Any idea what the pressue is like on new Herters Target loads?

[Drew Hause]

The pressures of the discontinued Herter's shells (I think by Cheddite) were surprisingly just below the SAAMI recommended max. of 11,500 psi; likely loaded with very fast burning powder.
As stated, only independent pressure testing can give the pressures of the new Herter's.
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A few factory load pressures are at the bottom here
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...UOZEFU/preview

[John Davis]

So Drew, if I'm reading that correctly it looks like between 1900 and WW1 they were shooting field and target loads generating pressures between 8,000 and 11,500 psi?

[Drew Hause]

That is correct John. But some fellas pushed the envelope a bit

Kansas City, Oct. 23 1897
A remarkable exhibition of live pigeon shooting was given at Exposition Park, this city, yesterday afternoon, when Fred Gilbert, of Spirit Lake, Ia., and J.A.R. Elliott, of this city, met in a match at 100 live birds for $100 a side and the DuPont trophy, which Elliott won from C.W. Budd a few weeks ago with the score of 99 out of 100. The match was for the DuPont trophy at 100 live birds each man, 30 yards rise. Gilbert and Elliott tied at 97, then Gilbert won 25 to 24 in the shoot-off.
Gilbert used an L.C. Smith hammerless gun, 3 3/4 drams DuPont smokeless powder, 1 1/4 oz. No. 7 chilled shot in Winchester Leader shells.
J.A.R. Elliott used a (7 1/2#) Winchester repeating shotgun, 3 1/2 drams “E.C.” powder, 1 1/4 No. 7 1/2 and 6 chilled shot; Leader shells, loaded by Winchester.

1 1/4 oz. 3 1/2 Dr. Eq. BULK Smokeless was about 11,500 psi; the modern SAAMI max. for 2 3/4" 12g
and 1 1/4 oz. 3 3/4 Dr. Eq. (1330 fps) in an 8# shotgun = 29 ft/lbs free recoil
1 1/8 oz. at 1200, (3 Dram) 7.5 # shotgun = 23 ft/lbs of free recoil

[Drew Hause]

Independent testing of Cheddite for Herters 16g “Select Field Dove and Quail” 1 oz. at 1165 fps showed pressure averaging 12,500 psi with one at 13,400 psi.

[Drew Hause]

Nah. Now THIS is a hot load

October 19, 1895 Sporting Life
Dr. J.L. Williamson, of Milwaukee, Wis., has just purchased a new gun of more than ordinary proportions. The Doctor was quite taken with Carver's Cashmore gun, having long barrels and shooting a big load in a 3 1/4 inch shell; but desiring to give the American gunmakers a chance he ordered a gun from the Lefever Arms Company, of Syracuse, N. Y. but at the same time rather doubted their ability to make such a weapon as he desired. However, the gun was furnished and Dr. Williamson killed 79 out of 80 live birds on one trial, and 74 out of 75 targets, part being doubles.
The gun is a Lefever, 12-gauge, weighing 8 1/4 pounds, 32-inch barrels, and chambered for a 3 1/4 inch shell, and guaranteed to stand 4 1/2 Drams of “E.C.” powder, which is the amount of powder which he uses.

(1 1/4 oz. with 3 1/2 Dram “Schultze” was about 12,000 psi. “Schultze” pressures were somewhat lower than “E.C.”)

He did not compete in the 1896 GAH at Live Birds, but held the “E.C.” Cup that year; his gun was not listed
https://digital.la84.org/digital/col...id/47243/rec/7
https://digital.la84.org/digital/col...id/46882/rec/5

He used a Cashmore with 1 1/4 oz. 3 1/2 Dr. Eq. DuPont Bulk at the 1897 GAH at Live Birds, and was one of 5 competitors with 24 kills
https://digital.la84.org/digital/col...id/45852/rec/4
https://digital.la84.org/digital/col...id/46498/rec/3

[John Davis]

I'm feeling pretty good about those light target loads.

[C.O.B.]

Shooting RST in any vintage double gun is cheap by comparison to the cost of the gun and possible damage. Recoil is not an indicator of pressure.