Low-pressure Factory Shells

[Mike of the Mountain]

Originally Posted by Bruce Day

The standard 12 ga load was 3 drams 1 1/8oz. The 3 dram equivalent today is 1180 to 1200 fps. You will be able to find many commercial loads in that category . Heavy loads used by Parker in 2 frame 12 guage guns were 3 1/4 dram 1 1/4 oz. Most shooters prefer light loads for targets and small birds .

BINGO!! No reason to beat yourself up or the stock with snotty loads when lighter loads will accomplish the same thing.

[Researcher]

The OP stated his gun is of 1926 vintage. That is four years after the progressive burning smokeless powder, high velocity, 1 1/4-ounce loads --Western Super-X, Remington Heavy Duck Load soon to morph into Nitro Express, Peters High Velocity, etc. came on the market.

Early Super-X 12-ga box, Super Excellant.jpg

NITRO CLUB 12-gauge, Game Loads, Heavy Duck Load #5CH.jpg

HIGH VELOCITY 12-Gauge, 2 3-4 inch, #6Ch, Blue Wing Teal 02.jpg

And a couple of years after SAAMI specs came into the U.S. arms and ammunition industry.

The issue isn't that will the metal of a sound gun handle these loads, it will, but do you want to subject nearly 100-year-old wood and your shoulder to the recoil forces.