Welcome to the RST Journal - Keeping Classic Shotguns in the Field

2026-09-07T19:13:04-05:00

Welcome to the RST Journal

There is something special about carrying a classic shotgun into the field.

Maybe it belonged to your father or grandfather. Maybe it is an old American double that you spent years looking for, or an English game gun that was built more than a century ago. Whatever its story, these guns were make to be used-and we believe many of them still belong in the field today.

That belief is a big part of why RST exists.

At RST Classic Shotshell Company, we specialize in ammunition for classic and vintage shotguns. Our goal has always been to provide shooters with quality ammunition in the shell lengths and configurations these older guns were designed around, including 2" and 2 1/2" shotshells.

Why the RST journal

Over the years, we've had countless conversations with customers about old shotguns, ammunition, recoil, shell length, crimps, Damascus barrels and the challenges of keeping these wonderful old guns shooting.

The RST Journal gives us a place to continue those conversations.

We'll use it to explore subjects such as the history of classic American and English shotguns, shotshell construction, roll crimps versus star crimps, payload and velocity, recoil, Damascus-barreled guns, component availability and some of what goes on behind the scenes at RST.

We'll also talk about something we hear about frequently: bringing an inherited shotgun back into the field.

The Journal Isn't Replacing our Help Page

If you're trying to determine which RST load or shot size to order, how shipping works, or need other information about purchasing our ammunition, our Help page will continue to be the place to start.

The RST Journal is different. It's a place to go a little deeper into the guns, ammunition, history and traditions that brought many of us to RST in the first place.

Of course, before firing any vintage shotgun-particularly one with Damascus or Twist Steel barrels-we recommend having it inspected and approved by a refutable gunsmith who is knowledgeable about vintage shotguns.

Keeping Classic Shotguns in the Field

Some of the guns our customers shoot were built more than 100 years ago. They've survived generations, traveled countless miles through fields ad covers, and in many cases have been handed from one family member to another.

We think that's worth preserving.

There are a lot of old guns out there that still have stories left to tell.

Let's keep them in the field.

- RST Classic Shotshell Company