20ga Trojan loads

[Joseph Sheerin]

I know this is an often beat down topic, but since I just picked up my 20, thought I'd ask.

For those of you shooting 20ga Trojans, what's the heaviest load you are shooting out of them. I was able to pick up a box of 3/4 oz 1200 FPS low recoil loads for it, figure those should be safe. I also have some 1200 1 oz loads, and would think those are ok too.

With RST not cranking out any 20ga right now, options are tight.

Gun on the bottom..... Appears to be in excellent original condition. 1929 gun.

Serial Nums not in the book, nor do there appear to be info for a letter.

[Dean Romig]

With a Trojan 20 unless you're shooting pheasant, ducks or geese I would think 3/4 oz. or 7/8 oz. loads at 1200 fps would be more than adequate. Neither I nor my guns enjoy much recoil at all, but then all I hunt with with a 20, with the exception of turkeys, are grouse and woodcock...





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[Joseph Sheerin]

With a Trojan 20 unless you're shooting pheasant, ducks or geese I would think 3/4 oz. or 7/8 oz. loads at 1200 fps would be more than adequate. Neither I nor my guns enjoy much recoil at all, but then all I hunt with with a 20, with the exception of turkeys, are grouse and woodcock...
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I 100% agree with you, problem has been finding loads in that range. Luckily, my gun club is carrying the 3/4 oz low recoil loads, so those and the 7/8 oz 1200 fps loads is probably what I will stick with. I can shoot the 1oz loads out of my O/U or my Browning B-80 20ga guns.

I figgure with the f/f barrels the 3/4 or 7/8 oz loads are plenty I'll either hit or miss anyway.... :D

[todd allen]

The quail I have shot with my Trojan 20 seem to prefer 7/8 oz of 7 1/2s, at about 1150-1200 fps.

[Phil Yearout]

I try to stay under 1200fps with all my vintage guns, even the 12's. I'll go to 1220 or so for the occasional shot like the Kent Bismuth loads in my 16's where non-tox is required. But to be honest, in a hunting arm I don't put that many rounds through them so it's probably not a concern. High volume is different of course. Nice display by the way...

[Dave Noreen]

A 1929 vintage gun would have been made seven years after the 20-gauge progressive burning powder, high velocity, 1-ounce loads were introduced.

But my 1930 vintage VH 20-gauge still has 2 3/8-inch chambers intended for the 2 1/2-inch shells.

[Joseph Sheerin]

I shot the gun on Friday with the 3/4 oz 1200 fps loads. It smoked the birds when I did my part, and it was very pleasant to shoot with those.

I have a stash of 3/4 & 7/8 oz 1200 fps loads now, and hoping my gun club continues to carry the 3/4 oz target loads.

I thought I had some #6 low velocity pheasant loads in 20ga, but they are 7.5's.

Would love to find a box of 6's, as I wouldn't mind toting this gun during turkey season. Although those 7.5s will work as long as I get them close.

[Joseph Sheerin]

I really miss RST not having a full supply of ammo to choose from..... :-(

[Garry L Gordon]

I really miss RST not having a full supply of ammo to choose from..... :-(

Amen to that. Ya live long enough and you'll see lots of things "they" said would never happen.

(FWIW, when we bought our house, interest rates were 18%, the general opinion was that we'd never see single digit rates again. When I hear the whining, I just smile.)

[Mike Koneski]

I shoot 7/8 and 3/4 oz loads out of my Parker and Lefever 20g guns. Fiocchi, Rem, Win, Nobel are all good to go. Most but not all of my commercial shells are 1220 fps and that's where I try to use as my max. I'm not worried about bbls or any metal issues. I am more concerned with the stock head.

[Joseph Sheerin]

I shoot 7/8 and 3/4 oz loads out of my Parker and Lefever 20g guns. Fiocchi, Rem, Win, Nobel are all good to go. Most but not all of my commercial shells are 1220 fps and that's where I try to use as my max. I'm not worried about bbls or any metal issues. I am more concerned with the stock head.

The Nobel 20ga Low Recoil is what I picked up last week. They shoot very well out of the gun.

I have a Browning CXS for my hardcore clay busting. So, these will work in the little 20ga for me. Hopefully, RST starts making some 20ga before next fall. In the meantime, I'll shoot an occasional round with the Trojan with these to keep me familiar with it. :D

[William Davis]

I load two 20G shells. 7/8 oz in Remington hulls, use in 20G Barrels on a 12 G Beretta o/u and Beretta 391 Autoloader either one usually carry LM chokes. And 3/4 oz in AA hulls oz for my Two Parker Trojan 20’s. The Parkers are tight choked, result on target patterns 3/4 7/8 are about the same. Parkers lighter with slimmer stocks pleasant to shoot with 3/4, felt recoil about the same as the 8 lb Berettas (391 weight added) (different hulls easy to identify.)

Loading 3/4 best information is a sticky on Shotgun World reloading page https://www.shotgunworld.com/threads/the-20-gauge-3-4-oz-thread-of-justice.421067/

In practice only difference wad, bit less 20/28 powder & little adjustment to the press. Factory 3/4 20s great SxS shells problem is reliable supply.

William

[Dean Romig]

A Trojan is about as stout a gun as you're likely to find.





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[William Davis]

Dean my take it’s not the guns strength it’s how you shoot it and what load it needs to do the job. No doubt we can go around 100 bird clays course with a Trojan and factory 7/8 loads but most will be affected by recoil. 3/4 at 1150 fps is ideal for targets and small birds.

William

[Dean Romig]

Agreed.





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[ED J, MORGAN]

I use federal game loads when out of RSTs. in my Trojan.