What loads should I use

[Bruce Day]

Here is the Parker load table from the early 1900's Parker "The Small Bore Shot Gun" pamphlet. The heavy 12ga loads are quite stout by any standard.

I have never known any gunsmith who will tell a person what is "safe" to shoot in an old gun except for the weakest and most substandard of loads. Maybe others know gunsmiths who offer a safe load certification service; I don't know any yet I see that recommendation frequently.

Most 12's were pattern tested with 1 1/8oz 3 dram loads of smokeless from the mid 1890's on. If your gun is decrepit, reamed out, or otherwise faulty, don't shoot it with any load.