The heaviest shot charge allowed was 1 1/4 ounce. The ATA finally reduced the max load for trap shooting to 1 1/8 ounce in April 1940. That is probably why from the introduction of factory loaded smokeless powder shotgun shells in the early 1890s, the max payload in both factory loaded 10- and 12-gauge shells was 1 1/4 ounce. Pretty much worked to kill off the 10-gauge. While the 10-gauge had pretty much standardized at 2 7/8 inch, in those days 12-gauge paper shells could be had in the standard 2 5/8 inch length, and the extra length hulls of 2 3/4, 2 7/8, 3 and 3 1/4 inch. The longer shells didn't carry heavier loads, but had more/better wadding which many serious gun cranks considered an advantage. The "standard" 16-gauge shell was 2 9/16 inch and the "standard" 20-gauge shell was 2 1/2 inch, but longer 2 3/4, 2 7/8 and 3-inch shells could be had. The "standard" 28-gauge shell was 2 1/2 inch, but 2 7/8 inch shells were also offered. About 1906-07 our North American ammunition companies quit offering 1 1/4 ounce loads in the 2 5/8 inch 12-gauge shell, and one had to go 2 3/4 inch or longer for 1 1/4 ounce loads. The 3 1/4 inch 12-gauge cases also disappeared about that time. From their introductions in 1905 and 1908, Remington's John M. Browning designed Remington Autoloading Shotgun and John D. Pedersen designed Remington Repeating Shotgun were made for 2 3/4 inch 12-gauge shells. Interestingly, the Remington Hammerless Doubles still came with hang-tags which showed 2 5/8 inch 12-gauge shells, like this tag for a 1908 vintage KE-Grade --
- KE hang tag 372340 early 1908 vintage.jpg (124.77 KiB) Viewed 2585 times
However, from 1907 onward Load No. X8 only came in a 2 3/4 inch hull --
- 1907 NITRO CLUB loads.jpeg (353.94 KiB) Viewed 2585 times
I've got to believe waterfowlers were hand loading heavier 10-gauge shells for the big heavy 10-gauge guns like yours, or this Ithaca --
- Flues 10-gauge ad, Sept. 1915.jpg (176.4 KiB) Viewed 2585 times
