Chamber Pressure
 

Hi, this is my first post here. I have a 1930 16 gauge VH that my Father gave me when I was 16. I say he gave it to me when I was 16, that was when he let me know that the gun was mine. He wisely waited about another 10 years to let me take full possession of it:)

Anyway, it is my most treasured firearm, as it was his, and I have just gotten back into more regular shooting and reloading. I have been catching up on all the changes in components that have taken place in the last 15 years as I gear back up for loading 16 gauge shells.

I have been reading a lot about the danger of higher chamber pressures in "vintage" shotguns. My gun is in beautiful condition, no rust or pitting, Vulcan steel barrels and a #1 frame. Is there any reason that I should be any more concerned about chamber pressure on the Parker than any of my other guns? I always use recipes from reliable sources, most of which run somewhere between 9000 and 11000.

Thanks

TPS p. 515 has chamber pressure tables.

There are other sources for Parker recommended loads, which, as you have recognized by your question, are different , but related, to chamber pressure.

John, Most of us here keep our loads to 5,000 to 8,000 PSI A 1 frame 16 is a great gun but you have a gun with 80+ year old wood and there really is no need to punish the gun and your shoulder with hot loads. If it were my gun I would load accordingly. Also our friends at RST make some fantastic shells for vintage guns that will do anything you ask of them within reason. Check them out at RST.com

Thanks. I didn't know any of this. I will get reading.

John, I can recommend joining the 16 Gauger Society, as well as their
"low pressure" group where you'll get tons of low pressure recipes.

http://www.16ga.com/

OK, found RST. Just FYI it is rstshells.com. rst.com is the RAM stress test group. The Parker Story looks great, but a bit out of my price range. I had already found and enjoyed 16ga.com, but had not looked at the low pressure group.

Thanks again

John,

I have a 16 VH on a #1 frame as well. I try to limit my shells to 1 oz at 1200 fps or less. I reload 7/8 oz at 1150 fps with the Down Range wad and International Clays powder. The pressure is 6200 psi and I shoot this load in a 16 gauge PH that has a set of Damascus barrels also. The PH was a 12 gauge on a #1 frame with Twist barrels that had been beat to death. I had a set of Damascus 16 gauge barrels that miraculously fit. Another fun Parker with 28" full choke barrels.

Harry

Harry, Could you post the full recipe for that load? I have been wanting to try some of the Downrange wads. Thank's!

Thanks Harry, that helps a lot. What kind of hulls and primer? 1 Oz. Loads are exactly what I am looking for. I don't hunt much any more, just shoot targets.

I have started the process to try to get into the 16 ga.com low pressure group, but haven't had a response yet. Seems I need the secret handshake or something:) Thanks to all for the good info here.

Am I right in thinking that the only way to get The Parker Story is to purchase the books for $500 or more?

I believe the Double Gun Journal is selling seconds for around $175 for the pair. I don't think anyone has found the reason they are seconds.