newbie has a chamber question

[stevecrea]

Hello all. I am a new member, and just acquired an 1896 GH with Damascus barrels. I have not shot it yet, but I ordered some RST low pressure shells to shoot in it. I ordered 2 3/4 inch shells from RST before I had taken the gun to my gunsmith to check the chambers. He measured the chambers with his gauge, and said they measured about 2 1/4 inches.

This probably raises many issues, but what length shells should I be shooting in it?

[Dean Romig]

Most of us use 2 1/2" RST shells in Parkers with Damascus barrels.

If however, yours happens to be a 12 gauge built on a 2-frame it will probably be OK to use the shells you bought. But then, I'm not aware of any Parker 12's with 2 1/4" chambers so I'm thinking it must be a 20 or 28..... so, what is it?





.

[Drew Hause]

Steve: you might seek a second opinion, from a double gun specialist smith with the interest, time and tools to adequately evaluate the barrels, starting but not limited to the wall thickness from breech to muzzle. This might help
http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=366087

I hope you will be able to enjoy your new treasure soon :)

[stevecrea]

Dean, thank you. It is a 12 gauge on a #2 frame. If the chambers are shorter, does it cause pressure or other problems to shoot 2 3/4 inch shells in it?

The RST shells that should arrive today are 2 3/4 inch Falcon Lites and 2 3/4 inch MaxiLites, and they are each around 5000 PSI I believe.

[Rick Losey]

i would think chambers that short on a 12 would be odd

i would second the advice to get a second opinion -

[Dean Romig]

I agree - get a second opinion from someone who can personally examine the gun and accurately measure the chamber length.

That being said, I have an 1898 DH built on a 2-frame with 2 9/16" chambers that has easily digested many hundreds of 2 3/4" AA trap loads. These days I shoot RST 2 1/2" shells simply because they're easier on the shoulder.

I can't comment of what kind of shells have been used with this gun prior to my ownership of it. :corn:





.

[Bruce Day]

There are dozens of posts here answering your questions.

Parker answered it directly:
1 1/8 oz 3 dram is the standard load
1 1/8 oz. 3 1/4 dram heavy load
1 oz. 2 3/4 suitable for most upland birds.

Your gun was patterned with the first load for best pattern

Moving from 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 " expanded length shells results in an average of 5 percent pressure increase.

Your gun was made to use shells of about 10,000 psi maximum service loads, or 80 percent of proof loads.

[Paul Harm]

I think your " gunsmith" needs to recheck you chambers. I don't believe any Parker had 2 1/4" chambers. If I has 2 1/2 or longer chambers, I wouldn't worry about the 2 3/4" shells. Those RST's won't hurt a thing.

[stevecrea]

Bruce, thank you to you and everyone for this good information.

I am curious: I received the RST ammo today, and the 2 3/4 inch shells actually measure 2 1/4 inch. I am not knowledgeable about these issues. Is the 2 3/4 inch length the fired length, rather than the pre-fired length?

Thanks to you and everyone for helping me on this.

[Dean Romig]

It is the fired length of the shell.





.

[Bruce Day]

The SAAMI standard for cartridges marked 2 3/4" is 2 5/8" to 2 3/4". Many major cartridges will measure 2 5/8" expanded. Winchester AAs tend to be short.

Most major makers also sell 1 oz 2 3/4 dram loads. The standard trap load since the 1880 s has been 1 1/8 oz 3 drams , providing 1200 fps so there are many suitable loads for your gun. The 1 1/4 oz 3 1/2 dram loads will exceed maximum recommended service loads. You will need to determine the soundness of your vintage gun .

If you want to learn about the strength of Damascus barrels, study Dr. Drew Hause's thread in the Damascus barrels section. Unless honed thin, they are sufficiently strong for any reasonable load.

[Paul Harm]

Many gun makers back when you gun was manufactured made the chambers a bit shorter than the shell. They thought it would help seal the burning powder better with the fiber wads that were used. You'll find many 2 9/16 or 2 5/8 chambers meant for 2 3/4 shells. It's also why the forcing cones [ right in front of the chambers ] were shorter than todays with the plastic wads. The fiber wads were about 5/8" [ 1/2" cushion and 1/8" overpowder ] , so the shorter 5/8" forcing cones were used. Because I reload at about 7000psi, a low pressure load, I've never measured any of my guns chambers. All of them are Damascus except two, and I shoot clays three times a week year round. Bruce has said what Parkers were proofed for, so just shoot your gun and have fun.