I've got a couple new ones waiting at my FFL as of today. The first is a like new 1966 light Twelve in its original box and the second is an unmarked 1947 Sweet Sixteen with a solid rib mod choke barrel. I'll post pics tomorrow when they're in my possession.
Sorry for the suspense. The new '47 occupied a good bit of time yesterday evening. It was filthy inside. I haven't even messed with the '66 yet. The "Stealth" needed a good cleaning, so I stripped it down, installed some new springs and put it back together with a 2 piece carrier I recently acquired. I figured since my last "Speed Load" conversion went well, I'd do it again. This one was no different, flawless. The Stealth is really nice. The bluing is excellent and the wood is in great shape with no cracks or splits. Without further ado, here they are. I plan to take the Stealth out for some patterning tomorrow morning. I'll report back with my findings.
Shots fired! I took the unmarked Sweet out for some function and pattern testing. Once I found the correct amount of 30w for the mag tube, it functioned beautifully. This one likes a light coat on the mag tube, not just a couple drops under the friction ring. That said, Remington 1 oz 7.5 shot Game Loads cycled it perfectly with both heavy and light friction ring settings with only a couple drops of oil. For patterns, I fired one shot of each at 35 yards and I based my results on desirable pattern traits, meaning the most evenly distributed pellets in a 30" circle. I will count pellets later. This gun has a factory fixed modified choke in a solid rib barrel. 1. Fiocchi 16HV5, or Field Dynamics 5 shot 1 1/8 oz. This is a consistent performer across all 16 gauges I've tested it in, and you can get it for less than $20 per box here https://gordyandsons.com/fiocchi-high-velocity-16ga-2-3-4-1-1-8oz-5-shot-16hv539285/?srsltid=AfmBOoq6ySwNX6eafI9Y2dPFGeblyt7k2oFoLQEXxRLs_B6xdPyx1-52#:~:text=Specifications: * Caliber/Gauge 16 Gauge. * Weight 1.0. * FPS 1300.. 2. Remington Royal Flush 5 shot. This is an expensive one, but it's a consistent performer. 3. Federal Prairie Storm 5 shot, this is the highest velocity round out of all of them and it usually throws a good middle-of-the-road pattern with some unexplained voids near the center of the pattern. 4. Remington XLR 4 shot. There is not much to say here. It is just okay in everything I've patterned it in. 5. Fiocchi Golden Pheasant 5 shot. This is a strange one for me. The Golden Pheasant 5 shot consistently throws the worst patterns with multiple 16s and different choke tubes and manufacturers. I hope this info is useful for someone. The bonus here is that the most consistent performer is the most affordable. The best cycling round in all of my Sweets is the Remington 1 oz Game Load. For some reason this one just makes the Auto 5 work. https://www.remington.com/shotshell/29-20036.html
