Parker 3 inch guns

[Bill Murphy]

This is a test that is easily performed if the guns are available. Years ago, I did a partial comparison, but quit when I shot my old standard Sterlingworth with 1 1/4 ounces of soft lead fours at 40 and 60 yards. The patterns were so tight and even that I stopped my comparison then. I knew in my own mind that no other gun could possibly duplicate those 60 yard patterns. I still have those pattern sheets filed away, to be viewed if lead ever "comes back". I don't have the gun, but I do have a few of the shells left. I guess it would be interesting to pattern a Super Fox with the remaining shells for comparison. As I recall, the Sterlingworth had standard bores and chokes in the low to mid forties. I have never patterned my 3" Model 21s, but I don't expect similar results since the Winchester chokes are in the mid to high thirties, not an optimum choke for extremely tight patterns at long range. In my opinion, forty yard pattern testing is useless if long range shooting is the preferred use of the gun and load. I remember reading the Crossman comments, but don't know how to find the reference material.