Asking this question is like the fellow with the vintage car who asks at the local cafe how fast he can drive between Fargo and Billings. One fellow says 110, another 80 and another says 55. All are correct.

When this question is asked about Parker shot shell loads, a person seldom sees responses that recite what Parker said, despite we being fortunate to have Parker documents.

Below is what Parker said and can be used as a starting point. To the poster's question, a good answer is to shoot various loads and see what works best. We get the same question about pheasant guns and loads. The best answer always is that it varies within a range.

I've added quite a bit of information to this document regarding turn-of-the-century (and a bit later) loads
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...UOZEFU/preview

And this pressure data might be helpful in choosing a load ballistically similar to that for which your gun was intended

12g
1 1/8 oz. 3 Drams (83 gr) Curtis & Harvey’s No. 4, T.S. Black Powder (similar to FFg) was about 6500 psi.
For comparison, 1 1/8 oz. 3 Drams (1200 fps) of DuPont FFFg Black Powder (82 grains) is about 5000 psi.
1 1/8 oz. 3 Dram Equivalent of BULK Smokeless was 6500 - 7500 psi.
1 1/8 oz. 3 Dr. Eq. of DENSE Smokeless was 9000 - 10,000 psi.
1 1/8 oz. 3 1/4 Dr. Eq. BULK Smokeless was about 8500 psi.
1 1/8 oz. 3 1/4 Dr. Eq. DENSE Smokeless was 9500 - 10,500 psi.
16g 1 oz. 2 3/4 Dr. Eq. BULK Smokeless was about 7000 psi.
20g 7/8 oz. 2 1/2 Dr. Eq. BULK Smokeless was 8000-9000 psi.
7/8 oz. 2 1/2 Dr. Eq. DENSE Smokeless was about 11,000 psi.

Note that the pressures for Dense powder are very similar to today's loads, which is not to say that pressure is safe in YOUR gun (sorry for the disclaimer).

http://pic20.picturetrail.com:80/VOL.../402530012.jpg

10 gauge
 

I am looking to shoot my newly acquired 10 gauge damascus.
It's a D grade, 30 inch barrels with 2 7/8 chambers.
Size 3 action.
Pattern looks excellent.

I am looking to shoot dove/skeet. There appears to be very few manufacturers of shells for this purpose. RST of course. Are there any others?

Any recommendations? Options?

Read through this. http://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=11403

My standard 7/8 oz # 7 1/2 12 G Clays load is the lightest published by Alliant 16.5 Red dot. They claim 1200 fps. Have shot thousands in several Parkers Steel and Damascus. I think # 6 is more appropriate for large birds, however 7/8 oz # 6 is pretty thin when you put it on paper. Alliant has a 1 oz load at 1150 F same powder charge 16.5 Red dot. Both have pressures published, 7300 lbs 7/8 oz 8000 1 oz

Have 5 of each loaded up to pattern and chronograph. If 1 oz # 6 prints well and is 1150 it ought to be about perfect for Phesants.

You could probably shoot 1 1/8 oz safe, but pattern the gun first. If 1 oz suits it's going to be a lot easier to shoot long runs due less recoil. Of course a lot depends on your guns weight. My 7 lb Damascus GH is more pleasant with light shot loads than my nearly 8 lb VH both choked and pattern about the same very full. Open choked gun may need 1 1/8 oz

Boats

Thanks.

I also have a 12 gauge Damascus 30" full/full.
These sound like the right shells for it. Any suggestions on where to find these shells?
Thanks,
Tom

Thomas, if you are asking about RST shells: http://www.rstshells.com

Hope that helps.

With a lot of shooting, my first concern would be recoil. The old guns with lots of drop [ which I like ] will make the barrels kick up more into your face. I use all mine for SC's, and sometimes shoot a couple of hundred a day. With the 12 I shoot 3/4oz and the 10ga it's 1 1/16oz. At 1200fps there's hardly any recoil, but then I'm just shooting clay birds. You'll probably want more shot for hunting. Someone once left some RST shells at the club after a shoot. Their 1oz loads were every bit as soft as my 3/4oz loads. If it were me and it was a one time thing, I wouldn't hesitate to call RST and talk to someone and get whatever they recommended.