Tinker:
The Ingram does balance and swing really well. I find that I very much like the 28” barrels and about 8-9 lb weight of the vintage .450’s and .500’s, they hang just so.......and to me look more elegant than a shorter barrel.

Jens,
“....... ...or in reality the velocities given in the books of the 1890s were really not the correct velocities?.......”

My suspicion would be that, just like advertising today, the original velocity claims were “enhanced” a bit (or rounded up).

I have a few sources (Winfer is one) that mention 30” barrels were the standard for test in the Victorian/Edwardian era, the extra length over 26” or 28” could account for some the higher velocity claims.

Even vintage Nitro Express rifles often regulate nicely at lower speeds than claimed by Kynoch/Eley.

With these wonderful old rifles so much is now just mystery that is lost to the mists of time.
- Mike