16ga.com ~ View topic - shell recommendation for Parker 16ga GHE (1929 iirc)

Joined: 27 Aug 2008 Posts: 58 Location: Austin, TX

Hi, guys!

I am looking for a shell recommendation for my grandfathers 16ga parker GHE. It has been too long since I have hunted with it so I need to get it back out in the field. Looking for 7-8's for texas panhandle bobwhites.

Last time I shot it was with "Gamebore", #7, 1oz, 2.5" but do not see a velocity marking on the box.

Preferably something I can order online.

thanks so much.

Joined: 07 Mar 2010 Posts: 483 Location: South Eastern PA

RST's are your best best when they are available. But, they are a bit pricey.

https://www.rstshells.com/store/m/3-16-Gauge.aspx

Joined: 09 Aug 2007 Posts: 444 Location: WI

Due to ongoing supply chain issues, you will find that even if you can get RST loads, you may not be able to get them in the shot sizes you're looking for.

Because RST has fallen way behind on production due to the aforementioned shortages that started during the pandemic, sadly they cannot be relied upon as a supplier of 2-9/16" (2-1/2") 16 gauge ammunition.

I have resorted to producing my own 2-9/16" loads, which considering my volume requirements is not much a burden on either cost or time. Because I am not able to find the 2-1/2" purple Cheddite hulls that RST also uses, I have been buying new unfired Cheddite pre-primed hulls. Then I trim them to 2-9/16"and skive them, and they load perfectly fine.

Joined: 27 Aug 2008 Posts: 58 Location: Austin, TX

Well NJ GSP, I am a buyer if you are a seller........
Scott

Joined: 26 Apr 2010 Posts: 3178 Location: NCWa

Are you interested in loaded ammo only, or can you reload if you obtained some shorter hulls?

Member Joined: 06 Oct 2007 Posts: 2350 Location: West MI

Would 1.125oz #6 bismuth (~290 pellets, by my chart) work for those birds?

https://bossshotshells.com/products/16-ga-3-dram-equivalent-shotshell

http://www.16ga.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=25299

OR

Blind squirrel here found these in the stash that I have no need for.
Full box 2 9/16" shells in perfect shape...box, not so much, PM if interested.

Joined: 09 Feb 2015 Posts: 824

That Parker should handle anything you stuff in it. Them parkers weren't made for the squimish. I am not a Parker fan but have owned a few. The stock angles never abliged my feel. But the gun was made to do the job without worry on the guns part.

Try here

https://www.clayshooterssupply.com/16ga/

Member Joined: 09 Jan 2013 Posts: 2170 Location: Florida

Those game bores should work just fine. I'd be more worried about the almost 100 year old wood than else.

The less recoil the better.

If the gun is in sound mechanical condition and barrel wall thinkness is good I'd shoot any factory ammo 1oz or less and 1200fps or less.

But that just me.

Joined: 27 Aug 2008 Posts: 58 Location: Austin, TX

Thanks guys for the responses, got out twice for birds but the brittany and I couldnt find any, so didn't consume any of my remaining 15 gamebores. Looks like there are some good leads here, thanks so much.
Scott

Joined: 17 Oct 2019 Posts: 456 Location: New Jersey

Reloading them on a 600 JR with the short hull kit is a piece of cake and you could get set up to load two flats for about the cost of two flats, that’s the press and all. After that you only need the components.

Joined: 12 Sep 2010 Posts: 1973 Location: Maine

What Skeettx said. Clay Shooters Supply has Gamebores - 2.5 inch 16 ga and 12 ga - in stock. I got mine for my 12 ga French gun for 179.99 the flat. If you hit it right, like I did, you can get 9.99 shipping.
I also bought a flat of 16 ga 2.5 inchers for a friend to run through his Darne and he's very satisfied with them.
The shells might be a little punchy in a light-er gun (like my French 12) but they work.

I would have no issue with running them through a Parker in good shape.

Joined: 08 Feb 2009 Posts: 1310 Location: Western WA

Been reloading bucketloads of 2.5” 16ga for a few years now, but were it not for the monthly club skeet shoots, I would jump on those Gamebores in an instant. They really look great, and the price is not terribly out of line.

B.

Joined: 03 Feb 2008 Posts: 830 Location: Adirondak Mtns

Are you sure the chambers are 2 9/16 and haven’t been opened up?

Joined: 21 May 2015 Posts: 128

A big x2!