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

[Joe from MO]

Anyone used these in their Parkers on Pheasants, and if so how did they do? Seems like they would be fine for use in my Parker Trojan #2 frame. DE is 3.19 They also do a 1 1/8 oz load at 1250, and 3.22 DE.

12 Gauge 2 3/4" 5 & 6 shot.

Dram Equivalent 3.19
Shot Type Lead
Velocity (fps)1220
Shell Length 2.75"
Ounces of Shot 1-1/4 oz.

Seems like a safe load in a gun such as mine... a couple pics of the Shotgun. Appears to be in pretty good shape for a 94 yr old gun.

thanks

[Jerry Parise]

I think that just about everyone, including me, would recommend RST low pressure loads in a 94 year old gun. Generally, it is not the metal that people worry about in guns of this age, it's the head of a 94 year old stock. Walnut, or for that matter any wood, of that age tends to become more brittle as it ages. If it is oil soaked, that makes the situation that much worse. Most would say to be gentle with that old wood. The load that you mention on the surface appears to be a lighter load with reasonable velocity, however, its psi is probably up around 10,000 psi or more. Remember, it's not the velocity but rather the pressure per square inch that the load generates that fractures that old stock wood in the head or wrist of the stock.

[Joe from MO]

Understood, so where can you get information on pressure?

It's funny, but depending on who you talk to.... Some talk about DE being important, some weight of shot/velocity, some talk about pressure, which is the hardest to get info on normally.

From a technical perspective, I have a hard time understanding why/how a 1250 fps load of 1 1/8 shot can have such a different pressure from a 1200 fps load of same weight, although I know it's possible looking at load data.

I have only shot RST's out of my AH Fox Philly gun, but was hoping that in this Trojan, which is definitely a but more bulky build I could get away with up to 1250 fps in a 1 1/9 oz load.

Be real curious to know what pressure levels are like in these federals....

[Double Lab]

Jerry is correct in one sense that the head of the stock is most at risk but not from pressure. It's from excessive recoil. Pressure has nothing to do with recoil. Personally I think the 1 1/8 load using 7 1/2's would be all you need Joseph and I'd stay away from the 1 1/4oz load. That's pretty stiff. Buy some 1 1/8oz trap loads with good hard shot. That would be a 3 dram load @ 1200fps. More than enough to kill a bird.

[Joe from MO]

This is just a small sample of what I am talking about from the hogdon site. All three are 1 1/4 oz loads from same hull, all with 1220 velocity, but the pressure ranges from 7,900 to 10,300. I have yet to run across any 1 1/4 oz loads at 1220 velocity that was over 10,500. More than I want really.

GAUGE: 12
Lead Shot 1 1/4 oz.

Hodgdon Universal CCI 209M Rem. SP12 25.5 7,900 PSI 1,220
Hodgdon Universal Fed. 209A Fed. 12S4 24.0 10,300 PSI 1,220
Hodgdon Universal Fio. 616 Fed. 12S4 26.0 8,900 PSI 1,220
Hodgdon Universal Win. 209 Fed. 12S4 25.2 8,800 PSI 1,220
Hodgdon Universal Win. 209 WAA12F114 25.5 9,400 PSI 1,220

[Joe from MO]

Originally Posted by Daryl Corona

Jerry is correct in one sense that the head of the stock is most at risk but not from pressure. It's from excessive recoil. Pressure has nothing to do with recoil. Personally I think the 1 1/8 load using 7 1/2's would be all you need Joseph and I'd stay away from the 1 1/4oz load. That's pretty stiff. Buy some 1 1/8oz trap loads with good hard shot. That would be a 3 dram load @ 1200fps. More than enough to kill a bird.

So 1 1/8 at 1250 fps preferred over 1 1/4 at 1220?

I do have some federal Ultra target loads that are pretty close to what you described.

[Double Lab]

Originally Posted by Joseph Sheerin

So 1 1/8 at 1250 fps preferred over 1 1/4 at 1220?

I do have some federal Ultra target loads that are pretty close to what you described.

I repeat- 1 1/8oz at 1200fps is all you will need. The Federal target loads should do fine as long as they are 7 1/2 or 6.

[James L. Martin]

For a 12ga Daryl is right, the best load you can shoot would be a High end trap load. 3-1 1/8-7 1/2. I like AA or Federal paper ,as long as 7 1/2 works for the bird you are hunting.

[Randy Roberts]

Joe have you had your barrels measured by someone qualified to do so to determine the critical measurements needed in order to determine what type of load may or may not be safe to shoot in your gun. In my mind if this has not been done you will never be able to determine what is truly safe to shoot in your gun.

[Joe from MO]

Originally Posted by Randy G Roberts

Joe have you had your barrels measured by someone qualified to do so to determine the critical measurements needed in order to determine what type of load may or may not be safe to shoot in your gun. In my mind if this has not been done you will never be able to determine what is truly safe to shoot in your gun.

I don't know anyone around me that even does that..... The gun appears to be in excellent shape, still very tight, very little metal wear, etc. Just looks like it's been held a bit, because of way the patina on the receiver has developed.....