Reputable 12 ga guns in the 30s might all have been proofed at present day SAAMI max; probably some in the 20s or Winchester wouldn't have come out with it. Winchester came out with the 3 3/4 dr 12 ga. Super X load around 1925-7. Not sure about when 16 or 20 ga might have been souped up.

Just about all steel loads push the SAAMI max of 11,500 psi unless you reload. I see some 12 ga steel loads in my book as low as 7200 psi at over 1200 fps.....I see one 16 ga. 7/8 oz load at 8400 psi at 1300 fps. I think these loads would be OK if the chokes are like lite mod. or more open.

I do know a very good double man that shoots off the shelf 1300 fps steel in 1930s 12 ga doubles.

Last edited by 2holer; 07/04/11 02:14 PM.