RST A5 pressure?
 

I have an email in to RST for a few days but no answer yet. I have two boxes of their A5 shells designed for Browning A5's. Anyone know the pressure on these? I think out of my 12g VH they'd make a dandy pheasant load.

What makes them special for recoil operated automatics?

I would think that if they are made by RST, they should be just fine for your VH.

They don't have them up now for lack of inventory but I believe when I got them (two years ago) they said they are NOT low pressure loads.

Interesting, RST sent me a word document with their load pressures in February this year. They list a 1oz 16 gauge A5 load at 8000 psi. The document doesn't list a 12 gauge A5 load.

Ken

I would assume that any load specified for semi-autos would be hot, to ensure they would cycle dirty, poorly maintained guns

I'll have to post a photo of the box later. It clearly states A5 on it, and they are 16g.

I would shoot them in a 16 gauge VH. I doubt that they are all that hot.

A sound VH should be able to digest any load you put at it. Providing proper shell length.

Ken Hill wrote:
Interesting, RST sent me a word document with their load pressures in February this year. They list a 1oz 16 gauge A5 load at 8000 psi. The document doesn't list a 12 gauge A5 load.

So there's your answer. If I remember correctly, Morris developed these for use in short-chambered (2 9/16") 16 ga. A-5s to ensure proper cycling. (I am assuming your loads are 2 1/2" ??). I have shot a number of them and they are really nice loads for the short-chambered guns.

Morris may pump those shells up a little for reliable functioning in the A-5. However, that is not required to make the gun work. My 12 gauge A-5s work with light 7/8 ounce loads with modified friction rings. My solution is to cut the ring in half with a machinist's saw and the result is a ring for two guns. This system has worked for me for years. By the way, the 16 gauge A-5 load is one ounce at 1200 fps, same as the Lite and Paper Lite. The only way to lower the pressure is to use a slower powder.

Kevin they are 2 1/2" 1200fps 1oz loads. They shoot very nice. The box is marked simply A5.

On the home page of RST website it says....

Our shells are safe to shoot in Vintage Guns. Even with Damascus and Twist Steel barrels!

Of course after a reputable SxS gunsmith has given the OK.

(With the exception of the Pigeon loads, A-5, Heavy Hunting)



So, the A5 shells, probably not a good idea in "some" vintage guns.....

We have good data for the pressures of turn-of-the-century 1 oz. 16g Bulk Smokeless Powder loads
2 1/2 Dr. Eq. (1165 fps) was about 7000 psi;
2 3/4 Dr. Eq. (1220 fps) about 8500 psi;
3 Dr. Eq. was about 10,000 psi
Dense smokeless would be higher.

IMHO if barrels, after a proper evaluation, are felt to be unsafe at 8000 psi, they are likely unsafe with any hunting or target load.

I own model 11 Remingtons same design as the A5. The recoil operating action is dependent on recoil not pressure. A standard 1 1/8oz load never is an issue. Light loads under 1 1/8oz causes problems.

Years ago when I reloaded a lot I "developed" my own 1 oz. target load for the 12 ga. A-5 by reloading successively lighter powder charges and shooting individual samples of each to try to hit the "sweet spot" in recoil that would operate the action properly. Using the older (better) style Win. AA case, 16.5 gns. of 700X and a Claybuster wad I got an 1195 fps. load at 9000 psi. This load data fits well with Drew's quoted 2 3/4 Dr. Equivalent figures. With proper friction ring adjustment they were a very nice load to shoot.

7/8 ounce and light 1 ounce loads were never meant for squareback Brownings or Remingtons. When you get down to 7/8 ounce loads or low velocity 1 ounce loads, you should modify your rings to lessen the friction. I do it by sawing a friction ring in half and reinstall one half. You then have two rings that can be used in two guns. It has worked for me for many years.