Posted by Ridge Marriott on March 30, 2019, 12:33 am
The PGCA Forum General Discussion has some interesting historical replies currently on this interesting subject. Waterfowl and turkey hunterswill be interested to see current and early comparisons of LC Smith, Parker, and AH Fox 3 inch shotguns. Michael McIntosh penned an interesting article in the August, 1987 American Rifleman on the HE Super Foxes of Nash Buckingham and others. Opinions vary, but Fox, Charles Askins, Burt Becker, John Olin and Nash Buckingham definitely influenced the 1920's evolution of the long range 3 inch shotgun.
I have tested a Fox BE, LC Smith 3 in Long Range, and a HE Super Fox-all using # 4 and # 5 shot in 55 yard tests. Model 12 Winchester Heavy Duck 3 in used as a control. The Super Fox had the best percentage of hits with #5 shot by Super-X at almost 90%. The LC Smith was close with its Long Range # 4 Super-X shells reaching into the 80% bracket. Thirty inch circle-55 yards. Tests repeated with close to same results. Model 12 shotguns by Winchester usually averaged 10-12% less shot on targets with same shot shells used in the Foxes and Smith. Fox 1916 BE used 2 3/4 in shells.
Those are indeed remarkable numbers and are perhaps incredible for your Super-Fox. It's generally known that pattern efficiency (percentage) in 12-gauge guns with ducking size shot will drop off by 1 to 1.5% per yard in going from 40 to 60 yards. Witness that Capt Charles Askins reported on one exceptional Super-Fox that did 88% patterns at 40 yards, and 52% at 60 yards. That was with 3-inch/1/3/8 ounce Super-X's in an early overbored and heavily choked gun. Working backwards from your "almost 90%" at 55 yards, that would make your Super doing 100% at 40 yards, and still 100% at about 45 yards. Wow! One for the Fox record books!
In 1959, Nash Buckingham wrote to Edgar Caldwell of Memphis- concerning his HE Super Fox SN 30069, in which Buckingham quotes H.P. Sheldon on Burt Becker"as unquestionably the finest gun borer that ever lived". Mr. Buck continues: "We'll have to turn it loose this season with some of my #4s-coppered. You'll see mention of my gun in Lucian Cary's current article in True Magazine ""How far will will a shotgun kill"".
My HE Super Fox does pattern well with #4 and BB shot, enough to slay large Canada geese. Perhaps the smaller shot patterns were just a fluke or the wind influenced the patterns.
Progressive Burning DuPont Improved Military Rifle (I.M.R.) Powders were introduced in 1914. DuPont Oval was developed for the 1922 introduction of Western Cartridge Company’s 12g ‘Super-X Field’ 2 3/4” 1 1/4 oz. 3 3/4 Dram Equiv. shell. The Peters Cartridge Co. ‘High Velocity’, United States Cartridge Co. ‘Ajax Heavies Long-Range’, Remington Kleanbore ‘Nitro Express Extra Long Range’ (the boxes were marked “3 3/4 Drs. Equiv.”), and Winchester ‘Super Speed’ (also marked 3 3/4 Dr. Eq.) loads soon followed. Western’s 3 inch “Record” with 1 3/8 oz. of shot was released in 1923.
Western Cartridge Co. never marked the Super-X “Field” or “Record” boxes with “Dr. Eq.” stating only “Maximum Load”.
In c. 1927-1935 Western Cartridge Co. pamphlets “Super-X The Long-Range Load” (courtesy of Michael Harris), Capt. Chas. Askins listed the loads, some muzzle velocities (modern 3’ velocity would be about 70 fps less), some pressures, with extensive pattern testing.
12g 2 3/4” Super-X “Field” 1 1/4 oz. with measured 38 1/2 gr. DuPont Oval (11 gr. / Dr. Eq), 3 3/4 Tons = 11,480 PSI with MV 1400 fps, No. 4 shot; 165 pellets in 1 1/4 oz. Full choke. 30” circle pattern. Super Fox “special double gun” 40 yds. = 148 pellets = 90% 55 yds. = 118 pellets = 71% 60 yds. = 97 pellets = 59% 70 yds. = 65 pellets = 40% G.E. Lewis Magnum at 40 yds. = 138 pellets = 84% Ithaca at 40 yds. = 127 pellets = 77% Parker 10g at 40 yds. = 138 pellets = 84%
No. 6 shot (260 pellets in 1 1/4 oz.) at 40 yds. Super Fox – 244 = 94% Fox Featherweight – 214 = 82% Lewis – 216 = 83% 60 yds. Super Fox – 153 = 59% Lewis – 160 = 61.5% Super Fox at 70 yds. – 120 = 48%
No. 2 in Lewis gun 60 yds. – 71 = 65% 70 yds. – 37 = 34% Super Fox at 75 yds. – 46 = 42%
3” Super-X “Record” with 1 3/8 oz. at MV 1400 fps with 4.25 Tons psi = 13,160 psi No. 4 – 190 pellets per 1 3/8 oz. No. 2 – 130 pellets Smith Long Range No. 4 at 40 yds – 87% No. 4 at 60 yds. – 53% No. 4 at 80 yds. – 26% (one shot) No. 2 at 40 yds. – 87% No. 2 at 60 yds. – 53.5%
Pattern testing by David Williamson with .042" choke 32" LRWF at a measured 80 yards using 3” Winchester (plastic) hull with 38.35 grains of Blue Dot, Winchester 209 primer, Winchester AASL wad, and 1 3/8 ounces of #5 nickel plated shot. The average number of pellets was 246 and measured weight 1.353 ounce. Pattern % in 30" circle: 5.3 = 13 pellets, 8.1 = 20 pellets & 8.5 = 21 pellets.
Hunter Arms Co. Pressure Curve dated June 10, 1929, from the McCracken Research Library, Buffalo Bill Center of the West (found by Gary Rennles) and used by permission http://library.centerofthewest.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/WRAC/id/8149/rec/107 1” peak pressures by lead crushers so 10 – 14% higher by transducers 12g 3” “Record” 1 3/8 oz. shot = 13,250 psi 12g 2 3/4” “Field” 1 1/4 oz. shot = 10,750 psi