I'm confused by the references to "muzzle velocity" when comparing SAMMI data to CIP data. SAMMI velocity is measured @ 3 feet & is stated so in their published information. I always assumed that US manufacturers published SAMMI standard velocity data & CIP manufacturers published CIP standard velocity data.
I can find several references that CIP velocity is measured at 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) but have not been able to confirm this by any CIP published info I can find.
In looking at published Winchester, Remington, Hull Cartridge, Game Bore, Eley, B&P & Rottweil info, only Rottweil states the distance @ which velocity is measured which is @ 2.5 Meters.
If some manufacturers are taking SAAMI & CIP data & converting it to muzzle velocity w/o stating so comparison with manufacturers that publish data obtained by CIP or SAAMI standards doesn't mean much.
In looking at the offerings by Hull, Game Bore & Eley I was surprised that only Eley offered 1 1/16 OZ (30 gm) loads at
<1300 fps.
In the Modern Shotgun Volume II Burrard states that "So the fact must be faced that a velocity of 1150 fps is the biggest practical increase which can be made for a 12-bore 2 1/2" cartridge" (he is talking about the 1 1/16 oz load in game guns).
I'm thinking he might have been a little conservative on the velocity limit but I'm not positive at what distance the velocity was measured so he is probably not too far off base when compared to 1 1/16 oz Eley Classic Game loads @ 1295 & the B&P High Pheasant @ 1280 fps which are a favorite of mine.
I don't care what load anyone else shoots as long as they effectively kill the game but with the current interest in the high velocity loads I'm finding the traditional loads in the 1200 to 1300 fps range more & more difficult to find.
You might want to try RST's pheasant load: 1 1/4 oz 5 or 6, 1200 fps. Price listed on my sheet is $115/flat. Even with shipping, that'd be less than buying 10 boxes of the premium lead pheasant loads . . . at 14-1500 fps.
