Yeah, but I think I read on another board that they are in 9000 to 10,000 psi range.

Sounds pretty strong to me too.

I know this is a wide question, but what psi would be a safe one. You know just across the board?

As Rick has said it all depends on the gun, but for a 16ga I would like to be in the 7500 to 8000 range. with my later fluid steel guns, Damascus less then that. Again even if the barrels are great we are still talking wood that is at least eighty years old..... and most is well over a hundred years old !

Well sounds like you only have two options , buy the #6 RST loads or handload your own .
The thing about shotgun shells is you dont need to buy all the reloading equipment and presses . You can load them with some simple hand tool and from my understanding a overshot card glued in place instead of a star crimp produces even less pressures .

Thats odd I could of swore RST had a 10 ga bismuth load but now its not on their website .

A DuPont Ballistic Table published in Parker Brothers' “The Small Bore Shotgun” c. 1920 listed 16 gauge:
2 3/4 Dr. Eq. 7/8 oz. = 7,035 psi
3 Dr. Eq. 1 oz. = 1275 fps = 8,980 psi
using Bulk Smokeless; Dense Smokeless would be 1000-1500 psi higher

http://parkerguns.org/pages/PDF%20Do...%20Shotgun.pdf

Your gun can not be presumed to be safe with ANY load until you are able to answer Dean's question - what is the end-of-chamber, forcing cone, 9", and minimum wall thickness and where?
And are the barrels fluid steel or Damascus?

What are you shooting that 4 s are what you need ? I like to 6s in the small bores for duck. In my 20 ga i shoot 7/8 th oz of 6 s and it works great on duck and a few geese too.
Scott

This thread reminded me of something . Has anyone here run into issues with the game warden for shooting bismuth handloads ? I have read accounts of people getting ticketed for lead while shooting bismuth handloads because its non magnetic and handloads dont have a factory packaging showing it is indeed bismuth .

I would tell him pick any shell and cut it open and see for yourself. But first let me get something to catch this overpriced shot!

Canvasbacks, sprigs, gray ducks, mallards, and widgeon. Early season 6's work fine. Late season the fat gets thicker and it's tougher to get a clean kill with 6's.