Recently purchased Parker Trojan 20 gauge
 

My question is this. The gun was made in 1922 and I would loved to use it for upland game. Am brand new to Parker ownership and thrilled with my find. Is this possible? Thank you for your help!

It should be great for upland game. If the chokes are IC/Mod, it will be even better.

Enjoy shooting it the only shell not to us is steel shot.

I would only add to Opening Days post to use "standard loads"not heavy or so called magnum shells. Welcome and enjoy your new gun.

Thanks for the in put everybody. Much appreciated!
Say for pheasant, #6 high base loads are okay to use correct.

Not sure about how it is choked. Would that be stamped?

Slowly taking out some water stains down along by the recoil pad.
Using a gunstock oil from a guy out in Utah. His recipe is all natural: linseed oil, tung oils, pine rosin, beeswax and orange oil.
Slow process but it's doing the trick.

Can't wait to fire this girl!!!!

Please post some pictures of your 'new' Trojan.

How long are the barrels?

It will be a great little gun for upland birds but depending on the chokes, pheasant shooting may be pushing it.

We don't generally refer to ammo for these old guns as "high brass" or "low brass" but more to chamber pressure and muzzle velocity. Muzzle velocity of 1250 fps and chamber pressures of 8500 psi or less is about all you'll want to shoot comfortably in the gun. For such birds as grouse, quail and woodcock 1125 is good for velocity and lower pressures will be quite comfortable and will easily get the job done.





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Thank you Dean for the valuable information.
Very much want to shoot this gun, hunt this gun, enjoy this gun and take care of it.

The water stains on the rear of the stock were pronounced and most substantial on the right side. It will take many many single rubbed layers of oils to bring it out and this is happening as we speak.
Most likely will take a few months refreshing the blisters in the walnut.
Wish I had taken a "before" pic lol! But it is coming along nicely:).
Barrels are 26".

Trojan 20 ga are sweet little upland guns for just about anything. You may want to check the chokes with a choke gauge. My barrels were cut from 28 to 26 and as a result, are cylinder chokes. Great for quail, chukkar and skeet. Not great for pheasant. Love it for what it can do.

Once again thank you everyone for all the information. Very much appreciated!
Will check the chokes on the barrels as soon as my choke gauge arrives. Should be this afternoon.

Winchester ammo replied to my question about availability of shot shells at 1250 muzzle velocity and 8500 chamber pressure. They do not manufacture them to those specs.
Can you suggest who does and where to get them.
Thank you.

There are a few that do, however, lot’s of folks shoot RST. This company manufacturers for the vintage gun community. Morris Baker owns the company and he and the company support our PGCA a lot in both words and deeds.

I would have no problems shooting any 20 ga 7/8 oz target/dove and quail load from any manufacturer in a Trojan 20. They are stout little guns with fluid steel barrels. 1200 fps is pretty much the standard velocity of most 20 ga target loads, however the pressures are much higher. I load 20 ga, and it is not hard to get that 8500 pressure and close to 1200 fps, but I wouldnt bother to load for that gun at the price you can buy standard( Win, Rem, Federal, Rio, etc) shells. Personally, I would also shoot 1 oz loads thru it if I wanted a little more oomph for pheasants, and never worry. I bet the majority of Trojan shooters would agree.

i agree.....charlie

I shoot 7/8 oz standard loads at 1200 FPS out of my Trojan 20. It shoots very nicely with them.

Agreed. I shoot the one ounce Winchester AA skeet loads exclusively for doves, 1200 fps in a Trojan and VH. They cost the same price as the 7/8 ounce loads and in my opinion are a far superior shell to anything out there. I use 8s right and 7 1/2 left. Plus one has great hulls to reload and every year Winchester has a $2 per box rebate, which makes them cost less than promotional "cheap" shells. A case brings you a $20 refund.

A 1922 vintage Parker Bros. Trojan 20-gauge most assuredly left Meriden with 2 3/8 inch chambers intended for 2 1/2 inch shells. Hard to say what may or may not have been done to it over the past 97 years though. Good to have it checked out by a competent double gun smith with the proper tools. The heaviest loads most of our North American ammunition manufacturers offered in the 2 1/2 inch 20-gauge case was 2 1/4 drams of bulk smokeless powder, or 18 grains of dense smokeless powder such as Infallible or Ballistite, pushing 7/8 ounce of shot --

Attachment 69355

but lighter loads were quite commonly used --

Attachment 69356

In 1922, Western Cartridge Co. introduced the heavier, high velocity, 1 ounce, 20-gauge load, using progressive burning smokeless powder, which they called Super-X, and it was put up in their 2 3/4 inch FIELD shell.

Attachment 69354

While most of our ammunition manufacturers followed suit and put their progressive burning powder, high velocity, 1 ounce 20-gauge shells up in a 2 3/4 inch case, Winchester with a boatload of their 20-gauge Model 12s out there, made for 2 1/2 inch shells, managed to stuff the 1 ounce high velocity load in a 2 1/2 inch case.

Attachment 69357

but also offered it in a 2 3/4 inch case --

Attachment 69358

fine looking shell boxes these are always great to look at and compare....charlie

Dave, I learn something every time you post. Thanks, friend!

Dave

This is the 20 gauge Trojan my father found under the Christmas Tree. My fathers first grandson is holding it and will inherit the gun at some point. It is still my favorite as I have been shooting it for about 60 years. I prefer 7/8 oz of 7 1/2 shot at 1180 fps or below. It is death itself on birds and was Papa's go to gun for everything until after WWII.

The picture is upside down and it must be because of the precession of the axis.