SMOKELESS 16 gauge 2 1/2" low pressure

[Paul Harm]

I have a load data booklet from IMR and useing 700X at 14.5 to 15 grs in a Remington hull with 24gm or 1oz load only has at the most 7500psi. Same with PB with 18 to 19 grs - has at the most 7000psi. That's with any wad and primer combination. I only use Cheddite primers - about the same as Win primers - and Claybuster wads. Any of the above loads useing them are down at 6300psi or lower. I have used a Claybuster wad meant for 1 3/8oz load with only 7/8oz of shot. That wad is shorter, so a 2 1/2" shell can be used. Is it safe ? I don't know, but I feel safe loading at low pressures and useing the same powder, primer, and wad manufacture. I'm not telling anyone to do it. What I would do is load either paper wads or get plastic wads made for 2 1/2" shells from Ballistic Products.

[Steve McCarty]

Just today and only a few hours ago I finally got to shoot my GH with Polywad 1 oz loads with fiber wads. I had never shot the gun before! Was shooting trap. Lots of fun, and I discovered some interesting things about the load and the gun.

First, the Polywad 1 oz 2.5" shell shot like any other shell. It shot hard and when being put thru the tight F&F tubes of my GH it "dusted" them. The gun has a pretty low comb and there was no "air" at all. To hit the going straight away bird I put the bead (I really don't look at it) at 6 o'clock on the bird and it'd dust it. Fun. I'd put the gun along the track of the crossing bird in order to hit it.

The gun worked perfectly and the recoil felt like the recoil of any Double with a hard pad, neither soft nor hard, but just right. The #2 frame is heavy with those thick damascus tubes, but if one is not "carrying the gun in the bush" the weight makes no diff, actually I like it because it steadies the gun.

In short, shooting my GH at my local trap club was better than I thought it would be. I still like the SBT better tho, because of its higher comb and Silver's recoil pad.

Oh, even tho my GH sports 30" tubes it still feels short. But I have been shooting a Model 11 Remington which has a long action/receiver.