Question
 

I have a DHE 16 gauge and I'm having a real problems trying to find a bismuth load under 1300 fps in the size shot I'm looking for. My question is can that gun handle the 1300 fps shot? Or is there somewhere I can get some slower if I need? I've already looked at RST but all they have is #6 and I'm looking for #4

Thank you

Jeff

no one can answer that without inspecting the gun

and FPS is only one factor, what weight is the shot load - a heavy load or a light one? Pressure? chamber length?

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/shotgun has many bismuth loads for 16 at that speed or greater- pressures vary

Thank you
It's the Kent 25 count box of one once 2 3/4 bismuth that's just common everywhere. Where could I find the results for the pressure for that load?

My bore was lengthened to shoot 2 3/4

Jeff, what is the barrel wall thickness at the juncture of the chamber and the beginning of the forcing cone? That is by far the most critical place where sufficient wall thickness is an absolute must. As a chamber is lengthened that wall thickness is necessarily diminished.





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I would be concerned about the wood also. An old dry stock cannot take much recoil before you may see a crack form. I would say you may want to buy a Mec reloader and load you own.

Steve I just ordered one the other day. If your stock has been in the hot oil getting bent would that help with the dry wood?

i'll repeat my opinion ( again :rolleyes: )

low pressure is for the metal, low recoil is for the wood

Ok I called Kent and they said the 16 gauge one once 1300 fps load had 9900 pressure. Is that too much?

it still depends on the current condition and remaining specifications of the individual gun

sorry, there is no one size fits all answer

i would only add -

for me - personally - those are a little on the hot side for me with my vintage guns,

i only shoot Kent in a couple heavy built guns (such as a Super Fox, or a 3 frame 12 VH with a reinforced stock ) - and never as a steady diet -

I reload nontox

Rio sells a #4 bismuth load in 16 ga , its 1 oz @ 1200fps but its a 2 3/4" chamber .
Rio # RBI164

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.

Titanic steel. It went to Briey for chambers being lengthened so I know it's safe to shoot because they check that there. I found a man in Bay City Tx that specializes in old guns and he is going give me all the answers y'all are looking for when I bring it back with me next week. Hopefully then I can figure out what it can take. In the meantime I'm on the hunt for some loose bismuth for reloading.
Thank you for your help.

Precision Reloading sells bismuth shot but they are out of #4s .
I suppose you could try a duplex load of #6s and #2s .

Parker service load and proof pressures are listed in TPS, see barrels chapter. TPS contains the answers to most Parker questions.

This is what I have used for over 20 years with fluid steel 2 frame Parker 12’s when I’m after pheasants or ducks.

I too like the Classic Doubles ammo in my Parkers for ducks.