Back before RST and the Sherman Bell tests, Ross Seyfried wrote about using 7625 for low pressure reloads in damascus and twist barrels. He advised to do a thorough visual inspection for any flaws or alterations, then said to stuff a couple of Win AA loads in, rest the butt in an old tire on the ground, with the barrels lying on top, tie a string to the trigger, and back up about 50 feet and let her rip. The AA's, he said, developed only about 10,500 psi which was plenty enough proof for him. I tried it on an old pair of Ithaca twist barrels with pristine bores, and they "passed" the proof. Notice I didnt stuff 3 inch 1 7/8 oz 2's in it. Have fun!

Head to a couple of gun shows and picke up a box of nitro 2 7/8 inch loads and use them to proof it. If you can't find any then there are a few of us that could send you a couple for proofing. If there are no major flaws with the bbls then the vintage or RST shells are just the ticket. There is a sherman bell loading manual floating around and there is short 10ga manual that Gunnerman Books sells.......all the loads use IMR 7625 in that manual Gunnerman manual. There are several of us using sherman bell loads. I think I am using his #75 load for target... it is a 1 1/8oz load at about 5500 psi and crushes the clays. I shot a deer several years ago with an old 2 7/8" Remington Express 0 Buck. Used a 3 frame Parker DH 10. The old Remington shells seem to shoot consistently but I have had problems with some of the old Winchesters. The primer doesn't seem to crush and may just have gone bad.

Good luck and enjoy......it is a lot of fun (and satisfying) shooting turkeys with the old guns.

Kurt

Thanks Kurt - I will look for an older box of short 10's, good idea. I have to say the gun shows here are nothing but black guns, beef jerkey, and World War II books though. I have some RSTs, I would just feel better if I knew it would handle something a little stronger than I'd be shooting. I reload 12s and 28s, looks like I may have to shop for a 10ga reloader too...

Dave,

If you are reloading low pressure 12 gauge shells they can be shot through the 10 gauge with www.gaugemate.com These are a lot of fun, however you can not reload a hull once it has been used in the GaugeMate. I just use hulls that are at the end of their tether.

Harry

Kurt,

What gun shows do you go to where you find them 2 7/8 10 gauge shells? Lemme know, I wanna come along, my stock is minimal at best. *wink*


Destry

Destry, make your best attempt to outlive me and you will be in hog's heaven. I wonder what happened to Dave Noreen's stash of short tens? He tried for a long time to find someone to take them off his hands. I'm looking for a Parker to shoot my 3 1/2" steel shells in. I've about had it with carrying this AYA around. I have a good offer on it and would like to see it gone. Unfortunately, it's the only gun that I can shoot my steel in.

Bill,

I've asked Dave about those shells and apparently he's sold them finally. I sure wish I'd have known cause I'd have bought every box.

A Parker to shoot magnum steel in might be a tough one to find. Tell you what, just trade me that #6 frame and I'll give you my magnum for it and some old gun friendly shells to boot.


DLH

I could be mistaken but I was thinking that you had a couple boxes on the table at the antique arms show.....maybe they were 3 1/2".... I find the short ones occasionally, but not in large quantity of course.

Nice find! You must have beat me to those at the show Kurt.... they would never have made it past me had I seen them! I have a pretty good stock now thanks to a trade I made with Destry..

Bill: I cut a 3-1/2 steel 10ga open recently because I have no use for them and the pellets felt like they were made of aluminum. Can't imagine how they could possibly kill out past 25 yds. Way too light for me. I had no idea steel felt that light. You might as well load up Crosman BB's...

Rich you are correct, steel is light. Since simple Newtonian Physics dictate that Force = Mass X Acceleration, denser shot simply delivers more force to the target assuming equal muzzle velocity. Ergo, I pay $4 per round for Bismuth when duck hunting. The extra $2 is nothing in the grand scheme of things, I should be so lucky as to shoot more $4 rounds. The physics are the physics, if you want to discuss hunting economics I will refer you to my wife who seems to be able to think more clearly on the subject.