New Guy Question

[Matt Valinsky]

Yesterday I posted a question about a Trojan. Good thing. Being the computer whiz that I am, I posted it on the Foto Friday forum. Bad thing. This is where it needs to be.

In a nut shell, I found a Trojan (I really like them) serial number 177368, I guess built in 1917. The barrels are not marked as to what the chamber length is. I'd really like to have one chambered to 2-3/4". So, if this one is 2-9/16", boy I don't know.

I want a gun I can hunt with, doesn't need to be 10 out of 10 but just a good honest hunting gun. If this one turns out to not be chambered to 2-3/4" my question is, from what build year should I be looking for to find a 2-3/4" chambered gun? If I find one, and the gun is in good shape can I shoot todays shotshells through it?

With retirement(not by choice) just around the corner and a new setter pup in the works I'll be having plenty of time to chase birds again. I'm just hoping it will be with a Trojan!

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Matt

[Researcher]

When your Trojan was built circa 1917, the standard chambering was 2 5/8 inch in 12-gauge, intended for a 2 3/4 inch shell, 2 7/16 inch in 16-gauge intended for the 2 9/16 inch shell, and 2 3/8 inch in 20-gauge intended for the 2 1/2 inch shell. I have a 1930-vintage VH-Grade 20-gauge that has the 2 3/8 inch chamber for the 2 1/2 inch shell. Even the Remington-era specification sheets shown on pages 164 to 169 of The Parker Story, call for a chamber 1/8-inch shorter than the shell for which it is intended. By then the 16- and 20-gauge guns were being chambered 2 5/8 inch intended for the 2 3/4 inch shell.

Impossible to say what may have been done to the chambers of a gun since it was built 95 years ago.

[OH Osthaus]

Welcome Matt

Many of these guns have had the chambers lengthened and even if not, short shells are readily available these days. http://www.rstshells.com/ is a source many of us use for shells

And heck shop carefull and you'll get a Parker

But -Tell us about this setter pup, what kennel or bloodline are you getting.

[Matt Valinsky]

Thanks for the help so far folks.

Rick, The pup.

Llewellin Setter, "Sophie" the mama, she's by Hanks royal Flush and out of Belles Royacelle Dancer. The Daddy "Ace" is by Irishking Ashly Bondhu and out of Dashing Bondhu Babe.

If everything works the way it's supposed to, Feb. breeding and an April pup. I hope. The pup will be 6 mo. old in Oct. just right for a trip to New England to hunt with a buddy and his English Setter. Looking forward to that and hope I'm carrying a Trojan.

[MarketHunter]

I hunted my entire childhood with a 16 gauge that had 2 9/16 chambers, shot everything from field loads to magnums in it. Never knew I was doing anything wrong till somebody measured the chamber years later. I'm sure opinions will vary, just personal experience.

DLH

[Bill Murphy]

About 98% of all Trojans are being shot today with 2 3/4" shells in the original length chambers. They seem to work just fine. Gauge for gauge, the Trojan is a stout gun.

[Brush Buster]

Hello Matt ,and Welcome aboard ! The Trojan Grades are fine Guns and most are very nice to carry ! I will add my two cents here ,of the Trojans I've owned ,they were choked very tightly ,you will want to shoot it plenty and possibly consider Spreader Loads to open it up a bit , they work like a Dream ! As I said ,just my Two Cents ! Good Luck with your New Trojan ,when you get it and Your new Pup ! Best ; Russ

[Dean Romig]

Nothing wrong with shooting 2 3/4" shells in an uncompromised Trojan. I did it for years with a 12 ga. Trojan using heavy 2 3/4" "Duck & Pheasant" loads.

[B. Dudley]

Modern plastic hulls are thin enough to where there is not going to be any pressure spiking issues from shooting 2-3/4" shells in 2-5/8" chambers. As many will say, it is done often with no problems. However, the benefit of shooting 2.5" rst or other low pressure loads in these guns are that it is less felt recoil and also less of a beating on our old guns.

[Matt Valinsky]

Thanks for the help folks. I'm gonna look at the Trojan again this afternoon if I can get to the gun shop before they close.