to cut or not to cut

[C.O.B.]

Generally you have to cut a big chunk off a Parker barrel to get more open chokes as the chokes can be up to 4 inches in length. I have two guns that are IC/F from Parker.

Harold try some spreaders first but one of my favorite Grouse guns is a GH 16with 28 inch damascuss bbls that were opened to .004 & .010.

[Mills]

The thing is, if you practice hard and become a good shot with full choked barrels, you are not a good shot, but a really good shot.

[Double Lab]

Originally Posted by Mills Morrison

The thing is, if you practice hard and become a good shot with full choked barrels, you are not a good shot, but a really good shot.

If your center the bird (feathered or clay) in your pattern it does'nt matter if you are using full choke or cylinder bore, you are still in the center. That's where you want to be. A tight choke gives you instant feedback on where you are shooting, chipped targets do not.

[OH Osthaus]

ok for clays

but in the uplands, in close cover, centering a bird with a fullest choke means you are a good shot and going hungry

[Mills]

That is right.

[Double Lab]

You are missing my point. Don't cut or ream out an original set of barrels, have fun locating a gun with original open chokes if that is what you feel comfortable with. I think Cyl/Full is the best combination for me. Hunt with what you shoot best. The birds deserve it. But I promise you; if you practice with a tightly choked gun on clays you will be deadly in the field where it really counts on feathers no matter what choke you choose.

[King Brown]

My 1889 16 Parker hammer 0 grade factory-ordered cyl/full. My son on first hunt killed a black on his first shot with it at 35 yards!

[ForrestArmstrong]

I received this gun today and it is a beauty, better than the pictures, a fair amount of case colors & blue, tight as a tick. My first vintage Parker so my question is what are maximum loads for this gun? I was thinking 1 1/8 ounces.

[Bruce Day]

Originally Posted by ForrestArmstrong

I received this gun today and it is a beauty, better than the pictures, a fair amount of case colors & blue, tight as a tick. My first vintage Parker so my question is what are maximum loads for this gun? I was thinking 1 1/8 ounces.

Mr. Armstrong, in direct answer to your question, I cannot tell you about your particular gun in its present condition, but knowing what Parker stated about guns they made like yours, consider the following facts:

1. The Parker Story chapter on barrels provides at p.715 (?) a service and proof load table for Parker guns. Your gun would have been made for a 10,800psi service load, to my recall. Present SAAMI 12ga service loads are 12,500.

2. Following is a Parker load table from the Parker produced booklet "The Small Bore Shot Gun" . The maximum 12 ga load listed is an 1 1/4oz, 3 1/2 dram load. Velocities at 100 feet are provided, backed to muzzle velocity as used today, its about 1250 fps.

3. Your gun would have been targeted and test shot with an 1 1/8oz, 3 dram load, and a hang tag made with pattern results. This load was considered a good patterning load by Parker. ( this is the hunting load I use in 12ga Parkers and has also been the standard trap load for over a century)

Others may have their preferred loads less than what Parker said, but your question asked the maximum load. Presuming you mean recommended maximum service load, Short answer: 10,800psi. The true max load is probably in excess of 20,000 psi based upon destructive tests conducted.

[ed good]

an ounce sounds better; keeping in mind that the wood is over 100 years old!