modern shell in old gun

[Big Friend Ten (BFT)]

Modern factory loads, be they "high brass" or "low brass" may very well be close to the SAAMI maximum pressure which for a 12 gauge 2 & 3/4" or 3" is 11,500 PSI. This is especially true with the promotional shells sold at Wall Mart and other such retailers. They usually come priced at 100 rounds for about $22. The high pressure may very well in time loosen the gun's action.

Recoil is different than pressure and if high will split the head of an old stock. Simply recoil involves the total weight of the shot and shot cup, weight of the powder, velocity all pushing against the weight of the gun. For example, ammunition may have a small payload, i.e. 7/8 oz in a 12 gauge, but be loaded with whatever powder is cheapest for the manufacturer to load. The recoil may be light but inside the barrel the pressure may be high. Did you ever see the pressure listed on the shell box?

High brass loads with their heavy payloads of 1 1/4 oz to 1 1/2 oz or more shot will hammer your 100+ year old wood! That stated, if your Parker is in good shape and you shoot a dozen or so heavy pheasant loads the stock will probably survive. If you shoot many boxes of those loads the stock will likely split at the head. A dark, oil soaked stock head is likely to split under heavy recoil. Take a look at guns on line and notice that the old, well used Parkers have stock heads that are almost black. They are like a sponge of oil. The oil softens the wood. Split stocks are why we see old Parkers with the bolt through the head of the stock. Oh boy! Those guns were used and if only they could tell us of their adventures!

Personally I hand load 6000 PSI 7/8 oz loads for clay targets (weekly use) but will stuff 1 3/8 factory loads into a 2 & 3/4" #2 frame Parker in good condition for hunting without hesitation.

Concerning buckshot, it may cause a problem when passing through a tightly constricted barrel such as a full choke. Many Parkers were constricted at .040" which delivered 70% full choke patterns in those years before plastic shot cups and hardened "magnum" shot were available. A full choke barrel of recent manufacture is likely bored with .030" constriction.

If you want to shoot buckshot through those 107 years old Parker barrels you should measure the barrel wall thickness and choke constriction. You should also measure the petals of ammunition's shot cup. The petal thickness should be at least as thick as the barrel constriction. This will provide a cushion of twice the amount of the barrel constriction (choke) so that the buckshot may pass through the "choke" without splitting the barrel! Yes, there is a risk in shooting any very large shot through old, low carbon barrels.

If you do not have the tools and/or knowledge to measure your barrels and the petals of a shot cup then please don't shoot buckshot through your old Parker. This may seem overly cautious but better safe than sorry!

Go out and shoot your old Parker!

Mark


PS: Below are SAAMI maximum pressures

10 gauge 11,000 (all)
12 gauge 11,5000 (all but 3 1/2" mag)
12 gauge 3 1/2" mag 14,000
16 gauge 11,500 (all)
20 Gauge 12,000 (all)
28 gauge 12,500 (all)
.410 Bore 2 1/2" 12,500
.410 Bore 3" 13,500