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I have a 1939 vintage L.C. Smith Field Grade, Featherweight Frame side by side with 2 3/4 inch chambers. My question is,what should I keep me pressures regulated to for my reloading in this gun? I would really hate to cause any harm to this gun, but it would be a shame not to shoot it and enjoy!!
Thanks, Jason

First Jason, welcome to the 16g Society, and you might enjoy the LC Smith Collectors Ass. site also http://www.lcsmith.org/
Check this and next few pics on the 'Repairs and Restorations' PictureTrail http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?&p=999&uid=6511424&gid=15127852&&imgid=234515006&offset=1550
The LC action is plently strong for modern loads, the problem is the effect of recoil on the...uh...delicate wood. I've had the head of the stock and around the lockplates glasbedded on my 16g and 12g LCs, and am now perfectly comfortable using any 1 oz 16g or 1 1/8 oz 12g load. I do, however, only use 7/8 oz loads for clay targets-easy on me and the guns.
Let us know what part of the country you are from, or send me a PM, and we can recomend a LC specialist smith that could do a good check and clean, repair any existing cracks in the wood, and glasbed the stock-then NO WORRIES MATE Very Happy

revdocdrew,
Thanks for the info, Yeah the wood is oh so delicate. That was me major concern.
I'am not sure if glassing it is in my buget right now, but will be in future.
Luckly for now there are no cracks and appears that the gun was shot very little
Thanks, Jason

Member Joined: 08 Nov 2005 Posts: 3438 Location: Illinois

The wood is the weak link here you can load lighter loads using filler wads to help bring those pressures down Wink

Thanks for the reply.
Just how low sould I keep my pressure and still be on the safe side.
The loads I have right know are at 6800 psi. Should I be safe at that? Or do I need to go lower??

Jason, as you know, you load low pressure to protect the action, low recoil to protect the wood. Low recoil means light loads at slower fps. 7/8 oz loads at 1200 fps or less should be fine and are delightful to shoot. And pressures below 7500 psi should be great. Remember..."The only gun in the world guaranteed to shoot any NITRO POWDER made and NOT GET LOOSE." (from a 1901 magazine ad) and "...the longer you shoot a Smith gun, the tighter it really gets." (from the 1901-1903 catalog) Cool

Revdocdrew,
Thanks again, Its hard being new to shotgun reloading and sifting thru all the info there is. I had hoped keep it below 8000 on the pressure side would be ok for the gun. The last thing I want to do is hurt my elsie!!
The loads I had made up are from the lpw load info the are fiocci hulls and primers 1 oz shot, bpi sg16 wad, and 22 grains of 800x. I think it will be a nice soft load. I was going to go with longshot but every on said how it seemed to recoil more than some of the others. What are your expieriences with it? Is it softer shooting at the low pressure side?

Jason-I quit reloading awhile back when I was shooting WAY too much trap and sporting and it stopped being fun Rolling Eyes

Sorry, but I tried to find the formula that Dave used for the 7/8 oz loads he made for me but couldn't, you might PM Dave M.

Found Dave's formula-except the important part Rolling Eyes

Cheddite 2-1/2" hull, SG-16 wad, 3/4 oz. lead
around 5000 psi @ 1150 fps.

Member Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 1545 Location: Michigan

Dave,
That would be great, thanks. 3/4 and 7/8 loads if you have them.
Thanks again, Jason

Member Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 1545 Location: Michigan

Dave,
Thanks again, cann't wait to try these sould be nice shooters!!