Oct 3, 2025 5 min read

There are few instances when I can consider myself ahead of the fashion curve but regarding matters of vintage side by side shotguns I got on board earlier than most. Vintage or classic American side by side shotguns such as Ithaca, Fox Sterlingworth, Parker, L.C. Smith,and a host of others too numerous to list are getting a second life thanks to nostalgics like me. They became a passion early on. I used to borrow my brother’s Ithaca SKB double off the rack for pheasant hunts when I was in my teens. They were a lot like girls at that same age. I didn’t understand them but I knew I liked them. That was my awakening, at least for the shotgun part anyways.

More recently, we are seeing a resurgence of these classic fowling pieces in the pheasant and dove fields as well as in grouse and woodcock coverts. Made in the early twentieth century on up through the 1940’s these classics continue to render good service through these modern times but a few special considerations must be taken. The following items might be helpful if you’re thinking about reviving an old double.

For the purposes of this column, I am only discussing modern fluid steel barrels and not Damascus barrels. I hear from some camps that Damascus steel is fine with modern smokeless powder loads but I do not subscribe to that theory. I feel that shooting modern loads through a Damascus barrel is risky at best and asking for trouble. Damascus steel is inherently weaker when it comes to barrel strength due to the folding process by which it is made. I am not willing to risk my fingers and eyeballs in that regard, so for the sake of our discussion,let’s remove Damascus steel from the equation.

First off, if you are planning to shoot an older piece, have it checked out by a qualified gunsmith. Make sure that it is deemed safe before sending rounds down range. A gunsmith will inspect the lock up, chamber length, barrel condition by looking for dents or pitting, any cracks in the stock and give a gun the requisite once over.

Now, let’s talk about some things we can do to continue enjoying these classic shooters for the coming generations. I learned some of this information the hard way shooting more than a few rounds of higher pressure loads through my favorite pieces risking some inherently unnecessary damage. My gun mechanic, Mario, is quick to remind me that you do not need elephant loads to bring down a 20 ounce ruffed grouse. In my younger days, I questioned this logic insisting that bigger loads must be superior for hunting purposes. This has proven quite the opposite. I have wised up under Mario’s tutelage and managed to keep from further damaging my favorite side by side through a common sense approach. Pressure or more correctly, lower pressure may be our biggest ally when safeguarding the condition of older shotguns while sacrificing little in the way of performance. In my humble opinion, the item to pay the most attention to when it comes to choosing a load for your vintage shooter is selecting a lower pressure load. This is definitely not the final word on older shotguns, but there are plenty of low pressure loads out there to choose from, especially if you are handloading. Talking twelve gauges, I try to keep pressures in my older side by sides under 10,000 psi (pounds per square inch.) A load of 7,100 psi is my pet load for my favorite twelve gauge and I believe has contributed to its longevity. As for sub gauges, pressures tend to increase, which compounds the problem of stress on the smaller frames that sixteen, twenty, twenty-eight gauge and .410’s are built upon. When in doubt, seek the lower pressure loads. One ounce shot loads have served me well in my twelve gauges while a ⅞ ounce payload load in a twenty gauge performs similarly well, respectively, thus resulting in somewhat lower psi. Make sure the load recipes you are choosing are manufacturer approved and listed on their reloading sites. Do not trust loads that have not been verified. “A friend told me” is not good enough.

Not a hand loader? Help awaits in the form of RST shells. This company makes specific cartridges for your low pressure needs creating shells meant specifically for older guns. Be advised, they are not cheap. You can also contact the major brand shell producers and ask for a recommendation as to their low pressure guidelines. You may pick up some real expertise if you get the right person on the other end. Don’t be afraid to ask.

Additionally, patterning your shotgun becomes necessary to ensure a proper shot pattern. I like to pattern at twenty-five yards because most of the game I hunt is taken within that range. You may choose a different distance according to your needs. Once you have achieved a pattern with ample coverage, give it a try in the field. You may be surprised at the positive results awaiting you.

Lastly, birds of a feather flock together. Once you enter the brotherhood and begin meeting some likeminded folks who enjoy their classic side by sides, you will be inundated with all things vintage gun related and can harness their expertise.

Dave Bates writes a weekly outdoors column for the Observer-Reporter. He can be reached at alphaomegashootingsolutions@gmail.com