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Among my shotguns I have an old Fox Sterlingworth 12 gauge. The chambers have been lengthened to 2 3/4", and I generally use only Federal paper cased 3 dram, 7 1/2 trap loads in it (which it shoots very nicely, if not a little on the tight side pattern-wise). I have two boxes of RWS/Rottweil spreader loads that I bought about 15 years ago but never used. I am at a loss trying to figure out how mild or powerful they are. The markings on the box are 12/70 for 2 3/4" chambers, 1 1/16 oz of #6 shot. This much is clear to me, but there is no marking for dram equivalent, grains or f.p.s. They are a brown color, high brass, paper cased shell. I e-mailed the company, and they replied that it is 1.75 g or 27 grains. I don't want to be a pest to them, but I'm still in the dark as to what this means in terms of load power. Would any of you reloaders be able to decipher this?

Member Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 425 Location: Maine

27 grains of powder.. My guess is they are a higher velocity load, but you'd have to run a few over a chronograph. Maybe use another 12 gauge. Generally 12 gauge 1 1/8 oz. target loads use 18-22 grains of powder ie. green dot/Int'l clays, depending on hull/load combination. Hard to tell based on the available information. I assume you're concerned about heavy recoiling loads damaging the stock.

Member Joined: 06 Oct 2007 Posts: 2346 Location: West MI

3DE #7.5...how many oz's? You can google a DE chart once you know the oz's and find an aprox FPS.

12ga / 70mm=2.75" 1 1/16oz of #6...1.75g or 27 grains...pardon the ignorance & the RWS site wasn't very informative; is this a black powder load?

Member Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 425 Location: Maine

If you're looking for a spreader load for your gun, I'd recommend these:
http://www.rstshells.com/store/c/10-12-Gauge.aspx

I just received another reply from RWS, they stated that the velocity is 1230 fps. I'm just guessing that it's about a 3 dram equivalent, since most 3 dram - 1 1/8 ounce loads give about 1200 fps, 3 dram - 1 ounce loads give about 1240, and this is a 1 1/16 ounce load. My max load that I use in that gun is a factory 3 1/4- 1 1/8 ounce field load @ 1255 fps, so I feel comfortable with the RWS spreaders now. Thanks to all who got back to me.