Thank you very much! As I thought, the pressures of the early loads were quite "strong". My question was generated because of a discussion with my gunsmith on the loads that would be suitable for a circa 1905 shotgun.
On the other hand, loads that were OK in a new gun in 1905 may not be advised in the same gun in 2017. The wood is now 112 years old. Pressure does not equal recoil, but pressure is what produces velocity, which generates recoil. Just because you don't rupture your barrels doesn't mean that you are not doing damage or accelerating wear by running it pedal to the metal.
