Steel Shot in Parkers

[J.B. Books]

Originally Posted by Bruce Day

Ed, I agree the issue is food for thought. And who knows how long we will be able to shoot lead in these old Parkers"? Even now, some public lands you have to use non toxic and non toxic is costly, not that bad for hunting but how about clays shooting? We may find that we have no economical choice but to use steel if we want to shoot Parkers. I'm glad to see that the issue is being discussed by those who approach the matter on a technical basis.

Robert, the Roster article agrees with you about not using full choke.

What do we think is going to happen to the value of classic doubles if/when lead is banned for target shooting and hunting?

Small bores have pretty much been eliminated from waterfowling by their inablility to handle large steel shoot sizes due primarily to lack of room in the hull for a shot charge with enough enough pellets for adequate density.

Such a ban would reduce my interest in classic doubles that I would keep a couple of guns suitable for waterfowling with bismuth and that would be about it.

Dean, are you making fun of my cheerio reloads? For what it's worth they are working perfectly in 3/4 ounce 12ga reloads and allow me to shoot a very nice light loading with whatever wad I have handy.

[Bill Murphy]

The value of vintage guns unsuitable for regular use (pre Sherman Bell) had gotten pretty high. Of course, the value has become even higher now that we are shooting them. A steel or no tox mandate will not affect the value of a good collector gun. For many years before Damascus became "safe", I was shooting my composite guns with Briley tubes and continue to do so with guns so equipped.

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by Pete Lester

Dean, are you making fun of my cheerio reloads? For what it's worth they are working perfectly in 3/4 ounce 12ga reloads and allow me to shoot a very nice light loading with whatever wad I have handy.

Actually Pete, No. I think a core of compressible material might mitigate the possibility of ring bulges, etc.

[J.B. Books]

Originally Posted by Dean Romig

Actually Pete, No. I think a core of compressible material might mitigate the possibility of ring bulges, etc.

Dean I beleive the cheerio is reduced to dust in a nano second as the load initially accelerates long before it reaches the choke.

In fact I have tried using multiple cheerios as the sole filler in short 10ga loads with disappointing results. Using 6 cheerios with 1 1/8 ounce loadings seems to produce a large number of functioning squib loads per 25. They break the targets, all wads clear the barrel, but the majority of shells just don't quite sound right. I suspect the cheerios filler is not providing the resistance at the time of ignition that is needed for proper ignition of the load. The star crimps were tight and right with no rattle of shot.

I have come to the conclusion through my own use 1 cheerio in a 12ga wad to shoot 3/4 ounce is fine. 1 cheerio added to fiber filler wad to get shot column where it needs to be in 10ga is fine. Multiple cheerios used in lieu of standard filler wad not so good.