have no idea what it is chambered for or what pressure means or velocity and all the sudden I am looking at reloading charts and searching for low pressure loads.

Needless to say I am overwhelmed, what did I get myself into? I want to use the gun at the range (once a week) and for hunting locally for upland game. Will the gun do the job? Should I just start with ammunition from Polywad or RST? (Any others?) Do I have to start reloading? Should I avoid other factory loads? Should I beg for the SKB back?

Thanks in advance and I apologize for being so clueless.

Cheers
John

Welcome to the Society John, and to the frequently...uh...bumby...road we've all experienced messing with these great old guns. Destination #1 need to be to a doublegun specialist smith to measure the chambers, chokes, check the bores for evidence of previous honing or deep pitting, the integrity of the action, and the head of the stock for oil soaked crumbling wood or cracks. Let us know what part of the country you're from and we might be able to make some suggestions. I assume this is a steel barreled gun and not damascus? The KD (lowest) grades were usually Twist.
Don't despair, with a bit of time and enough $ Rolling Eyes

, you'll be shooting RSTs in no time Cool

Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 17 Location: So Cal

Thanks much for the response.

The gun was going straight to the gunsmith however he has been called out of town for a family emergency.

I made the trade at a reputable shop who deals in collectable firearms. The gun locks up tight and has steel barrels with mirror bores. It is chambered in 2 9/16" and honestly looks like it has never been fired. The stock is in perfect condition with its only flaw being a little short.

I would post pictures but I don’t have the gun yet.

I live in southern California and usually deal with Bolsa Gunsmith in Westminster. I there is someone else anyone could recommend for double guns I would appreciate it.

Joined: 18 Mar 2007 Posts: 280 Location: Southern Ohio

John:: You'll find a lot of numbers and symbols in the inside of the Remington, post them all here, as well as a photo, if you can and we'll try to educate you on all things Remington SxS... MDC

Well, you made the correct first turn on the road Wink

Another highly regarded doublegun smith is Freddie Brunner in Escondido, 760-738-8413.
Your next purchase needs to be Charles Semmers' book:
http://www.amazon.com/Remington-Double-Shotguns-Charles-Semmer/dp/B000H7ODNQ/ref=sr_1_1/104-8892689-8905523?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1186004878&sr=1-1
Did you get the gun at Ivory Beads?
And tell us about your pups? Cool

Joined: 18 Mar 2007 Posts: 280 Location: Southern Ohio

Rev: I don't think the 1900 was ever available with Twist Steel barrels The KD was a non ejector, with Damascus barrels, The KED was the same w/ejectors/ The K was am non ejector, with Remington Ordinance Steel barrels and the KE was the same w/ejectors.. This is what I've always thought, feel free to make a correction.. I'm still learning, after fooling with things SxS, for 60 years.. MDC

Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 17 Location: So Cal

Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 17 Location: So Cal

Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 17 Location: So Cal

MD: I'm extremely not a Remington expert, and don't have Semmer's book on hand. There are several KD's on gunbroker, some with steel and some clearly with damascus brls. This might be twist however
http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=77305539
Per http://www.remington.com/library/history/firearm_models/shotguns/model_1900.asp the KDs were 'Two Stripe Damascus'

Joined: 18 Mar 2007 Posts: 280 Location: Southern Ohio

Rev.. I agree with the Remington site, KD is Damascus and not Twist. I think under close , scrutiny the one on Gunbroker is also Damascus , possibly a reblue that covers the pattern.. MDC

Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 17 Location: So Cal

Once again thank you all for the input.

I have ordered the book... $60 kind of hurt but hopefully I can get educated about my gun.

I have ordered a case of shells from Polywad. I got the ones for vintage guns with the scatter pattern. Also kind of spendy but hopefuly the hulls are good for reloading when and if I get into that.

I will revive the post when I get the gun next Tuesday with some photos.

Cheers

John

Joined: 18 Mar 2007 Posts: 280 Location: Southern Ohio

John: yo asked the difference between th 1900 and the 1894. The 1900s are in the 300,000 serial range and the 1894s are in the 100,000 range. The 1894 has an Anson push rod type of forend release and the 1900 is a friction release. the 1894 has a bird beak inset on thebutt plate, hwever this is sometimes found on 1900s. There is only one grade in the 1900 and the 1894 had at least 6 grades.. The 1894, High grades have some of the best engraving ever put on an American SxS.. I Kow you'll enjoy the book, I don't have it, but I've read most of it thru The Double Gun Journal.. MDC

Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 17 Location: So Cal

Thanks for the info. Good stuff. serial number is 342*** so it is indeed a 1900.

JL

What have you done? You have made a great first 16 purchase, that's what! 1900's have a reputation as being very stout boxlocks, and are an underappreciated value in my opinion. I think you have made a great choice for your first 16. 1900 16's are fairly rare in good condition too, at least in my searching around. My Lefever 16, made in 1904-5, also has flawless steel barrels, is tight as a drum, and I regularly shoot low pressure factory loads in it with no problems whatsoever. Assuming the smith says the gun is ok, which it sounds like it is, I can't imagine why shooting factory loads about 8-9k psi or under would be a problem for it. I would stay away from Remingtons though. They're pretty hot. And keep in mind, a low pressure load shot in hot weather may increase pressure dramatically. The low pressure reloading group has a chart of factory load pressures.

Just my 2 cents. Enjoy!