I would have no problems shooting any 20 ga 7/8 oz target/dove and quail load from any manufacturer in a Trojan 20. They are stout little guns with fluid steel barrels. 1200 fps is pretty much the standard velocity of most 20 ga target loads, however the pressures are much higher. I load 20 ga, and it is not hard to get that 8500 pressure and close to 1200 fps, but I wouldnt bother to load for that gun at the price you can buy standard( Win, Rem, Federal, Rio, etc) shells. Personally, I would also shoot 1 oz loads thru it if I wanted a little more oomph for pheasants, and never worry. I bet the majority of Trojan shooters would agree.

i agree.....charlie

I shoot 7/8 oz standard loads at 1200 FPS out of my Trojan 20. It shoots very nicely with them.

Agreed. I shoot the one ounce Winchester AA skeet loads exclusively for doves, 1200 fps in a Trojan and VH. They cost the same price as the 7/8 ounce loads and in my opinion are a far superior shell to anything out there. I use 8s right and 7 1/2 left. Plus one has great hulls to reload and every year Winchester has a $2 per box rebate, which makes them cost less than promotional "cheap" shells. A case brings you a $20 refund.

A 1922 vintage Parker Bros. Trojan 20-gauge most assuredly left Meriden with 2 3/8 inch chambers intended for 2 1/2 inch shells. Hard to say what may or may not have been done to it over the past 97 years though. Good to have it checked out by a competent double gun smith with the proper tools. The heaviest loads most of our North American ammunition manufacturers offered in the 2 1/2 inch 20-gauge case was 2 1/4 drams of bulk smokeless powder, or 18 grains of dense smokeless powder such as Infallible or Ballistite, pushing 7/8 ounce of shot --

Attachment 69355

but lighter loads were quite commonly used --

Attachment 69356

In 1922, Western Cartridge Co. introduced the heavier, high velocity, 1 ounce, 20-gauge load, using progressive burning smokeless powder, which they called Super-X, and it was put up in their 2 3/4 inch FIELD shell.

Attachment 69354

While most of our ammunition manufacturers followed suit and put their progressive burning powder, high velocity, 1 ounce 20-gauge shells up in a 2 3/4 inch case, Winchester with a boatload of their 20-gauge Model 12s out there, made for 2 1/2 inch shells, managed to stuff the 1 ounce high velocity load in a 2 1/2 inch case.

Attachment 69357

but also offered it in a 2 3/4 inch case --

Attachment 69358

fine looking shell boxes these are always great to look at and compare....charlie

Dave, I learn something every time you post. Thanks, friend!

Dave

This is the 20 gauge Trojan my father found under the Christmas Tree. My fathers first grandson is holding it and will inherit the gun at some point. It is still my favorite as I have been shooting it for about 60 years. I prefer 7/8 oz of 7 1/2 shot at 1180 fps or below. It is death itself on birds and was Papa's go to gun for everything until after WWII.

The picture is upside down and it must be because of the precession of the axis.