L.Brown, Thanks for the advice. As you see from my post above I keep the pressure low. It's the shot charge that's vexing. My guns were all built pre 1898 and are proofed for the 1oz loads poular at that time. I don't think I can nail a No Dakota pheasent to the ground with 1 oz of shot. So I shoot the 1&1/8 load and it seems to work. At least it keeps me from thinking about it when I pull the trigger. Justin
Justin, I have a couple 1930's vintage Brit guns, Army & Navy (made by Scott), 2 1/2". Most of the time, I just shoot the Kent Gamebore Pure Gold 1 1/16 oz loads. But here's a reload, straight out of the Alliant book, that I've used in my tight barrel (or when the birds are flushing farther out in general) with excellent results:
Fed Gold Medal hull, Fed primer, Fed 12S3 wad. 22.5 grains Unique. That'll push 1 1/8 oz shot at 1200 fps, pressure 7300 psi. Or, if you can live with a bit less velocity (1145 fps), use the same hull and wad, Rem primer, 20.5 grains Green Dot. 6800 psi.
