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10-15-2009, 04:10 AM
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Anybody that would shoot steel or Hevi-Shot (other than Classic Doubles) through a damascus gun needs to have their head examined. Pay no attention to Bruce, he's not a duck hunter and knows pretty much nothing about what shells to use for them in old guns as is obvious by his above post.
The cream of the crop as far as non-toxic, double gun friendly, duck loads is either the NiceShot loads from RST or the lighter charge Kent Tungsten Matrix shells. I've shot a lot of the 1 1/4 ounce Kent stuff through 12 gauge Parkers and it's deadly though probably the lighter 1 1/8 ounce shells would be easier on the old guns. I've used the RST 10 gauge NiceShot loads and they're absolutely terrific. I've not had a chance to try the 12 gauge ones but I'm sure they're equally good as that company doesn't put out a bad shell. The great thing about RST is that all their shells are made with old guns in mind so the pressures are low and the recoil light. I can't say that about the Kent ammo, but the shot won't damage old barrels for sure, even damascus if the loading is reasonable. Your other choices are the Hevi-Shot Classic Doubles (not the regular Hevi-Shot) and the new bismuth shells from Pinnacle. I've never used either but have heard they're both decent. I've used the old brand bismuth quite a bit and it was fine so I'd say the newer stuff is fine as well. The one drawback to all this stuff is price, for a standard 12 gauge shell with a 1 1/8 ounce charge you're looking at $2.75 to $3.50 per cartridge depending on which you go with. It's the price you pay for wanting to use an old double for waterfowling. But, I can assure you, the satisfaction you get with taking birds using your Grandfathers gun will far surpass any you'll get from shooting them with a Benelli or other modern fowling piece. Here's a link to RST: http://www.rstshells.com/ If you're buying anything short of a case you'll have to contact one of their dealers but that information is on the website as well. The rest of the stuff can be ordered through the various online sources and some can probably be bought off the shelf at places like Cabela's and Bass Pro. Good luck and good shooting, I've been killing about 90% of my ducks and geese with Parkers for the past 10 years and I wouldn't change a thing even if the ammo is high dollar. Regards, Destry
__________________
I was as virtuously given as a gentleman need to be; virtuous enough; swore little; diced not above seven times a week; went to a bawdy-house once in a quarter--of an hour; paid money that I borrowed, three of four times; lived well and in good compass: and now I live out of all order, out of all compass. Falstaff - Henry IV |
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10-15-2009, 05:10 AM
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Destry is spot on with his recommendations. I started shooting Bismuth loads through a Parker in 94/95 and all I could find at that time was 1 3/8 oz in 2 3/4" 12ga. They worked fine and never hurt my gun. However, I would have preferred a little bit lighter load. Around 2000 I started reloading loose Bismuth when it became available. Reloading put me in control relative to shot weight, velocity and pressure and it cut the cost of shooting Bismuth significantly over factory loaded shells but it still ain't cheap.
One question no one as asked, what shape is your gun in, what is the condition of the bores? What frame size and weight of gun are we talking about? These factors would determine how heavy and how "hot" a load I would put through it. Destry didn't mention ITX shot from Precision Reloading. Most likely because I don't think it's available in factory loaded shells. It is supposed to be classic shotgun friendly but I have read it is still pretty hard. I have got a lot of old loose Bismuth on the shelf, when it runs out I will most likely buy more and perhaps some nice shot. Waterfowling with a Parker is great fun and very satisfying. I think Destry can attest that shooting a Parker for duck and goose hunting will make you a member of a very small fraternity. Be careful and have fun, it's a blast! |
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10-15-2009, 09:36 AM
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Pete and Destry are spot on. In factory loaded non-tox, my standard recommendation for old doubles is currently 1 1/8oz Hevi-shot Classic Doubles or RST Niceshot loads...my club has bought 15,000 rounds of custom Niceshot RST pigeon loads from Morris and Alex and (other than the cost) we are very, very pleased with them.
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10-15-2009, 10:37 AM
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RE: Steel shot through damascus...I thought I had it figured out, but now am a little confused...
In this thread we have a serious waterfowler saying you should have your head examined if one should consider shooting steel shot through damascus guns--and others with long-in-the-tooth experience apparently agreeing with him. Then in this same thread we have another that prefers the uplands, but is an occasional waterfowl hunter that has shot steel shot through open-choked heavy-barreled damascus guns with no ill effects...this leads to my confusion...perhaps a Sherman Bell "Finding Out For Myself" article on the subject would be in order. 
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10-15-2009, 11:56 AM
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Sorry but I will have to disagree with Bruce again on this same subject. Shooting steel through these guns is not a good idea, bad wad scored barrel, and if you are shooting premium ammo like Hevi shot then the cost is not much more for Kent TM or RST, besides how many shells are you going to shoot.... Bruce I've said it before and I'll say it again, why take the chance, besides the effects of steel shot in older barrels you have the effects of hot loads like the Remington through guns that have 70 to 100 year old wood and metal, why would you want to do that to your gun and to tell someone who is a newbie to these guns that it is "ok" to shoot Steel shot through them is just pure irresponsible...
 Eric
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10-15-2009, 12:21 PM
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I will leave the forum to others and have deleted all recent posts.
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10-15-2009, 01:18 PM
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Bruce,You do not have to leave... Just explain to us your reasoning and mindset on this subject.And maybe a great discussion would ensue.
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"Much care is bestowed to make it what the Sportsman needs-a good gun"-Charles Parker |
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| The Following User Says Thank You to Dave Suponski For Your Post: |
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10-15-2009, 03:07 PM
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Bruce has done this before, he'll return I'm sure. *rolls eyes*
You can't give out that kind of bad advice and not expect folks who know better to not speak up.
__________________
I was as virtuously given as a gentleman need to be; virtuous enough; swore little; diced not above seven times a week; went to a bawdy-house once in a quarter--of an hour; paid money that I borrowed, three of four times; lived well and in good compass: and now I live out of all order, out of all compass. Falstaff - Henry IV |
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