Turkey killing pattern for old Parker
 

Have been posting on the Hammer Gun section about my old 10 Gauge Lifter Hammer gun and decided this morning (after scouting for turkey's) to finally shoot the old girl. Because I value my fingers a lot, my first round was using the safe method:

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL59.../385335087.jpg

BTW, the load was the RST 2 7/8 oz 1 1/4 oz factory load. First test of the right barrel went well and the gun seemed fine. Then tried the left barrel and the firing pin only dented the primer. Seems as if I have an issue that needs to be addressed later for sure.

Decided since it appeared everything was fine with the right barrel to go ahead and shoot a round at the target at a stepped off 25 yards. BTW, this gun only has .020 of choke in both barrels.

Here's the 25 yard pattern, and yes in my mind that is one very dead turkey:

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL59.../385335088.jpg

Was hoping to take it out once this year, but given the problems with the left firing pin, it appears the VH made in 1900 gets the nod.

BTW, this is what I saw this morning, so the VH has a chance:

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL59.../385334156.jpg

Tom,

Thanks for the pictures and the report. There are fireing pins out there so don't be distressed. There are a couple of fellows that frequent this board that make them. I have replaced them on my lifter Parker and as I remember I had to remove the lock to have a clear shot at the fireing pin. Be careful replacing the lock as the triggers can be bent if not pushed forward to get them out of the way of the sears.

Harry

Tom, what size shot are you using?

Looks like that jake has busted you - did they run off after the picture?

Good luck, that's a nice ol' longbeard out there!

That was size 7.5 because I've got a ton of those. Actually that Jake and his buddy decided to come over and pay a visit. They got within 10 yards and started putting big time. I didn't move (I was prone on the ground with no camo) and they finally moved away. The whole flock then headed down the hill. Hoping this Saturday for a repeat performance. Just have to figure out how to draw that big bird away from his flock. They aren't even gobbling because they don't have to. They've got food and women, I mean come on. :)

If you could sort of walk me through how to replace the one I'd appreciate it. BTW, no recoil at all with this 10 pound plus beast.

Tom, put a hen decoy on the ground with a jake decoy on top of it in a breeding position and I guarantee that big tom will come over to kick that fake jake's tailfeathers all over creation.

Put Replacing Firing Pin on Hammer gun

in the search of this site and it will tell you how to replace and buy the pins


PDD

I had the same problem with one of my 0-Frame sixteens and it turned out I needed a mainspring so Jason Bardon (when he was at DTR) replaced both mainsprings. Fires perfectly every time now.

Tom,

To remove the lock plate take out the screw on the left hand side almost all the way then give it a very lite tap with a plastic hammer and the right lock plate will release. Please note that the lock plate has a lip on the front that slips into the frame. Take the screw that you just removed from the left side and insert into the hole on the right side of the gun and give a lite tap of the hammer to release the left lock. Insert a screw driver into the left firing pin retainer and remove. There should be a spring with the firing pin.

Harry

Thanks for the assistance. I'll take it apart soon and figure it out. I've had the locks off a couple of times already. Also appears the firing pin just slides in and out. Assume the spring is gone and the firing pin is partially broken. I don't see anyway it could go out far enough to fully engage the primer on the shell. It only protrudes out maybe a 1/16 of a inch.

Possibly the busted up remnants of the spring are limiting the pin's travel.

i also patterned my hammer gun
 

i patterned my hammer gun a couple weeks ago, 1893 0 grade top lever #1 frame 12g, i consistantly got 12-18 in the kill zone at 25 yards, that dropped to between 6-10 at 30, this was consistant with 3 shells per barrel using RST 12g 2 3/4 "PHEASANT" 1 1/4oz #6..... so out of 12 shots had 100% kills out to 30 yards, 5 yards further however yeilded different results, at 35 yards my pattern was 50% 3 out of 6 being kills, anything beyond that was even worse... anyways im going out on may 9th in the saint-croix river valley on the minnesota/wisconsin border (minnesota side) and besides getting a turkey, my secondary goal is to get a picture worthy of the parker of the month...

Knock 'em down Joe! Good luck to ya'.

I'm going to pattern my VHE 28 ga. full/full to see what effect it might have on a Vt. longbeard on the May 1st opener.

I hope your right Dean. That would be a very easy fix indeed. I'll get her apart here in the next few days.

i've been shooting my NH 32" f/f 10 ga at 40 yds, the best i could do is 86% with 1 1/2 oz 6's(278) in 30' ' patteren board , 4's didn't do as good 78% but at 30yds i would shoot any of the loads i tested! now all i need is a bird :corn: scott

VH 12ga 1903 Turkey Pattern
 

Here are the results from patterning a 12ga VH that will be used this May in NH. The big tear above the turkey's crown is from the wad at 30 yds(RST 2 1/2", 2 1/4 dram, #6). I like what the four pellets do below that tear.

WOW that should do it ! :shock: how much shot was in the load? scott

Got to make a correction, Scott - this was a Polywad shell (not RST) with 24 grams (.85 oz) of shot. I noted the in the stats "very dead" on this one.