I have owned 7 HEs and a number of 3" LCs and heavy Parkers over the past 30 years. I currently own 3 HEs and one Long Range Smith and one #3 frame 34" Parker all with 3" 12 gauge chambers. I have no hestitation in using modern 3" Kent TM or Bismuth loads in them and do so as often as I can take them waterfowling. As these guns were developed to exploit the then new Western 3" 1 3/8 oz magnum loads (which were very stout indeed- I have shot them many times) I do not see what the fuss is about if the gun is in good condition and kept tight. Having said that my usual load is 1 3/8 oz of #4 Bismuth in a 2 3/4" case because I have a lot of them "in stock". I do avoid 1 5/8 oz loads in 3" 12 gauge mostly because they pattern poorly in my guns. As Burt Becker said, "...don't crowd the load". Good Luck on your quest.
Last edited by 11F; 03/23/12 01:34 PM.
