looking for low pressure 16 gauge upland loads for a vintage Parker shotgun

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stilchen67

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I am looking for low pressure 2.5 or 2.75 inch upland loads for my vintage 16 gauge Parker side by side shotgun--I am not sure how the law is written related to reloading--is it legal for me to pay someone to reload some of these speciality shells for me --if so any recommendations would be appreciated--I am located outside of London
Mark
 
stilchen67:

Mark: This site may be useful: http://www.16ga.com

This is the 16 Gauge Society site. Join the forum and access some of the low pressure reloading information shown there.

As for paying someone to load your shells: Most home reloaders would likely decline. Due to liability risk. Law requires any person who charges for the service to have an ammunition manufacturing licence.
Better to load them yourself. If you don't own a press then, possibly under the supervision of someone who does, and also loads 16 gauge shot shells. Using their equipment.

If you may want to reload your own shells, an inexpensive: Lee Loadall II, in 16 gauge, might be worth purchasing. Cost: About $160.

Al
 
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No problem to find 16 gauge ammo. The issue is finding pressure data for any commercial ammo, they rarely publish it. 2 1/2” ammo is not lower pressure than 2 3/4”, it’s just shorter. Velocity is also not a reliable indicator of pressure although high velocity in conjunction with heavy shot charges usually results in high pressures the reverse is not necessarily so. Published pressure ratings on specific factory ammo if you can find it is what you are looking for or reliable published reloading data that you can use with components that you can readily source. A basic solution, appropriate to black powder era guns is to load original spec black powder ammo which can be done with minimum tooling or fuss.
 
Ashcroft is quite right. Still, there is published 16 gauge load data available.

A good online resource: Hodgdon Reloading Data Centre. Has data which may be useful. Pressure is listed in PSI.
 
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The best current reference for black powder equivalent pressure loads -
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ttps://www.shootingtimes.com/editorial/blackpowder-shotshell-loading/361504
 
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How vintage is vintage?

If it is really old and Damascus barrelled you can make blackpowder loads for it. An MEC600jr press is not that expensive. Bilozir lists the press for $370.
 
Gamebore Traditional fibre wad 2-1/2" shells actually are loaded to lower pressures than other shells. I've seen the published figures at 8,400 PSI vs most modern shells at 10,000+ I have used the Gamebore traditional shells with complete satisfaction in a couple of very old vintage guns and they are kind to the gun and hard on birds.
Otherwise join the "16 ga. society low pressure reloading group" as previously suggested. I did that years ago and they do share some good information.
 
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