Titanic Steel

[Big Friend Ten (BFT)]

Why not copy (with permission) the Parker Load Tables from The Parker Story and put on the facts page?

[Bindlestiff]

Ok, I'll chime in and ask what specifically is incorrect with FAQ 32?

When I wrote it, I wrote it speaking to a novice Parker owner who asks the question because he wants to be safe and not damage the gun. I also wrote it without endorsing any ammunition product because I do not think the FAQ area is a place for endorsements of one product over another.

And most importantly, I tried to write it in a manor that doesn't open the PGCA up to litigation. This forum is full of personal discussion and opinion but in my thinking the FAQ area is more of an official PGCA area and we need to be careful on what we recommend there.

Sure, I have pumped heavy loads through my Parker when hunting and I shot nothing else when I was younger; I didn't know I had other selections, I just went to the store and grabbed a box of shells and headed off to hunt. I still may push "factory express" loads while shooting at a bird or two but not when I shoot a hundred rounds on the clays field.

If we want to bring history into this FAQ and post old statistics, I would ask, does this possibly open the liability door? And if so, to what purpose do we strive that we accept the added risk that some novice makes a mistake based on that information?

Any changes to the FAQ will take these areas into consideration. As you focus in on what you want to add, please keep this in mind.

I welcome any changes that will improve the web site and will make them as needed.

Thanks for all your help!

[Big Friend Ten (BFT)]

Robin,

It seems as people want to know specifics such as maximum pressure that a Parker can withstand. As Bruce has often advised, Page 515 of The Parker Story provides a guide for working pressures. It is understandable why the PGCA would not want to advise shooters without first inspecting each and every gun! Obviously that would be impossible. I included this in a new thread since this one has wandered from it's initial point.



--

If you want to read the words I retyped them in the new thread.

Mark

PS: Below is Fact #32:

Your Parker isn't new, it may look new but it isn't. It was made at best, decades ago, if not a century ago. Many advancements in metallurgy and gun powder have been made over all those years. It doesn't seem reasonable to expect a fine old Parker to withstand the same punishing standards that current manufactures expect from today's finest doubles.
Parker shotguns were made with several chamber lengths; have your Parker checked and shoot only the correct length, or shorter length, shot shells. In its day, articles were written that Parker shotguns actually patterned better shooting shot shells longer than the chamber size. The logic was that the "role crimp" would open into the barrel increasing pressure and improve shot patterns. That may or may not have been true but today's star crimp shells will certainly open further into the barrel and in conjunction with today's powders create much higher pressures.

Metal may fatigue as a result of age and oil soaked wood will be weakened. Shooting modern, heavy commercial hunting loads in these old guns have been the cause of many cracked or broken stock wrists.

There are several manufactures that have recognized a market for shooters of older shotguns; who's owners want to "take it easy" on the older gun but also want it to perform well both on the range and in the field. Search these manufacturers out; buy and shoot the correct length shells in your Parker.

Keep the pressures low and your Parker will last another century.

[Dean Romig]

Robin, There is nothing "incorrect" in FAQ 32. I think what you have written there is very good but appears not to satisfy some readers.
And I can't speak to liability issues but there seems to be a general opinion that information such as that in Mark's post and original hang tag information without endorsement by the PGCA while we continue to caution the reader to have his gun inspected by a qualified Parker gunsmith or expert as to its condition and shootability... should satisfy most interested parties.

Dean

[Bindlestiff]

OK, how about FAQ #33?

Mark, does the table match what you could read. The fractions are very hard to read!

[Big Friend Ten (BFT)]

Robin,

Pete was able to double the size and repost the add with the table. I still can't tell if the fractions are 1/2 or 1/4 oz but it gets us in the ballpark.

http://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=3266

Mark

[CSL]

.

They are shotgun shells, educate yourself, know your gun, and make the best choice for you.

A "357" under the hood of a mid-60's Vette?... That's a new one on me...

Best, CSL
_________________________________

[James Brown]

CSL You are correct. I hit wrong number. It should be 327/250. Thanks
James

[Dean Romig]

A 357? What's so odd about that? Keeping one under the hood however, isn't easily accessible.... why not keep it under the seat??

[James Brown]

Probably should be on passenger seat, help keep the "Chicks" at bay. Cause if one got in, "she who must be obeyed" would have me OUT. My post was not in any way meant to misdirect this thread, just a sorta feeble attempt at a humorous response to the "vette" analogy.
James