16ga.com ~ View topic - Help With 2 1/2" Shells

Joined: 09 Sep 2006 Posts: 863 Location: NoDak

Hi all, as some of you may know, I just purchased a 16ga Charles Boswell. While I have plenty of loadings for my "standard" 16ga's, 2 1/2" loads are new to me. I have narrowed my choices to two loadings:

RST, #5 @ 1165fps MV,6600 psi

Westley Richards, #5 @ 1350fps MV, can't find psi info on this load, but the website states they are within CIP standards

Both the above are 1 oz loads, they will be used for Sharptails and pheasants.

The gun itself is re-proofed for 3 Tons psi, and originally nitro proofed for 1 oz loads.

To you folks in the know, which load would serve my needs best? Or am I splitting hairs?

Any recommendations or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

In the future I plan on reloading, but would like some recommendations for factory loads (in case I get lazy!). Very Happy

All the best!!

Greg

I shoot 2.5" B&P High Pheasants in my Jeffrey and can highly recommend B&P from my experience. They sell by the case which is 200 shells for the 16ga, but shipping is free.

https://www.bandpusa.com/Shopping/index.php?cPath=1_10_12

Member Joined: 09 Dec 2005 Posts: 989 Location: Las Vegas

For my 1926 2 1/2" J. Needham, I prefer the RST. I also cut down 2 3/4" hulls and reload them to low pressure. Lots of recipe's available.

Matt

Member Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Posts: 1522 Location: NH

I shoot the RST 2.5" 5s in an old Fox Sterly as well as my Merkel 1620 on occasion. Great rounds and knock pheasants down without issure.

GJW,
The RST's look like the better choice but you may want to look into the vintagers by polywad. They are priced at $95.00 per 250 Wink

Charlie
http://www.polywad-shotgun-shells.com/

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

One advantage of the RST shells, you can get different shot sizes in one case. Say 5 boxes of 8.5's and 5 boxes of 6's. Others won't do this.

Joined: 10 Dec 2007 Posts: 19

are going to pattern very differently. They also suit different styles of shooting, the faster load suiting a game shooting style whereas the slower load more of a clays or sustained lead style. Neither is a problem is far as pressure goes, although the WR may have a bit more felt snap to it. If you fits you this should not be a problem.

You might look into the WR 7/8 oz load if you like the speed but can do with a little less snap. Personally I shoot both WR in my 5 lb 10 oz Beesley with no problems, but that gun fits me like a custom suit.