RST

[6pt-Sika]

Originally Posted by Mike Koneski

Let's just use 12g 2 3/4" as an example. If your barrels are good, whether they are Damascus, twist or fluid steel, there is no reason why you can't shoot 1 oz at 1200 FPS out of the gun. No reason at all except for possibly the shooter being "recoil sensitive". Most problems arise when shot charges get bumped to 1 1/8-1 1/4 and your velocity increases above that 1220 mark. Then you may cause damage to the old wood long before you see any problems with your barrels or action. In my 40 years of shooting and 20 years in the industry, I have only seen two shotguns blow up. One was due to a flaw in the steel, the other was contributed to a bore obstruction while using known low-pressure shells. I have seen many handguns blow up though. Most from high pressure from low powder charges.

If my memory serves P.O.Ackley did an article in The American Rifleman back in the 50’s about Damascus vs Fluid Steel . He took four Parker’s two fluid steel and two Damascus . Started loading for them at what I assume would be RST level loads and worked his way up in velocity . All four made it past what would be considered a stout . And as he increased he split the fluid steel barrels and went further with the Damascus barrels I think if memory serves he stopped with the Damascus barrels because the frames had sprung or something like that . Now granted all four of the guns he used had mirror bores and a good many Damascus you run across now look rather rough in the bore . But it seems to me on an even playing field Damascus or twist oughtta hold their own against fluid steel . And by no means am I telling anyone to go out and shoot factory in their Damascus/twist barreled guns , but with a modicum of common sense you can most likely figure something out .

[Stan Hoover]

Originally Posted by Steve Parker

A few of us had purchased the Shenk Shells. The perceived recoil on both the target and hunting loads were significantly more than what we recalled from RST loads. I had the loads tested independently and the shenk shells measured at beyond 12,500 psi.

That’s worrisome, in shells that were advertised as being low pressure?