old gun, new shells

[Clark McCombe]

A novice question:
is it advisable or safe, to use new shells in an old gun, specifically 1 oz steel shot 1165 fps in a 1918 16 ga.
or 1 oz steel 1325 fps in a 1928 12 ga.
Now that I have these Parkers, I'm almost afraid to use them after doing some reading.
My son was looking at a new Beretta. I was trying to talk him out of it, but now Im not so sure...

[Dean Romig]

Don’t use steel shot - there alternatives in the realm of non-tox ammo. And besides, that’s too stiff of a load for those barrels and 100+ year old wood.

Be kind to your old guns. Shop around for appropriate loads. I try to stay below 1175 fps and below 7,000 lbs chamber pressure.

RST makes appropriate loads for your guns and they kill just as well.





.

[Stan Hillis]

I was just recently made aware of this offering to those of us with short chambered vintage guns. Looks like a viable option.

Twelve gauge, 2.5", 6100 psi, 1170 fps. Also available in 16 ga. Now, if they'll just offer it in 20 . . . . .

https://claysammo.com/armusa-12-ga-2...free-shipping/

[Clark McCombe]

Thank you Stan,
Im learning something everyday!

[mobirdhunter]

Clark, have you had your guns inspected by a knowledgeable person? Do you know the barrel wall thickness (bwt) of them? Always good to be safe.

[Clark McCombe]

Hi Garry,
I was reading about barrel wall thickness last night. I doubt the local gun shop would be able to measure.
Is there an annual meeting of the PGCA in the northeast where someone might have a look give an opinion?

[Bill Murphy]

Spring Southern Side by Side in Sanford, NC. April.

[john pulis]

Clark,

The Ace hardware in Hampton Bays is operated by a gunsmith who has a shop in the rear. Give the store a call. If I remember correctly he has a wall thickness gauge. A friend in St. James has one as well.

Gary Downy, Osprey Arms, in Central Islip also has one.

See you Friday.

John

[Clark McCombe]

What a deep rabbit hole I'm following.. not as simple as "point and shoot"
it's great fun and a great education!

[edgarspencer]

Originally Posted by Harry Gietler

SURE BLOWS AWAY RST Prices. Harry

Says the guy who's too cheap to pay $40 a year for an annual PGCA membership.

Clark, as the old expression goes,"Horses For Courses". There are plenty of Bismuth choices for using your Parkers for ducks. You're only going to shoot up a few boxes a year. If using inexpensive ammo is your criteria, buy the Beretta.
I may be at the far end off the spectrum, but I haven't bought a box of shotshells in many years because I load everything with recipes designed for the guns I shoot. It isn't to save a few bucks, it's to be able to shoot all of my Parkers.