RST shot shells?

[Gut-n-Tight]

Have you been using RST shotgun shells on your Pre- 1912 Germanic shotgun?

RST states that their (low pressure) shot shells are okay to fire in old guns including those with Damascus twist barrels. Raise your hand and sound off if you have done this.

My old hammer JP Sauer & Sohn SXS has been identified as having been made (thanks to our Guru, Axel) in 1896-97 when the only proofs were for black powder. As Nitro powder proofing did not begin until 1912 this would explain that there are no Nitro proof marks on this 16 gauge. (See 'Black or Not' for full marking info.) I did fire off four Pyrodex (38 grains) loads thus far. I have a flat of RST 65mm Falcon Light 7/8 oz. shells arriving tomorrow. I am itching to shoot the old girl more than a couple precautionary rounds but also cautious. This brings me to ask our readers. Have you been doing with your old gun what I hope to do real soon with mine? Or, should I stick to Pyrodex? Bitte schon.

[Leatherman]

I have been using RST shells for years in all my 2 1/2? chambered guns . I use their light power version in all of them just so I don?t accidentally get them mixed up. I have Damascus barreled guns and after talking to Morris at RST , now Classic Shell Company, he convinced me that they were designed to not exceed black powder pressures. I attend the Southern SxS classic shoot in N.C. and they sell a lot of these shells to shooters there shooting their classic Damascus barreled BP shotguns. It is nice to see these old classics being shot again . I remember growing up being told not to ever shoot a Damascus barreled gun as they would blow up but Morris has tested numerous barrels and said if it is in good solid condition it should be no problem to shoot with his shells or even higher pressure loads as well. I?ll stick to the light loaded ammo.

[Gut-n-Tight]

Here is a photo of the SXS. Thanks for your input, Leatherman. It is helping me get my nerve up. My RST Falcon Lights in 7/8 oz. arrived. I tried getting a .001" shim into the breech, no go. The action is gut-n-tight!

[Gut-n-Tight]

Another photo...

[Gut-n-Tight]

Today was the day that this old SXS went to the range. After firing off a dozen tests using Pyrodex powder we nerved up and tested four of RST's 16 gauge 65mm 'Falcon Light' #9 shot 7/8 oz. loads. We then moved to the skeet range. It passed both tests and in fact I did as well with it as I did with my Rheinmetall SXS.