Backyard Proof House Vol. II

[Dave Fuller]

I finally got out to test fire a couple of 10ga Parkers that I have been wanting to "remotely" fire before shooting them off-hand. We used a tire and a string as advised in "Backyard Proof House Vol. I" and it worked quite well. We shot an 1892 3-frame 10 ga hammergun (RST 2-7/8) and a 1925 3-frame hammerless that has been hogged out to 3-1/2 (Winchester 3-1/2 turkey loads). Results were favorable, 5 rounds through each barrel, no sign of dammage, bore mic and inspection show no sign of bulging, wood is fine. Hammergun will be turkey hunting in a couple of weeks with RST 2-7/8' loads, hogged out PH will be in the blind next fall. I am really digging my first hammergun, very excited about hunting with it.

[Destry L. Hoffard]

Dave,

The voice of experience says stick with 2 ounce loads in that 3 1/2 inch gun. A #3 frame just isn't quite heavy enough for the 2 1/4 ounce stuff, it will kick your head off and I've had the headaches to prove it.

Did you get the wall thickness measured at the chamber heads? If the barrel taper is strong there's a chance they might be a little thin with that kind of chamber extension.

These 10 gauge Parkers are murder on ducks and geese, you'll enjoy using it in the blind I guarantee.


Destry

[Austin W Hogan]

Elmer Keith was a heavy load fan, but he speaks quite glowingly of the traditional 1 1/4 ounce ten ga load in his book. Although you may not see any metal problems with heavier loads, watch for a little chip forming in the wrist of the stock behind the top tang of the frame, or a widening of the inlet gap around the tang.
Is your 3 frame gun stamped NH or PH on the water table?

Best, Austin

[Richard Flanders]

I shoot 1-1/4oz loads in my 10ga hammer gun for ducks and geese. Ask Destry how effective they are when I do my part. Recoil in the heavy gun is no problem at all. You'll quickly learn to love your 10ga Dave.....guaranteed!

[Dave Fuller]

The Hammerless gun is stamped PH on the water table. Kearcher examined it, I can't remember the min WT but he thought it would be fine. He also advised the use of the lighter load. I'll stick with 2oz and under for waterfowling with this one. As for the hammergun, I thought I'd order up some 1-1/4 oz RSTs. What fun shooting the hammergun (after the experiment we shot a few offhand). How am I going to live with just this one 0 grade gun???

[Dean Romig]

You're not!

(voice of experience)

[Dave Fuller]

Far be it from me to argue with the voice of experience... something in 12 would a nice addition wouldn't it?

[scott kittredge]

I shoot 1-1/4oz loads in my 10ga hammer gun for ducks and geese. Ask Destry how effective they are when I do my part. Recoil in the heavy gun is no problem at all. You'll quickly learn to love your 10ga Dave.....guaranteed!

YES, YOU WILL LOVE YOUR 10 :bowdown: scott

[Dave Fuller]

Already do... 4 weeks till Turkey camp!

[Dave Suponski]

Dave,Four weeks till turkey camp huh? You still got time to get a 12 bore hammergun to go with that nice 10! Just tryin to help ya out buddy.....:rolleyes:

[Dave Fuller]

I fear that I'll die poor, but well armed.

[Richard Flanders]

It's the only way to go Dave.... I'm thinking that my 32" 1883 twist bbled Full/Fuller hammer gun would make an awesome turkey gun.

[Dave Fuller]

Rich - I hope to report on the effectiveness of said gun for gobblers in short order... that is if I don't spook a Tom clicking back the hammers! I have not been this excited about hunting with a gun since I bought my first Repro from Jaqua's 20 years ago.

[Dean Romig]

Dave, haul them hammers back as soon as you know he's coming... then hang on for a helluva ride - these hammer guns are great fun to hunt with!


In your excitement - if you take him with your first shot - remember to open the gun rather than trying to gently lower that other hammer with trembling hands.

[Dave Fuller]

Thanks Dean - I should be so lucky! Good advice nonetheless - Thanks

[Richard Flanders]

I rarely cock my hammers with the action closed, especially if I'm cold. If I cock them with the action closed I try to put the palm of my hand between the hammer and the firing pin as I do, just in case something goes awry. Deans right also; if you shoot just one barrel and if you can, open the gun immediately rather than trying to lower a hammer. Some hammer guns will not open with the right hammer back; mine won't. It's true also that hammer guns are absolutely addicting. There's something about them that appeals to the Dan'l Boone in us I guess...or maybe we were all stagecoach drivers in a past life....

[Austin W Hogan]

I practiced a little and found I could shoot skeet doubles from a low gun with hammers down. Cock the left hammer on the mount; the leverage is there to cock the right hammer as you move your hand forward. Dry fire practice this a few hundred times before you try it. It's embarrasing to tear up the grass infront of the station, but the misfires will always be downrange.
I have gone straight to station 6 or 7 several times from low gun hammers down on call. I can get high house 8 this way by turning 45 degrees and shooting it as a high crosser. I haven't hit low house 8 as yet.

Best, Austin

[Dean Romig]

You're a better man than I am Mr. Hogan.... by a looong shot :cheers:

That must take an awful lot of practice but I'm going to try it next time I shoot one of my sixteens at skeet.