doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Pressures

Does anyone have pressure data on Federal shells? In particular, I would like to know the pressures of their Game-shok load FED AMMO 12ga 2.75" 3.25d 1-1/8oz #4 item #H1234. I called Federal today, but no one was there that could speak to me at the time with that info. Any help would be appreicated.

Jason,
I spoke with Fed a few yrs ago on the Gold Medal paper Extra-lite. They were somewhat evasive. I would simply send five shells to Tom Armbrust (sp?) who will charge $5 a shot and you'll have specific data.

Another option is to purchase one of these.
http://www.shootingsoftware.com/pressure.htm
I have one and have been very satisfied with it until I got a Vista OS computer. Vista is a problem with their s/w.

RSI says on their Web site that they now have a VISTA compliant vesion of their software. You might check with them for an upgrade.

friends:

Armbrust or DIY is probably best bet for a snapshot. I'll lay money on the fact that the folks at Federal DO NOT KNOW, from lot to lot, the pressures of their loads, EXCEPT for the fact that it has passed the SAAMI pressure standards using the SAAMI statistical methodology.

As the powder changes from lot to lot, both in chemical makeup and in the amount necessary to acheive the velocity they seek, I can see why they are unwilling to say "ZZZ shell runs 95xx psi".

Also, remember, any info you get from a one-time test will be reasonably valid only for that lot of shells. Get another lot, change any component, and the info ceases to be really useful but becomes historical data.

Regards

GKT

Hi Jason,
You've received good answers above. The best way to get low pressure shells, IMO, is to reload. Follow the data in the booklets put out free from the powder makers. Chuck's answer is correct, but expensive and Greg's answer makes sending samples to Tom Armbrust a temporary story, at best. Reloading is not the money-saver it once was but it's still cheaper than buying shells from companies specializing in low pressure, specialty shells.

Jason, Jim is right, I should have said that if you are going to the trouble of sending test samples to Armbrust or testing yourself with the equipment I recommended, you should purchase a large quantity of the same lot that you tested. This would ensure you have good data for that lot.

The point Greg makes is a good one to remember; manufacturers of ammo typically do not have a pressure goal/specification that they load to except to be under the SAAMI limit (for US makers). Their goal is to meet the velocity specified for the load. They acquire large lots of powder that are not controlled in the same manner that consumer powders are controlled and since they can switch powders at their discretion, pressures for a particular product line of shells may vary enough to be of concern.

For what it's worth, the pressures I've measured with my equipment have been as much as 1000 psi different than reloading manuals have stated for the particular load. Some have been very close. IMO, loading manuals will keep you safe, but pressures may still be further off than most would like to believe.

Thanks for all the replies. I am just going to have to start reloading again IF I want to be sure on pressures. My main hunting double is an L.C. Smith Field grade made in 1940. I just don't want to mess it up with high pressures that some modern light loads produce.

Jason,
An LC made in 1940 will handle modern loads just fine, IMO. I have shot a mid '40s LC with Wallyworld loads (Federal) for years. You may consult with others, but I recall asking about a similar (slighty earlier) gun, and the replies from those I trust, I believe, were that the pressures of that time were about the same as today.

Jason:

Todays SAAMI standards ( 1992) are essentially the same , except for some statistical methodology, as the 1925 SAAMI standards.

A post 1924 - designed American double gun, by a major manufacturer ( Ithaca , LC Smith/Hunter Arms, Parker, Winchester) will stand the pressures of modern shells just fine.

What may cause you grief will be the recoil shock - the impact from heavy loads at high velocities on a stock head that may be oil soaked, punky, or cracked from years of abuse. Make sure the stock is sound. Or you can shoot loads that are a little less zippy - Ill bet dollars to doughnuts, and have the ballistic data to back it up, that the 35 yard duck you are shooting at cannot tell whether the muzzle velocity of the 1-1/4 ounces of Bi/Sn you have launched at him has a muzzle velocity of 1150 or 1350, but your shoulder and the stock head can tell.

Reloading is a great way to tailor the load to the game.

Regards

GKT