Fox Collectors

I’ve heard that RST "Classic Shotshell Co. Inc." was prototyping two new loads and just learned over the weekend they’re now in production. I thought our BBS and regular Fox Collector members would like to know about these two new developments. Yesterday I spent an enjoyable afternoon with Morris and Alex at their loading facility to learn more.

Both newcomers are classic type cartridges loaded to relatively low pressure, well suited for good double guns with short chambers. Of course they may also be used in standard or long chambers.

The first new load is called the Falcon Ultralite, made in 12 gauge with a ¾ ounce shot charge and put up in 2-1/2â€

I have been wondering for a while about this question. Is it ok to use modern shells found at say a Walmart or Bass Pro Shops in a Fox. I've seen the Fox ads guarenteeing the barrels to be 'Fox Proof' but was curious what the majority of shooters use.

Great info Frank. Those rolled paper shells look to be the cat's meow. Will these also be offered in say a purple 16 ga load? yellow 20 ga?

Mike

Will these also be offered in say a purple 16 ga load? yellow 20 ga?

Mike[/quote]

Now that would be COOL....RED PURPLE and YELLOW PAPER is what old time shooting is all about....Love that take me back in time feeling...

RST already offers paper folded crimp 2-1/2" shells in their "Specialty" line. Some of them have coppered shot. Check the link and click on the Shell icon. I don't know what the color convention is for the different gauge shells in paper hulls.

Forgot to mention on the new 12 gauge 1-1/16 ounce roll crimp shells, the plastic top disc has score lines and is frangible. No paper card to disrupt the pattern. I don't think the roll crimp shells are available in anything but 12 gauge right now. Frank

I do love the purples. Frank, please put in a plug for these. You definitely have an IN with RST. You also need some yellers for you new buddy.

Mike

The roll crimp machine on the RST assembly line is a piece of work. It makes as perfect a crimp as you can imagine and loads the over shot wad automatically. The transparent over shot wad is just facinating. My tour of the RST plant included velocity and pressure testing of the new loads as well as comparisons with some of my reloads and factory loads that many of us use. I was amazed at the conservative pressures of the RST loads compared to the much higher pressures of factory loads from the big three that we assume to be right for our old guns. I prefer the RST loads for gentle treatment of my vintage guns. Of course, I stll throw a few factory 3" boomers through my HE every goose season.

I would bet that if RST offered some purple/16 and yellow/20 shells in the rolled versions they would have orders out the wazoo. They'd have my business.


Mike

RST management gave me the following information in answer to several posted questions and PM's.

The RST 12 gauge paper, crimped shells have red hulls. Paper crimped shells are also available in 16 Ga. Black and 20 Ga. Light Tan.

Re: roll crimps on any paper shells besides 12 gauge; they are considering 16 and 20 Ga. in the future.

While at the plant last week their loading machine was set up for 12 gauge, fibre wad, no shot cup, per order by a large club. I asked if shells with fibre wads and no shot cup are available to the public (no plastic wad for traditionalists and those who don't want plastic left on the grounds). Answer: yes, we offer 12 & 20 fibre wad shells for the public. Frank

http://www.rstshells.com/

Thanks, Frank, for all the information about your tour and the new RST shells. I was able to participate in the pressure and velocity testing of the two new offerings and will give you the details. The wonderful paper, roll crimped 1 1/16 ounce 12 gauge loads, as Frank said, average in the mid 1100 fps out of the 24 inch pressure barrel and average 6600 psi pressure. The Falcon Ultra Lite 3/4 ounce plastic six point folded crimp loads run a slow 1125 fps and average 4300 psi. This sounds like it would be a load that would give poor cold weather performance, but I refrigerated a box overnight in the very low thirties and test fired while still cold. The sound and performance was just fine. I plan to take some more of the 3/4 ouncers and deep freeze them and give them another test and see how they do. Some comment about my original testing is on the PGCA BBS. For the information of hunters who are forced to keep shells in the car or truck overnight, let me say that a three year old Wirehair in a Ford Explorer will keep your shells at about 55 degrees with the outside temperature at 20. If you are colder than that, sleep with your shells. Bill Murphy

I'd sleep with the dog and put the shells on the dashboard in the morning.

Testing cold ammo can be a real eye opener. I think "keep your ammo warm" should have replaced "keep your powder dry" by now.

Yes, Mike, it's a fact of life for those who shoot low pressure shells in older guns. My successful cold weather test of the 3/4 ounce RST loads was a pleasant surprise. The next time I get a chance, I will test pressure and velocity with RST shells fresh from the deep freeze. I will probably use the two new RST loads since I have base figures to work with. When on a bird hunting or waterfowl trip, take your shells indoors overnight and, as Mike suggests, on the dashboard in the morning.

Bill, thanks for your additional comments. I should have a good cold weather test of the 3/4 ouncers tomorrow. Shells are already out in the vehicle and our overnight forecast is low of 10 degrees. Buds and I are hoping to shoot some clays tomorrow at a local club, 14 degree high predicted for the day. We may wimp out but if not I should know how well the wads seal in the cold temps. I'll probably take an overbored gun to make it tougher. More to come. Frank

In my opinion, poor cold weather performance is more related to actual temperature abuse of powder than it is related to poor wad sealing. Of course, wad sealing is always a consideration in cold weather. Again, my opinion only, but I think that most bad cold weather performance is evident in the sound of the shells. When I am testing, I not only look at the breaks on the targets, I question my fellow shooters about the sound of the shells. No point in testing with no one listening. I try to have at least four other shooters to grill about the "sound" of the shells.

Bill, I'll have to check the Parker site more often now that I know you're talking about me. You did a nice writeup on RST there yourself. No I didn't have to spring for dinner to get into the plant. But one of the gents there got me in a headlock and I had to promise to dust off my Parkers more often. Also went through "Parker 101" again; you know what I mean.

I agree with you, very cold temps affect powder burning rate and performance. More to come on the 3/4 ounce load testing if the shooting comes off tomorrow. I keep reading more and more on 3/4 ounce 12 gauge loads; seems like there's an article on them in every sporting mag I get. FYI I'm looking through those AF newpapers by year. I got thorough 1903 this evening. Nothing yet on that topic we talked about. Frank