Carper1948

Apologies, had trouble with attachment loading .

Thank you Johnnytheboy, I have found this testing of 12b cartridge speeds very interesting, and where we have both Chronographed the same Brand/shot weight cartridges my results are in the same ball-park. I am using the Caldwell Pro with 6V led lit light bars; I reload all my C/F rifle ammo. I have used the SAGA brand of cartridges for many, many years and now they are no longer imported into the UK so I've had to look for alternatives, and it's been frustrating to say the least, because I've found Manufactures "claimed" speeds are factious/contentious and cannot be reproduced in real conditions; no matter what length of barrel is used. The 32gm SAGA 6's used to return speeds of 1310fps in 28inch barrel, 1354fps in 31inch barrel (extended 1" chokes) and 1380fps in 33inch barrel (extended 1" chokes) - Manufactures claimed speed was 1435fps, so not too shabby with 33inch barrel at 1380fps. Likewise the 36gm Saga 5's and 4's returned speeds of 1288fps, 1310fps, 1331fps respectively - claimed speed was 1400fps My worst encounter where I was seduced (conned) by Speed was with the premium Lyalvale Ultra 36gm fibre No4 Claimed speed of 1480fps. Well, with 28inch barrel chrono'd speed was average 1134fps, with 31inch barrel 1157fps and with 33inch barrel 1174fps? Regardless of what people views are on speed V decent killing patterns, I'm looking for the same, very similar, cartridge speeds, whatever the shot load, so I can maintain same lead on the target/quarry when that trigger is squeezed; I do not have to compensate for a slower or faster cartridge and at extended ranges up to 70yards it does make a difference for me. Anyway I have chrone'd some cartridges which I could not find on Johnnytheboy's list, and include this via attachment. Hope it may be of use to someone. Regards Carper1948 Roy's Test 1-12 bore Cartridge speed RESULTS.docx

I am going to probably get nitro steel posted to me as I don't think anyone local stocks it. Now by the sounds of it, it's expensive. How much should I be looking to pay for a box of 25? ================================================================================================================================================================================================================================ Current prices, August 2013, at my local dealer for a box of 25, 12 bore 3 1/2 inch Remington: Nitro Steel £29.60 and Sportsman Steel £19.59. Just picking up on some of the comments and experiences of other's using these Remington steel cartridges. Most shotguns will usually pattern differently with different cartridges; forcing cones, barrel length, chokes, MV speed of the cartridge and wad-type all contribute to this and it does take time and experimenting to find a "best" match. So, my experience and related findings are only with the 12 bore 3 1/2 inch cartridges in my two SA. I load the Winchester SX2 30inch barrel with the No2 for Duck and the 28 inch Browning Gold Hunter with the BB for Geese. The Winchester has a 3/8 Teague choke and the Browning a 1/4 Teague choke. I have witnesses that attest these Sportsman cartridges give clean kills out to 50 yards. The different MV speed of the two cartridges, 1550fps and 1300fps (approx. 83 yards per second) I find significant with crossing birds and relates to about 3 feet difference in forward allowance at 50 yards; using same size shot. With going away and incoming birds it is far less significant. You pays your money and makes your choice! Question Please. Has anyone here used the latest Eley Lightning Steel at MV 1650fps? My local dealer does not stock this. Regards

I am seeing some conflicting information here regarding MV speed of the 3 1/2 Remington cartridges. On the Sportsman Steel box it states 1550fps and on the Nitro Steel box it states 1300fps. For all my pigeon and game shooting I use a 32gram lead cartridge with MV of 1450fps, and with the Sportsman Steel I do not have to make any adjustment to forward-allowance out to 50 yards; for me it's just a natural, carry on shooting as normal, because it better matches my other shotgun cartridges. Now with the Nitro Steel at only 1300fps, I found I kept missing behind until I consciously made the effort to add extra forward-lead and when shooting at flighting widgeon or teal in the dusk, with that split moment of opportunity this was not-on, there was insufficient time to make the adjustment. So for me the Faster 1550fps Sportsman Steel gets my vote. Footnote - I guess if a person normally uses a slower pigeon and game cartridge, then the slower nitro steel might be the better match? Regards

Hello, Just adding my personnel experience after using 3000 Saga 12G cartridges with no misfires or any other problems. I changed to the Saga brand of 12G cartridges primarily because of the higher muzzle velocity averaging around 1450fps. This high velocity should give greater effective striking energy for a given size pellet and longer effective range. At first, using my 1/4 Teague-choke in Beretta 303 SA, I was whacking the pigeons and bringing them down but not getting the normal clean kills which was a bit of a mystery. After making a few inquiries I discovered Spanish shot size is slightly different to the UK shot size. I was informed that Spanish size-6 shot is actually bigger than the UK size-6, being nearer to the UK shot size-5! Well I changed the Teague 1/4 choke to the 1/2 choke and everything was back to normal ........well nearly, as I can now drop birds regularly at 50 yards with these Saga 36gram High-Speed 6's (UK 5's). The 36gm High-Speed cartridges do thump on the shoulder and I now use these mainly for evening roosting shooting where some of the birds will be at long range. For shooting over decoys I use the Saga 32gram Export cartridge, shot-size 6 again with 1/2 choke, which is a little easier on the shoulder. Hope this information is useful to someone? Regards Carper1948