Progressive Burning DuPont Improved Military Rifle (I.M.R.) Powders were introduced in 1914. DuPont Oval was developed for the 1922 introduction of Western Cartridge Companys 12g Super-X Field 2 3/4 1 1/4 oz. 3 3/4 Dram Equiv. shell. The Peters Cartridge Co. High Velocity, United States Cartridge Co. Ajax Heavies Long-Range, Remington Kleanbore Nitro Express Extra Long Range (the boxes were marked 3 3/4 Drs. Equiv.), and Winchester Super Speed (also marked 3 3/4 Dr. Eq.) loads soon followed.
Westerns 3 inch Record with 1 3/8 oz. of shot was released in 1923.
Western Cartridge Co. never marked the Super-X Field or Record boxes with Dr. Eq. stating only Maximum Load.
In a c. 1927 - 1935 Western Cartridge Co. flyer Super-X The Long-Range Load, Capt. Chas. Askins listed the loads, some muzzle velocities (modern 3 velocity would be about 70 fps less), some pressures, with extensive pattern testing.
.410 2 1/2 Super-X 3/8 oz., 1010 fps average velocity
.410 3 Super-X 3/4 oz. at 850 fps average velocity (the average trap load then 1 1/8 oz. at 1200 fps at 3) with under 5 tons psi =
15,680 psi28g Super-X2 7/8 case with 3/4 oz. No mention of Dr. Eq., MV, nor pressure
20g Super-X "Record" 1 oz. with measured 29 gr. (2 2/3 Dr. Eq.) DuPont Oval,
No. 7 1/2 shot (no MV nor pressure documented)
Cyl. Bore pump gun at 25 yards = 94%
Unknown double 1/4 choke at 25 yds. = 94%
3/4 choke at 30 yds. = 98%
16g Super-X 1 1/8 oz. with measured 32 gr. DuPont Oval (2.9 Dr. Eq.), MV
1500 fps ??(1 oz. 2 3/4 Dr. Eq. DuPont Bulk MV 1450 fps)
Ithaca Quail Gun
No. 7 1/2 shot, Modified choke at 25 yds. = 76%
No. 6 Modified choke at 40 yds. 182 pellets = 70%
No. 5 152 = 76%
Parker, Modified,
No. 5 shot at 40 yds. 170 = 85%
12g 2 3/4 Super-X Field1 1/4 oz. with measured 38 1/2 gr. DuPont Oval (11 gr. / Dr. Eq), 3 3/4 Tons =
11,480 PSI with MV 1400 fps,
No. 4 shot; 165 pellets in 1 1/4 oz.
Full choke. 30 circle pattern. It appears mostly 5 shots taken.
Super Fox special double gun
40 yds. = 148 pellets = 90%
55 yds. = 118 pellets = 71%
60 yds. = 97 pellets = 59%
70 yds. = 65 pellets = 40%
G.E. Lewis Magnum at 40 yds. = 138 pellets = 84%
Ithaca at 40 yds. = 127 pellets = 77%
Parker 10g at 40 yds. = 138 pellets = 84%
No. 6 shot (260 pellets in 1 1/4 oz.) at 40 yds.
Super Fox 244 = 94%
Fox Featherweight 214 = 82%
Lewis 216 = 83%
60 yds.
Super Fox 153 = 59%
Lewis 160 = 61.5%
Super Fox at 70 yds. 120 = 48%
No. 2 in Lewis gun
60 yds. 71 = 65%
70 yds. 37 = 34%
Super Fox at 75 yds. 46 = 42%
3 Super-X Record with 1 3/8 oz. at MV 1400 fps with 4.25 Tons psi =
13,160 psiNo. 4 190 pellets per 1 3/8 oz.
No. 2 130 pellets
Smith Long Range
No. 4 at 40 yds 87%
No. 4 at 60 yds. 53%
No. 4 at 80 yds. 26% (one shot)
No. 2 at 40 yds. 87%
No. 2 at 60 yds. 53.5%
Pattern testing by David Williamson with .042" choke 32" LRWF at a
measured 80 yards using 3 Winchester (plastic) hull with 38.35 grains of Blue Dot, Winchester 209 primer, Winchester AASL wad, and 1 3/8 ounces of
#5 nickel plated shot. The average number of pellets was 246 and measured weight 1.353 ounce.
Pattern % in 30" circle: 5.3 = 13 pellets, 8.1 = 20 pellets & 8.5 = 21 pellets.
Super-X 10g 1 5/8 oz about 4 1/2 Drams No. 2 shot Full choke 32 barrel, average velocity over 40 yds. 1030 fps; up to 13,000 psi by crushers = about
14,500 psi by modern transducers
60 yds. 88 pellets = 60%
70 yds. 49 pellets = 33.33%
80 yds. 33 pellets in 36 circle = 22.5%
Super-X 3 1/2 10 Gauge Magnum in Ithaca Gun Co. with bore .795 with 2 oz. shot; pressures about 5 Tons =
15,680 psiNo.
4 Lubaloy at 60 yds. 173 pellets = 59%
80 yds. 101 pellets = 35%
No.
2 at 60 yds. 112 pellets = 57%
80 yds. 67 pellets = 34%
Hunter Arms Co. Pressure Curve dated June 10, 1929, from the McCracken Research Library, Buffalo Bill Center of the West (found by Gary Rennles) and used by permission
http://library.centerofthewest.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/WRAC/id/8149/rec/1071 peak pressures by lead crushers so
10 14% higher by transducers
12g 3 Record 1 3/8 oz. shot =
13,250 psi12g 2 3/4 Field 1 1/4 oz. shot =
10,750 psiFeel free to take up the numbers with Capt. Askins
Will Rogers in a
New York Times column Slipping the Lariat Over in Sept. 30, 1923
All I know is just what I read in the papers, and that's an alibi for my ignorance.
