doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Hevi-shot pressure data

Has anyone come across pressure data from Hevi-shot? They don't seem to have anything posted on their website. I am trying to compare their 12 ga. 2 3/4" Duck load (1 1/4 oz, 1300 fps) vs. their Classic Doubles load (1 1/8 oz, 1300 fps).

Thanks in advance, Doverham

In looking at Kent Tungsten Matrix as an alternative, Kent provided me with the following pressure information:


I also came across this 2008 article by Tom Armbrust on Kent TM loads. It is a little hard to follow in places but one conclusion he apparently reached was that TM shot produces a roughly 10% increase in pressure over lead shot (assuming other load variables are the same).
Armbrust

Doverham, I don't think there's been much focus on Hevishot pressure data in general because the stuff is too hard to use in vintage guns anyhow. And as long as it meets SAAMI standards, it's not an issue for those with modern guns. Re pressure for the Classic Doubles load, I recall asking about that myself when it first came out. Can't remember ever seeing an authoritative answer.

That heavy Kent TM load is bumping right up against the SAAMI service pressure limit.

Thanks Larry. When it comes to nontox waterfowl loads for vintage doubles, handloading seems to be the main option. The Polywad NICE shot seems a bit anemic except for close decoying ducks.


Based on that, I was a little surprised by this conclusion in Armbrust's article:



The gun I am looking at is a 1939 German 12 ga. nitro proofed with 70mm chambers. I will obviously have a gunsmith look at the barrels if I buy it but have been trying to figure out what my ammo options might be for waterfowling.

DH, did Tom Armbrust write the article, or maybe Tom Roster? In any case, a load that develops a pressure of 11,400 psi would not be appropriate even for modern CIP standard proof guns. Service pressure for those is close to that (about 10,800 psi, per the Birmingham Proofhouse), but I don't think it would be a wise idea. However . . . Kent does offer TM loads in their Gamebore line that are suitable for older American as well as British and European doubles. But they're a bit lighter: 1 1/16 oz of either 5's or 6's. You may want to look into those loads. I've shot a few pheasants with them and they seem to work fine. Assume they'd also do the job on ducks.