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Since our good friend REVDocDrew and I have been bantering this topic about before our get together next week in the Dakota's. I thought I would open up this highly opinionated subject for discussion.

What's a reasonable Pheasant load to shoot in a vintage Parker/L.C/Fox etc that will do it's intended job well and leave these fine old guns intact.

I chuckled when another of our trip mates told me he was stocking up on 1500fps 12ga. 1 3/8oz # 4's.

My reply was that I was quite sure my DH, VH and Damascus hammer gun 16's would not appreciate me shoving a cannon load down their throats.
I have never had a problem shooting 1oz # 5's and sixes at early season Kansas birds with deadly results using good discretion on shot selection.

I'm also tucking away my modern sxs 12 for the heavy stuff if those S.D. cocks laugh at my old girls.

Cheers,
Brad

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

Brad, you're DH and VH will handle anything your shoulder can.
As for the hammer gun, that should be sent to Michigan for grouse hunting, with nice light 7/8 oz loads. Wink

Are you looking for reload info, or store bought ammo for the other guns?
I hear those BP F2's are good loads. I don't hunt wild Pheasant, so I really can't say. Isn't it boring walking around in those open corn fields all day long? Wink

Dave,

About the most I can stomach putting in my VH and DH's would be my
2 3/4 Fiocchi #5's ,1 1/8 1295fps. My VH is choked 0.18/0.29 so that combination should have a respectable punch to it.

The Hammer gun arrived about two hours ago from Dale Edmonds.
The check hook work that Russ Bickle did is exceptional and as usual Dale's work is great. The finished gun exceeded my lofty expectations big time !

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

I told you it would work, and make one beautiful gun.
I'm very happy for you, and jealous. Laughing

I see nothing wrong with sticking with this load: 2 3/4 Fiocchi #5's ,1 1/8 1295fps.

Guest

Member Joined: 16 Nov 2006 Posts: 1338

Member Joined: 16 Aug 2004 Posts: 317

RSTs. Need I say more.

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

I use the rem 1oz game load in my fox and lefeaver with good results and no problems with the weapon.

Joe

Perhaps you might break from traditional thinking and load yourself up some nice 3/4 or 13/16 OZ loads of 6's or 7.5's @ 1400 Fps and give the wood on your ole guns a rest and play havoc on the birds .

Regards Charles

Hopefully I will be able to get good results with the 2.5" RST 1oz #6's
and be done with it. I believe Morris told me they are around 6000psi which should make my girls happy including the "0" frame hammer gun.

If not I'll get out the Fiocchi's and put away the "0" frame.

Member Joined: 17 Feb 2007 Posts: 497

I had great luck withe Gamebore 2 1/2 - 1OZ - english No 6s on the Standing Rock Hunt. These shells have the traditional fibre (limey spelling) wads.

Joined: 28 Mar 2008 Posts: 1460 Location: Eagle, Nebraska

I have used the gamebore loads often too. I like them. They do not seem to reload well though, I like to roll crimp and these seem to need re-folded not transformed to roll crimps.

Joined: 09 Sep 2006 Posts: 863 Location: NoDak

Hi, i've had great success with RST #5 this season. No problem with knocking down birds dead. They work. I'm a great fan of #5 shot and even with 1 oz loads they work great, if.......you don't go crazy and try and shoot birds at over 40yds. I know, just common sense.

Anyway, my vote is for RST.

All the best!

Greg

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

RST 2.5" in 5s.

I use them in my older Fox Sterly with short chambers.