I bought an L. C. Smith 12 Ga. Field Grade, manf. 1903, with Armor Steel barrels. I shot c. 15 rounds of Remington black hull, low base shells marked "3 1/4 - 1 - 7 1/2," i.e., 3 1/4 dram equivalent powder, 1 oz. shot, 7 1/2 size shot. I do not consider that a hot round.

I got home and noticed the stock was split right by the tang. I took it to the FFL gunsmith I bought it from who consulted with 2 other gunsmiths. They both said the split was my fault because the gun was not designed for hot loads. I do not consider those shells hot loads.

The seller is going to pound brass brads coated with wood glue into the split and force more glue into it.

Is there any power load I can buy that I can safely shoot in this gun?

hotspur.calls@gmail.com