Spreader shells question

[B. Dudley]

What are the thoughts on using fiber wads in place of a shot cup wad instead of a spreader load. Fiber wads are supposed to give more open patterns than modern shot cup wads.

[Chris T.]

I have gun that's choked .042" and .045" and I have tried the spreader loads too. I've found I have better luck accepting the tight chokes instead of using spreaders. I would highly recommend giving the spreaders a try, but just for fun try shooting you gun the way it is too. You may be surprised.

[Researcher]

My Father had the Damascus barrels of this extra full and extra full 1896 vintage Remington AE-Grade opened to IC and Mod, and bagged a lot of Pheasants, Chuckers and Huns with it from when he got it in 1945 until he quit hunting after the 1987-8 season.



This pic from 1972.

[Gary]

I would not go to Cyl with them.. if i were to open them up i would probably do one barrel IC or Lt Mod and leave the other one alone. That way its still a good hunting gun.. for those that hunt.
I have a nice Trojan that the barrels surprisingly fit the GH.. and they are Mod/IMP Mod.. So i can leave these alone and just switch barrels if/when needed.
Also have a VH that have Skeet/IC that i shoot Skeet, 5 stand, and even done well at Sporting Clays with so I agree that would be best for the history of this gun..

[Double Lab]

Gary;
Let me start out by saying that I'm against reaming out chokes. I agree with Brian in loading (if you reload) a load without the shotcup by either using fiber wads or simply by cutting the petals off a plastic wad. Both methods allow the shot to contact and "scrub" the bore, slightly deforming it and opening the pattern. Many years ago I contacted Tom Roster, a ballistician of some note, and he suggested that I try this method. It opened the pattern, using low antimony 7 1/2's, by about 10%. Low antimony, or soft shot, is the key here. But I, like Mills, have come to enjoy shooting tight chokes. If you are just shooting skeet and SC, try different loads, such as cheaper promo loads in 8 1/2 or 9. Smaller shot is typically softer as the antimony content is'nt there and will open up a tight choke. Bottom line is you are going to have to spend some time at a pattern board, shooting these different loads and finding one that you are comfortable with. But the ultimate test is shooting lots and lots of clay targets with different loads and completely, and I mean completely, forget about what choke is in your gun. You'll be surprised.