"the change from paper to plastic hulls & card & fiber to plastic wads did not change anything"
I patterned c. 30s Peters Victor 4s and fully recognize it is impossible to reproduce the ballistics of a now 80 year old shell. It would appear however that shot shell performance, or response to choke constriction, has changed somewhat. Previous attempts by Armbrust to pressure/speed test vintage shells were too inconsistent for interpretation, he felt related to primer rather than powder degradation. And pressure was occasionally
increased related to stiffening of the case and wads. One would expect lower pressures to improve the pattern somewhat. It is also quite possible that shot today is harder with the addition of antimony.
At a pheasant range of 30 yds through a .030 choke. 1 1/8 oz. 3 1/4 dram @ 1255 fps. 116/152 = 76%
B&P MB Classic 5s at 30 yds/ .030 choke. 1 1/8 oz. 3 1/2 dram eq. @ 1330 fps. 171/191 = 89.5%
If someone is aware of a comparison of
modern paper case/fibre wad shells with plastic case/wad shells please post for our edification and thank you!
