Thin barrels are not the only reason for RST shells. I was shooting a Toledo Arms 20 ga. pump gun, with low pressure, roll crimped, 2 1/2" reloads. It has a full choked barrel and just crushes birds. The barrels are a surprising Krupp steel but 115 years is a long time on these early pump guns. Missed low five for a 25. You would think after a hundred years that gun would know how to hit a flat bird. I will have to try again.
I did check the barrel wall thickness and they were more than adequate for use but it was designed when factory shells were a lot lower pressure than today's factory shells. I do love RST shells but they are a bit pricey to me at $13.00 per box.
I can easily find 20 ga. empties for free at the club. Trimming them to 2 1/2" is very simple. Reolading on a MEC single stage loader and then roll crimping. Total per box cost is just over $4.00 a box. This is my standard low pressure load for all my classic gun needs. I also have a star crimped version when I am doing large volumes on my Spolar reloader but I just think a roll crimped shell ought to be used in a fine double. Just like paper, with Red Dot powder, are the perfect smell combinations on a cool Fall morning.
