Reloading 12 gauge in a VH 2 5/8"

[Sam Ogle]

I have a friend who is just becoming a Parkerphile: He has a VH 1 1/2 frame coming and called me to say the chambers are 2 5/8" instead of 2 3/4".
He wants to know if #1: Can he safely shoot 2 3/4" shells in it. I told him Yes.
He wants to know if he should go to the trouble of trimming reloads down 1/8" to make them true 2 5/8." I told him no.

However, he is a very precise person, much more than me; who has shot thousands of 2 3/4" shells through Parkers, and want some reassurance.

I know this is one of the oldest most asked questions, but who knows, maybe I will learn something too.

Sam Ogle, Lincoln, NE

[J.B. Books]

Tell him about the Sherman Bell tests. Tell him lots of people shoot 2 3/4" shells in 2 5/8" chambers knowingly without issue. Tell him a lot more people have shot 2 3/4" shells through 2 5/8" chambers unknowingly without issue.

Stuff like this bugs some people so tell him he can trim his hulls if he feels he must, it's a one time step for each hull. Tell him while he is at it, light loads like 7/8 12ga are very effective, a joy to the shoulder and good for an old gun.

[Sam Ogle]

Thanks; I will just show him this. He has already tried 7/8 ounce and liked them.
Sam

[John Powers]

Shell pressure is the key. If a loaded shell produces pressure that he gun is safe to shoot, then he is fine. Shells vary too much for it to be a blanket statement. I damaged a VH, 2.625" chambers shooting very heavy 2.75" shells through it. When the sear notch was slightly worn and the gun doubled with the very heavy loads, TWICE, so did my butt stock. Broke in 2 places at the wrist. Since most older guns, pre 1905 or so saw black powder and preassure build up was much slower, most guns never seen those spikes we put them through today.

[Bill Murphy]

Parker Brothers chambered their 12 gauge guns at 2 5/8" for 2 3/4" shells, and noted that on tags attached to their guns as well as in factory documents. Parker guns were chambered 1/8" shorter than shell length as a standard procedure.

[Fishtail]

"Parker Brothers chambered their 12 gauge guns at 2 5/8" for 2 3/4" shells, and noted that on tags attached to their guns as well as in factory documents. Parker guns were chambered 1/8" shorter than shell length as a standard procedure. "

Wasn't that because the old paper shells had a different 'spent' profile than modern plastic shells?

[charlie cleveland]

i treasure my parkers very dearly and this is mostly what i hunt with but when hunting say turkeys i use heavy loads in these guns..my ten ga three frame ph gun has never failed me and the stock still looks as good as the day i got it over 30 years ago...granted heavy loads will damage stocks at times...and i broke a stock on a remy 1894 i fixed this stock myself and it is still shooting...i guess what i m trying to say is that i use my parkers and if they need a heavy load to do the job then i use the heavy load and do not worry about the stock..but all my parkers are shooters.....charlie

[Bill Murphy]

Greg, the assumption is that PB thought that 1/8" of paper up in the forcing cone resulted in better sealing of the gasses. 1/8" of thin plastic in the forcing cone is absolutely inconsequential.

[Paul Harm]

John, maybe 2 1/4oz of shot going off had something to do with it, not the pressure.