My 1901 vintage #1 frame Parker GH 12 ga is finally ready to go. The action has been rejointed and barrels brought up to snuff by an English 'smith who specializes in this kind of thing. I'm looking for low pressure smokeless loads for this ol' gal. I don't intend to shoot anything but light loads in it (and not very often, either) since it is choked skeet & modified and will be a more or less "nice weather, little-bird gun." Just the ticket for quail, and the odd clay target, I think. I would prefer to shoot smokeless, but I'll take blackpowder data if you have it.
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<br>Thanks,
<br>Rick

416 I don't believe that I would shoot smokeless in your fine old Parker. This is the reason. If it has damascus barrels it was made for black powder and the burn rate/pressure curve of smokeless and black is different. Black spikes early that is why the guns were made with thick chambers (relatively) and barrels that could be paper thin at the muzzle. By the time the shotcharge was at the muzzle the pressure had dropped to almost nothing. Smokeless on the other hand carries the pressure curve forward putting more strain futher out the barrels.
<br>There used to be a shot gun powder that was supposed to give the same pressures as black and do it in the same way. I can not remember the name and I don't think it is made any more. Hercules, now Aliant made it.
<br>The old standard for black powder was equal VOLUMES of powder and shot. That is why it is still printed on shot shell boxes the Drams equivelent data. ie. 2 1/2 Dr eqv (this if for black powder but loaded with smokeless) 1 oz. (shot wt.) 8 (shot size). Or as it usually appears. 2 1/2 -- 1-- 8.
<br>You can convert this to a weight measure as there are 27.3 grains in a Dram (Advp.)
<br>I believe you could do the same with pyrodex or the newer bp replacment powders that are made to load as a volume for volume replacement.
<br>Sorry I couldn't help you more.
<br>BCR

Thanks for your reply. I am aware of the differences between the powders, and you're right to err on the side of caution. Still, I have some load data that is as low as 5500psi with 7/8oz of shot...prety darn low. I know that is an awfully light shot charge, but this is just a fun gun anyway. Better than being religated to someone's closet for eternity. That's why I restored it. I have talked with a few guys over at The Vintagers website and they do this stuff all the time. I'll keep looking and be really careful.
<br>I should have the gun back in a few days.
<br>Thanks again
<br>Rick
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IMR's reloader's guide is rich with low pressure loads, including many that use 7625 to launch 7/8 oz. loads at 1,200 fps and generate less than 5k psi. I recently used a load in my nitro-proofed Damascus hammergun that produced some 3,800 psi for the same payload and it worked well after being left outside for six hours at 24F. No bloopers. Also, Sherman Bell's articles in Double Gun Journal end the myth that all nitro powders continue their burn way down the barrel. The 3,800 psi load produces less pressure than black powder for which the gun originally was intended. Parker's Damascus barrels were quality and prudent loads using 7625 or PB won't make you a member of the Royal Order of Nine Finger Shooters.