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There has been some speculation on these forums lately about the 'normal' gun-weight and charge-weights for bore-guns. Here's a start.
Feel free to add to the corporate knowledge if you can, but please, factual data and measurements backed up by references. Save the opinions and speculation for another thread!

Firstly, from Hollands' publications, including their 1910/12 Catalogue, and supplementary data on the Paradox in "A part of the Holland & Holland Collection, with a Brief History of the Company and Notes on Related Subjects, 1976':

12-BORE
Most common charge for a 12-bore rifle = 5 drams. Range is 3 to 9 drams.
The two 12-bore rifles shot during the 1883 Rifle Trials were 11 1/2 lbs and 13 1/2 lbs.
Most 5-dram 12-bore rifles weigh 10 to 11 lbs.
The 12-bore spherical ball weighs around 585 to 600 grains.
The most common weight for a 12-bore conical ball was 850 grains.
The 12-bore was considered to be the 'work-horse' with a wider range of weights and charges than either the 10-bore or the 8-bore.

10-BORE
Most common charge for a 10-bore rifle = 8 drams.
Gun weight varied between 12 1/2 and 14 lbs

8-BORE
Most common charge for an 8-bore rifle = 10 drams.
Most 8-bore rifles weighed 15 to 17.5 lbs.
Velocities around 1500 fps are quoted for conical bullets.
The 8-bore spherical ball weighs 875 to 895 grains.
The most common weight for an 8-bore conical ball was 1150 to 1250 grains

Actual 8-bore rifle ballistics:

Conical Ball Gun: Weight 17 lbs 8 oz; Barrel Length 28"; Projectile 1257 grains; Charge 10 drams;
MV 1500 fps; ME 6273 ftlbs; 100yd Velocity 1272 fps; 100yd Energy 4511 ftlbs.

Spherical Ball Gun: Weight 17 lbs 8 oz; Barrel Length 28"; Projectile 892 grains; Charge 10 drams;
MV 1654 fps; ME 5232 ftlbs; 100yd Velocity 1193 fps; 100yd Energy 2720 ftlbs.

The trajectory of both these rifles is virtually identical to 150 yds. Note the much higher retained energy of the conical bullet at 150 yds, despite starting 150 fps slower at the muzzle.

HOLLANDS' PARADOX GUNS
12-bore Paradox:- Gun weight 7 1/4 to 7 1/2 lbs; Fosbery bullet 670 to 735 grains; charge 3 drams, MV ~1000 fps
12-bore Magnum Paradox:- Gun weight 8 to 8 1/4 lbs; Fosbery solid 750 grains; charge 4 1/2 to 5 drams; MV ~1200 fps
12-bore 'Long Range' Nitro Paradox:- as for Magnum Paradox, but compound bullet and dram-equivalent nitro powder.
10-bore Nitro paradox:- Gun weight 12 1/2 to 13 lbs; Fosbery solid 875 grains; charge 8 drams equivalent nitro powder.
8-bore Paradox:- Gun weight ??; Fosbery or compound conical 1150 grains; charge 10 drams equivalent nitro powder.

Well, that's Hollands' stuff as far as I can determine, more to follow....!

BTW:
Tom Oppel's two 12-bore rifles mentioned in his article 'British Bore Rifles' specify as follows:
Baker Spherical ball gun, weight 10 lbs 4 oz, 5 dram load, twist rate ~1:100 inches
Richardson Conical ball gun, weight 10 lbs 6 oz, 5 dram load, twist rate between 1:50 and 1:60 inches

Hope this is of some interest...

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Marrakai
When the bull drops, the bullshit stops!
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www.marrakai-adventure.com.au

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