1906 PSI for 16ga loads?

[Dale Medders]

I have several Damascus barreled 12ga SXS's I have always loaded my shells at 5800 psi.
I have recently acquired a 16ga Parker GH made in 1906 with Damascus barrels.

My pet load for my current steel barreled 16ga SXS's develops 9700 psi.
probably a bit too high for the Damascus gun.

It seems a lot of 16ga loads of current produce a lot more pressure than say 12 ga loads.

In 1906 what psi were 16 ga shells developing?
I use Rem SP hulls and I have a lot of 700X powder and it's damn hard to find any lower pressure loads. I am open to using another powder.
Yes, I have inquired on the 16 ga low pressure group and have no answers yet.
I can't seem to get an organized spread sheet from them as of yet.
Thank you,

[Opening Day]

Go over to the 16gauge.com board. The guys over there can give you some good reloading recipes.

[Garth Gustafson]

Dale,
An option is to use commercially available shells from RST or Polywad. Here are 16 ga pressure loads from RST for their "Best Grade" 2-1/2" shells,

16 ga 2 1/2" Lite 1oz- 7000 Psi
16 ga 2 1/2" Spreader Lite 1 oz- 6500 Psi
16 ga 2 1/2" Falcon Lite 7/8 oz - 5800 Psi
16 ga 2 1/2" Ultra Lite 3/4 oz - 4800 Psi
The paper loads will be similar to their plastic counterparts but with 100-200 lower PSi's

[Drew Hause]

The gun was designed to shoot 2 9/16” shells with a service load of 1 oz. shot at 2 1/2 Dr. Eq. (1165 fps) with a pressure of Bulk Smokeless about 7000 psi; Dense 500-1000 psi higher. Maximum load was 1 oz. shot with 2 3/4 Dr. Eq. (1220 fps) at about 8500 psi with Bulk Smokeless; Dense very close to modern pressures.
Parker cut the chambers slightly short for use with roll crimp shells. What is the chamber length now?
Using 2 3/4" shells in a 2 1/2" chamber will raise the pressure 200 – 1200 psi
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...vwLYc-kGA/edit

What load to use cannot be answered without knowing the wall thickness at the end of the chamber, 3”, 6”, 9”, 12" and 16".

[Phil C]

Garth I have purchased RST shells in the past. Mainly 28 and 20 gauge. Pressure information is not listed. Can you get this information on the different shells if you call them?

[Garth Gustafson]

Phil,
Yes, that's how I got the information.
Cheers!

[Jerry VanHorn]

I have a GH 16 Damascus and a 16 top lever hammer. I called RST and talked with them them about loads. Their choice was the 16 Ultra Lite..3/4..Worked for me..

[Roundsworth]

The RST 3/4 ounce 16 gauge load works just fine for Ruffed Grouse with 7-1/2 shot. Good Luck!

[Harold Pickens]

If you are using Reminton hulls, 15.5 gr 20/28 with a DR16 wad and 7/8 oz lead makes a nice soft shooting load around 6000 psi and 1150 fps.

[Dale Medders]

Thanks Harold I did find that load and ordered some DR 16 wads from Gamaliel.