Invite to go turkey hunting ....RST out of Nice Shot...Copper?
 

Got invited to go Duck Hunting in a couple of weeks. Checked RST and no nice shot available. Saw they sell copper shot as well? Is that an option for ducks? I literally have no idea as I have never heard of copper shot before. Assuming it is copper plated lead.


Really wish RST would post something on their forum about what each of their loads are for. Woodcock and Pigeon I get... but Falcon?

RST copper plated lead shot is illegal for hunting waterfowl. Plated lead shot hardens the pellet, less shot deformation, and better patterns. Plated shot is good for turkey, pigeon, pheasant, etc.

You need to use either steel, bismuth, tungsten. Go here to this link.

http://www.fws.gov/birds/bird-enthus...g/nontoxic.php

People in this forum have used Kent's Tungsten-Matrix which is safe for older doubles. I thought Rio had a non steel waterfowl ammo but I can't find it.

Google Kent's Tungsten-Matrix and you will get hits on who sells it and you can have shipped to you.

Rio is loading Bismuth as their non-tox- there were big sales on it before season- might be harder to find now

http://www.rioammo.com/rio_bismuth.html

Bismuth and Kent tm are your best bets

If I wanted to go the cheap way, I would shoot steel 12 gauge shells out of a Parker 10 gauge with chamber inserts.

Assuming you are referring to these guys?

http://www.mackspw.com/Item--i-K12xNT

Just want to be sure. Gun I am wanting to use is a 1921 VH 12 gauge with 32" barrels.

Yes. That is what I use, along with Rio Bismuth. You have to be careful with wall thickness and other issues with older guns, but there really is no other choice right now for older guns, other than leaving them in the safe while chasing ducks

Measure the Chambers
 

I notice that the ammunition manufactures suggested in this thread only sell 2 3/4" or longer 12 gauge shells.

You need to check the chamber length of your 1921 VH. The major plus for RST is that they sell (OK, sold) short chamber non toxic shells, e.g, 2 1/2 inch 12 gauge. Your VH may have chambers for 2 1/2 inch shells. If the chambers have been lengthened, than it might (emph might) weaken the breach area of that 94 year old gun.

I would strongly suggest that you have a gunsmith who knows doubles and check the wall thickness of the barrels. It is probably fine to shoot and more than one Parker owner has used 2 3/4" shells in guns chambered for 2 1/2" with no consequence other than a stronger recoil, but it never hurts to make sure the gun is safe.

Best regards,
Patrick Butler

Not concerned about the barrels. I have shot a lot of trap and skeet with this gun as well as Dove.

I usually get RST 2.5s for my parkers, but by all reports from those who have tested it at doubel gun journal 2 3/4 or 2.5 makes no difference.

Plus, I believe Bruce Day, forgive me if I am giving the wrong credit here, said in the past that by the time this gun was made they were designed for 2 3/4 shells to get a better seal.

I am not so much concerned about the shell size as the pressure/velocity.

That would be nice but is it really safe for the barrels? I've read a few things regarding chamber inserts. (If it's on the internet it must be true, right?)

Up to 8 gauges down will pattern better because it shortens the shot string by allowing the shot to spread out in the barrel. This still allows the choke to constrict the pattern, or rather, bunch up the shot. People on other forums say that this could cause the steel shot to bulge the barrel as it passes through the choke. True or false?