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The topic of proper and safe loads for Parker and other American doubles
is often discussed and not often agreed upon. The British do not have this
problem for long ago they mandated that each and every gun be proofed for
maximum service (normal use) pressure and load. This is stamped into their
water table.
Parker, being a good business, found it prudent to advise users of their
guns in the use proper loads. It would not have been good for
business for their light guns to be "shot lose" by sportsmen
using heavy loads.
PLEASE NOTE: The
Parker Reference data listed below are for BLACK
POWDER - NOT MODERN, SMOKELESS POWDER!
The data below is for
historical reference only, and as a historical reference courtesy.
In an original Parker print ad shown below, Parker Bros. stated:
Suggestions to Persons Using the Parker Gun
Parties using our guns are recommended to use
Standard Wadding. Wads, larger that the shells are not necessary, always
putting them down to place flat and square, otherwise the shooting
qualities of the guns will be greatly impaired.
If Brass shells are used we suggest two size larger wads than gauge of
gun. As a guide for charges of powder and shot to be used with the
different gauge and weight guns, we submit the follow as a basis, which
varies according to gauge, length of barrels and weight of gun, although
“the distribution” can be increased either by decreasing the
quantity of powder used, or increasing the quantity of shot. And to
produce better “penetration” increase the quantity of powder used,
or decrease the amount of shot.
It is on advantage to place a large charge of shot in a small bore, as
it only increases the column of shot in depth, but not in width. The
result of this is the shot get jammed and great friction is caused in
passing out the barrel. If large quantities of shot are to be used, the
proper way is to use a larger caliber of gun.
The exact amount of ammunition required to be used with each gun, to
give the satisfactory results to parties owning the gun, can only be
ascertained by repeated trials at the target.
Below we give a general formula for loading:
| Gauge |
Weight Lbs. |
Barrel Length |
Shot Oz. |
Black Powder Drams |
| 8 |
12 to 13 |
34 |
2 |
6 to 6 1/2 |
| 8 |
12 1/2 to 16 |
36 |
2 |
6 to 7 |
| 10 |
8 1/2 to 9 1/2 |
30 |
1 1/4 |
3 1/2 to 4 1/4 |
| 10 |
9 1/2 to 12 |
32 |
1 1/4 |
4 1/2 to 5 1/4 |
| 12 |
7
to 8 1/2 |
28 |
1 1/8 |
3 1/4 to 3 1/2 |
| 12 |
7 1/2 to 9 |
30 |
1 1/8 |
3 3/4 to 4 |
| 14 |
6 1/2 to 7 1/2 |
28 |
1 |
2 3/4 to 3 |
| 14 |
7 1/2 to 8 1/2 |
30 |
1 |
3 to 3 1/2 |
| 16 |
6 to 7 |
26 |
1 |
2 3/4 to 3 |
| 16 |
6 1/2 to 7 1/2 |
28 |
1 |
2 3/4 to 3 |
| 20 |
6 1/2 to 7 |
26 |
7/8 |
2 1/4 to 2 3/4 |
| 20 |
6 1/2 to 7 |
28 |
7/8 |
2 1/2 to 2 3/4 |
This table is obsolete today and the Drams
values seem excessive but that is what was printed at that
time!
This information is not for reference when
making or reloading ammunition but is intended for historical research
only.
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