Hey all, do you think it would be okay to use Fiocchi Golden Pheasant loads in my FN 16ga? The gun was made in 1945 and is chambered for 2 3/4".

Here are the bbl flats





Many thanks!

Greg

most any one ounce lead field load should be safe in this gun...

but, to be extra safe, consult with a knowledgeable gunsmith re shooting this gun with a specific load...

and if this is the load you are asking about...

https://fiocchiusa.com/shotshell/golden-series/golden-pheasant/16gp5.html

then, don't do it...

as it is too much for your old gun, in my opinion...

Greg, your gun has the common modern proof under the rules of 1924. And the Golden Pheasant only gives you 15 fps more velocity than do the more commonly seen "high brass" loads for the 16ga (1295 fps vs 1310 with the GP.) But if you really want to be safe, you could send 5 GP shells to someone like Tom Armbrust to have them tested for pressure. The rules of 1924 do include double and triple proof, and your gun doesn't show the proofmarks for either of those.

Hello COL nice to hear from you. Hope all is well with you. Thanks for the info. I just wanted to get a warm and fuzzy using this load. Wouldn't be using them all the time, just to knock down a bird or two (hopefully!).

Stay well!

Greg

The post-1924 and pre-1969 CIP Belgian 16g was proved for a service load of 600 kg/cm2 = 8534 psi + 10-14% (for modern transducer numbers) maximum service pressure; and proved at 900 kg/cm2 = 12,800 psi + 10-14%

CIP for both 65 and 70 mm 16g is service is 780 BAR or 11,313 psi; MSIP 900 BAR or 13,053 psi

I've never found a published pressure for the 16g Super-X 'Field' 1 1/8 oz loads but the 12g 2 3/4” ‘Field’ 1 1/4 oz. (presumed 1330 fps) was 10,750 psi + 10-14%. 16g would be higher.

The Golden Pheasant boomers are no doubt at the SAAMI max. of 11,500 psi

As painful as it is to admit, I must agree with ed
The weight of the barrels at the time of proof was 1.232 Kg = 2.72#. Weight of the gun is likely about 6# (what is the actual weight Greg?). Recoil will be > 25 ft/lbs with that load. Why risk a cracked stock on a very nice gun?

gee drew...was hit sum thin ah said...

Thanks all. Just a fleeting thought. I'll just stick to lower pressure /recoil loads.

Many thanks again!

Greg

The 16ga Golden Pheasant loads knocked the crap out of me and never patterned all that well in any of my guns.
I gave up on them years ago.