What's everyone using for ammo these days?

[Holeshot]

You are right about the quality of reloads vs. promo loads.

[Mike Murphy]

I've been using B&P 1.0 oz. loads at 1,160 fps in my newer guns (both Side x Side and O/U and find them to be pussycat loads. In my older guns its RST all the way. I especially like there 2 1/2 " 12 ga. MaxiLite at 1,125fps. Just shot a round of 100 sporting Clays with them in a 1882 Rigby Hammer gun. No problems at all and didn't see any difference in breaks from that which I get with the B&P shells. Of course the Rigby was chocked Full & Fuller.

[Jeff Christie]

Bruce- Your are both 1/ an officer and 2/ a gentleman. There is nothing wrong with being fair and honest. This is not a game for 'Cheap Charlies'. I agree with your philosophy. Jeff

[Double Lab]

Murph,
I use Fed SO wads in a great 3/4oz. load in either AA or Rem. hull. Low pressure and virtually no recoil. Check out the Hodgdon website for the details.

[Ed Blake]

I have been using the 3/4 oz loads in my 12s and they seem to break clays nicely. I need to make some up for a 20.

[Ed Mobraaten]

I have a Parker that was made in 1902 (thanks to this site for helping me figure that out!). Hammerless, G grade, Damascus steel barrels. It's been in my family forever and I'm interested in shooting it. I just took it to a gun shop today and they told me to never shoot it as it was designed for black powder and that the way the Damascus barrels were made (spun?) made them risky? Is this right? Is there some modern load I can get easily to shoot sporting clays safely? Very intersted in shooting the gun that my grandfather and uncles have used so much.

[edgarspencer]

Ed, There are two possible scenarios from which your gun shop drew their conclusion as the likely catastrophic result of shooting your gun.
They are A) that they saw some defect which would cause a failure, if shot with any load, black, smokeless or otherwise.
and B) they flounder in the ignorance that so many do, under the mistaken impression that twist or damuscus barrels are inherently unsafe with anything but black powder. I suggest you solicit the names of 'real' gunsmiths, and given that they determine that your gun is mechanically sound, buy a few boxes of RST Paper Light shells. These shells, loaded with a modern smokeless powder will not tax the barrels, stock, or your shoulder.

[Bruce Day]

Here's what Parker was using in 1910 for fluid steel and composite barrels. The distance of measurement ( 100 ft ) and speed equates to about a 1200 fps muzzle velocity.

[Ed Mobraaten]

Thanks so much for the comments so far. I suspect that these guys may not be the most informed. No mention of flaws, just a suspicion of Damascus steel. I'm going to try to find someone a bit more in tune with older guns. And, the list of ammo used in the past looks really helpful. Thank you! Will post what I find as I go.

[Bruce Day]

A person need look no further than ammunition catalogs from RST, Remington, Winchester and Federal to find suitable loads. Or load your own for even lighter.
I'll be shooting a 1905 Bernard damascus gun on registered sporting clays targets tomorrow using Rem STS 1 oz loads. I'm trying to make a good showing at the state meet this year, we'll see.