Author Topic: New loads in old guns (Read 620 times)

olywa · « **on:** October 17, 2005, 01:27:09 PM »

The only shotgunning I've done in the last few years has been for grouse with my BPS 20 GA. I'm interested in going after some Mallards this winter, over dekes as well as jump-shooting in the creek bottoms. But I haven't done any waterfowling since the non-lead shot requirements went into effect.

I can either use my BPS 20 with a tighter choke tube or call a couple of old family 12 GA guns into service. One is a 1950's vintage Rem 870 with a Polychoke, and the other is a 1913 Winchester Model 97 with full choke. It sounds like the 20 should be fine inside of 35 yards with either high-base 3" steel loads in #4, or perhaps Hevi-Shot. But if I opt for either of the 12 GA guns, should I be concerned about using high-velocity steel shot in these older guns? What guidelines should I follow when using these older shotguns with the newer loads?

jh45gun · « **Reply #1 on:** October 17, 2005, 06:11:44 PM »

The 870 will handle steel and the nonsteel loads just fine and so will the polychoke just pattern using a mod choke or what ever to see what patterns best. You may want to try some of the new non steel loads too they work great. Pricy but great.

willysjeep134 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 23, 2005, 05:23:25 PM »

Winchester doesn't recomend any of their choke tubes tighter than Modified for steel shot. According to the little diagram on the back of the package a modified choke with steel shot will shoot just as tight of a pattern as a full with lead shot. The steel doesn't deform as much so you get a tighter pattern with less choke. I personally wouldn't shoot anything but lead or bismuth in that 1897. I wouldn't want to risk damaging such a peice of wingshooting art with steel shot, even though it is in a shotcup until it leaves the barrel.

olywa · « **Reply #3 on:** October 23, 2005, 07:05:28 PM »

Thanks, I appreciate the feedback. I'll stick with the 870 for ducks when the shots are longer than the 20 can handle well. And I think I'm going to have a good smith go over that 97 then I'll use it for grouse with light field loads.

jro45 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 31, 2005, 02:39:36 AM »

DO they make low brass 16gr shotgun with No 7 or 8 shot, shotgun shells? I have an old 16 ga double barrel shotgun with cocking hammers
and the metal is real thin in the barrels. I wouldn't want to shoot any high brass in this gun. I let my brother hold on to this gun but I told him not to shoot it but he likes to use it to get mistletoeout of trees. So if I could find out if those shells are made I could give him them.

dwl · « **Reply #5 on:** November 07, 2005, 07:02:18 AM »

jro45;

Yes, they do make appropriate 16 "low brass" loads. Federal load H160 is available with 1 oz of # 6,7 and 8 shot at 1165 fps. I use this load in an older, very light German 16 ga double. It is very pleasant to shoot, doesn't overstress the gun and performs very well.

Shot shell performance doesn't get much better with speed. In fact, unless the pellets get harder, patterns can get worse as velocity increases. People hunted birds for hundreds of years with velocities in the 1000 to 1150 fps range. These speeds still work today for lead pellets and put less stress on the gun and shooter.

I shot 12 gauge, 1 1/4 oz, # 5 1/2 shot at 1050 for the last two years in an old English 12 ga and no one remarked on how ineffective those shells were. To the contrary, everyone remarked how well that gun took birds even on long shots. That's because I can concentrate on the shot instead of the recoil.

This year the Kettner 16 ga has taken doves, pheasant and sharptails without any problem. Call your local dealer and ask him to order some Federal H160 in #6 and have a great time.

dwl