What loads should I use in my L.C. Smith shotgun?

We recommend that you definitely keep the pressure below 8500 psi, which is reltively easy with all the “low pressure” 12 and 16gauge commercial loads available today. It is a little bit more difficult to find low pressure 20 gauge loads.

Here are data from actual pressure testing for comparison:

3 Dr. Eq. 1 1/8 oz.
Winchester Trap Load
1,202 fps 9,600 psi

AA Xtra-Lite 1 oz WAAL12
1189 fps 8000 psi

AA 'Low noise Low recoil' 15/16 oz
980 fps 6,200 psi

Sources for low pressure loads:

1. Polywad 'Vintager'
2. Gamebore shells are distributed by Target Loads USA (217/243-3727), Jacksonville, Illinois
3. Classic Shotshell Company, Inc./RST, Ltd. has several 12 gauge low recoil loads available, which we would be perfectly comfortable using in a 2 5/8" 12 gauge chamber
4. Nobel Sport has light 12 gauge 1 oz and 7/8 oz and 20 gauge 3/4 oz loads
5. Fiocchi 'Ultra Low Recoil Training Loads' are usually in stock at Graf & Sons
6. Remington has a 7/8 oz. 'Managed Recoil' load
   
7. Federal manufactures 7/8 oz loadsfor MidwayUSA with a muzzle velocity of 1200 fps and producing a chamber pressure of 5000 psi
   
8. Winchester WinLite Low Recoil loads in 12 gauge with 28 gm (1 oz) of shot at 980 fps, and a 20 gauge with 7/8 oz (just more than 24 gm) at 980 fps
   
9. Rio produces a 12 gauge 1 oz subsonic load at 1050 fps and several other low pressure loads