Vintage shell pattern test

[Richard Flanders]

I much prefer the old paper shells when hunting with my Parkers, as much for nostalgia as anything else. They kill just fine and smell right. It's a no brainer for me. I buy all the vintage papers I can find if the price is reasonable.

[Bill Murphy]

There is nothing new under the sun. In 1961, I bought a W&C Scott 16 gauge with 26" barrels actually marked full and full. I did not own a choke micrometer when I was 15 years old. The cheapest shells were 2 9/16", one ounce, paper low brass roll crimp loads with a cardboard top wad. Remington and Winchester loaded them and the retail price was $2.50 a box. I assume Federal loaded them too. From that gun, any of these loads in #6 shot patterned 90% at 40 yards in a 30" circle. The percentage never varied all the times I patterned that load.