Keith,
I’m guessing that the manufacturers of shotgun ammunition know, exactly, what pressure is produced from every single loading they produce. They know exactly which components affect that level of pressure, and why. I’d bet there is far more testing of loaded ammunition than we would have guessed.
That said, there is exactly zero evidence to suggest that sharing that information with the end user would be a benefit to them. Leaving the answer to the question at “below SAAMI max” puts any and all responsibilities for the use of that ammunition on whoever bought it. They tell you straight up it could be the hottest stuff that they can get away with loading, and it is totally up to the consumer to make sure his equipment is up to it. They will be no “he said” in a courtroom when somebody guesses wrong on what they can get away with on their antique gun.
If somebody has a requirement for low pressure ammunition, they had better be sure they source low pressure ammunition for that requirement. I am stunned at the guys who are willing to take a guess that some off the shelf ammunition will be what they need for their old gun. Guys who I figure should know better, do it right here, all the time.
Best,
Ted
Ted, I totally agree that ammo manufacturers do a lot of testing of their product, and I said as much. However, I don't believe that keeping us consumers totally in the dark would do anything to protect them from any real or fabricated product liability claims. Thus far, the onus has been on the shooter to avoid ammo that produces excessive pressure for the design or condition of their firearm. Manufacturers have zero control if you or I decide to fire one of their 3" mag shells in an old rattletrap gun with lengthened chambers, thin barrel walls, and deep pits. A box flap warning to not use ammo in Damascus barreled guns leaves out a lot of guns that should never be fired.
Sometimes, ammo makers attempt to protect idiots from themselves, such as by making .357 mag cases 1/10" longer than the .38 Spl. so they won't chamber in weaker guns. But the hot Hornady LeverEvolution .45-70 cases are actually 1/10 SHORTER than the original length, so they would easily chamber in a Trapdoor Springfield. It makes no sense. I assume they have some printed disclaimer on the box advising shooters to use them only in sound modern firearms in good condition.
If there was zero regulation preventing frivolous lawsuits against ammo makers, such as the FOPA, I'd expect there would be a lot more lawsuits fronted by anti-gun Democrats in an attempt to bankrupt the industry. They already tried, and that continues to be something they want. In such an environment, you and I both know the plaintiff's lawyers would subpoena the manufacturers for their secret pressure data... and they'd get it too.
Providing us that same data would make for more informed consumers, and perhaps actually lessen liability. The fact that some makers of low pressure ammo happily provide pressure data suggests that it isn't making them more susceptible to litigation, or they would hide it too.
You say you're stunned that some fools would simply guess and use off the shelf factory ammo in vintage doubles. But that isn't nearly as stupid as the gun owners who support anti-gun Democrats... yet this place is crawling with them.
