Rule of thumb, pressure stresses barrel steel, recoil stresses wood stocks. Your titanic barrels if they have what is considered "servicable" barrel wall thickness will handle current factory loads. However, as you increase both payload and velocity you increase the force of recoil. The contact points between receiver and stock are small. Age does not make wood stronger. Stick with what are moderate velocity, lighter payloads. This is much easier to do if you reload. If you are like me you will be pleasantly surprised at the performance of lighter loads, 7/8, 1, and 1 1/8 ounce out of 12ga and 3/4 and 7/8 out of a 20ga, again at moderate velocity, 1100 to 1250 fps.
Best shells for any old shotgun are, lower pressure, lower velocity, lower shot weight. I really recommend you get into reloading if you are going to shoot old guns on a regular basis. It simply opens up so many possibilities. The problem with factory hunting loads are the premium stuff are generally heavy loads in terms of recoil and the "bargain" loads are put together with inferior components (giving poor patterns) such as soft lead shot to save money.
If you don't reload, remember you are shooting a graded Parker, check out RST shotshells, they are pricey but many of the loads were designed for use with older guns.
Finally, most cracked stocks are the result of loose screws that hold the stock in place. Keep them tight. However, don't put a screwdriver on your gun unless the screw driver fits and you know what you are doing. If you don't have either, take it to a trusted professional.
|