Federal Game Shok 12ga 2 3/4" in 1926 Trojan

[Randy Roberts]

Originally Posted by Joseph Sheerin

I have looked through that gunsmith section a couple times now, no one near St Charles MO, that I have seen.... What measurements are you concerned with?

Chamber length, bore diameters, minimum wall thickness measurements (MWT) at juncture of forcing cones and end of chamber, MWT at end of forcing cone, MWT at 9" from breech, and also the MWT at any spot forward of the measurement taken at 9" from the breech. You may want to search the forum Joe as there has been a lot of conversation on this topic over the years.

[Joe from MO]

Chambers as measured them are 2 5/8th it appears. Not 2 3/4" like my Ithaca NID. I could be off by that 1/16th, but measurement I got was 2 5/8th.

It was my understanding, Trojans had 2 5/8th or 2 9/16th chambers, yet are fine to shoot 2 3/4" shells.

[Randy Roberts]

Yes, the 2 5/8" chamber length is fine for 2 3/4" ammo.

[Eric Estes]

Barrel wall thickness at the points Randy indicated would be my primary concern to know before shooting any of these old guns with any load. A lot can and often does happen to them in a hundred years or more.
A $100 Manson gauge is a great investment if you can't find anyone nearby that is qualified to make the measurements for you. Lots of info on the site on the best way to use one. Best investment for safety and peace of mind IMHO.

[King Brown]

I don't know where this notion started that larger and faster loads are better. I grew up in a fishing village of subsistence living. Preferred shells were low-base 1 1/8 because of cost. I doubt those gunners, mostly relatives and all of them poachers at one time or another, knew their shells were making better patterns than the more expensive "high brass."

I didn't know myself until I started competitive shooting in the big city. Consider, too, these fishermen could shoot, knew their limits, no iffy shots, always retrieved what they hit regardless of the time it took from a hunt, and their waterfowl were the heaviest kind from harbours and tubs at sea. A lot of what I see today sickens me.

[Joe from MO]

Originally Posted by King Brown

I don't know where this notion started that larger and faster loads are better. I grew up in a fishing village of subsistence living. Preferred shells were low-base 1 1/8 because of cost. I doubt those gunners, mostly relatives and all of them poachers at one time or another, knew their shells were making better patterns than the more expensive "high brass."

I didn't know myself until I started competitive shooting in the big city. Consider, too, these fishermen could shoot, knew their limits, no iffy shots, always retrieved what they hit regardless of the time it took from a hunt, and their waterfowl were the heaviest kind from harbours and tubs at sea. A lot of what I see today sickens me.

I agree, but as with most things this day, faster = better.

Would love to find just nice shooting 1 1/8 oz 1200 fps loads, that I didn't have to reload myself. You can find em in target loads. I use the Herters low recoil target loads for busting clays all the time.

But finding #6 or #5 hunting loads that are low pressure, and 1200 mv or less is hard, RST is about the only place for those, and by the time you pay shipping, they are not cheap..... Although, it's the route I go unless I load my own.

[Double Lab]

Maybe you could help by telling us what is your quarry. King has it right. Bigger is not better and RST would have anything low pressure you would need.

I've killed a load of birds from quail to Canada geese and in between. Focus more on learning your gun and don't obsess on bigger and faster loads.

[Joe from MO]

Originally Posted by Daryl Corona

Maybe you could help by telling us what is your quarry. King has it right. Bigger is not better and RST would have anything low pressure you would need.

I've killed a load of birds from quail to Canada geese and in between. Focus more on learning your gun and don't obsess on bigger and faster loads.

I am headed to Montana in Oct, and hope to have time to do a little pheasant hunting. We are on a Mule deer hunt, but when we tag out usually get in a bit of bird hunting. So, #6 1&1/8 - 1&1/4 1200 fps load is what I was thinking.

I can get a wall thickness gauge from Brownells... I may just pick one up, wouldn't be a bad thing to have around.

[Battue]

I agree, but as with most things this day, faster = better.

.

Punch the numbers in here and you should find faster at the muzzle means little at 30 yards plus....which is were it counts....

http://www.ctmuzzleloaders.com/ctml_...otgunning.html

[Joe from MO]

And yes, if I don't find anything else I am comfortable shooting out of the gun, I'll be making another order with RST.