16 Gauge 2 1/2" cartridges?

[Jeffrey Eley]

My Parker 16 GA Trojan, #1 Frame, Manuf: 1921, has 2 1/2" chambers. Since I'm not a reloader yet, does anyone know where I can purchase some 2 1/2" cartridges? I also have a G Parker 16 GA with Damascus barrels that has 2 1/2" chambers, would love to know where I can purchase some appropriate low pressure rounds for it. Thanks :)

[Harry Collins]

http://www.rstshells.com/store/m/3-16-Gauge.aspx

My favorite are

http://www.rstshells.com/store/p/115-16-Ga-2-1/2-Lite-Vel-1125-7/8-oz-Load-Box.aspx

[Daniel Carter]

Would like to know how the rest of you measure chamber length. I have been using inside calipers, expanded to the walls of the chamber and then going into the barrel until it begins to narrow. I have marked it at 2 1/2 and 2 3/4 . Am I getting a correct measure? When I say narrow I mean the beginning of the forcing cone.

[Kenny Graft]

I think you are O.K. your way. Galazan sells a nice shotgun gauge for chambers and choke that will not break the bank. Its folds up nice and small. I have 2 of them....Check their catalog. A true 2 1/2 chamber requires 2 1/2, 2 9/16 or 2 5/8 shell, 2 3/4 shell is just too long for that chamber length. I have 2 1/2" RST loads and some B&P F2 classic loads at 2 5/8" these will open up just inside the forcing cone with no ill effect. A 1oz load at 1200 FPS is about right for most 16-s The B&P loads are rated at 1280 and may a little hot for guns are much under 6lbs. SXS Ohio

[Jeffrey Eley]

Thanks Harry, I ordered your favorites the "Falcon Lites."

[Russell E. Cleary]

Jeffrey:

The RST Falcon Lite 7/8ths-ounce loads that Harry recommends have worked well for me, too; and that includes when hunting, at least in deep woods “Upland”, where there are few long shots.

The British “2 ½-inch” Gamebore loads I bought many years ago, thinking they were needed for 2 ½-inch chambers, are too rough on my shoulder when shooting my 0-framed or 1-framed 16-gauge VH guns. I still have an unstable shoulder, having dislocated it many years ago in a home accident. (Alcohol was not a factor; arcing, errant 110-volt current was.)

You also might consider trying a flat of the RST 2 ½-inch Ultra Lite, 3/4-ounce loads when doing a lot of shooting, say multiple rounds of skeet or in sporting clays. They break as many clays for me as I am likely to with the 7/8ths-ounce loads, while saving the shoulder, averting flinch and keeping me in the game longer.

What are the chokes on your 1-framed 16? RST also makes 2 1/2 -inch, 7/8th-ounce Spreader loads, which I have yet to pattern and compare with the non-speader RST 7/8ths-ounce Falcon Lites.

[George Davis]

I prefer the RST 7/8 loads then you can convert about any MEC reloader or order a new one set-up for 2 1/2 shells. The RST shells reload nicely and you will get multiple reloads from the same case.
PS: I was lucky and located a 1993 Hornady 366 16 gauge and made the adjustments for
2 1/2 and I found it on ebay.
Good Luck.

[Jeffrey Eley]

Yes, I purchased a flat of the "RST" 7/8 Falcon Lites! I'm going to Yuma (2nd Season) for some Dove hunting in Mid-December & will be able to try them! Thanks everyone for the suggestions. Oh Yeah, my gun is choked Mod/Full.

[Keith Doty]

Shot lots of Falcon Lites before I got my loader set up for 2 1/2" 16. Good product.

[nick balzano]

I also have a 16 ga. trojan and like the rest of the commentators Rst lite or ultra lite shells work very good. I shoot over a well-trained brit so distance is not too big of a concern. One thing I did notice is I hit better with no. 7 shot than their no. 6s, but that could just be the way I shoot. One other benefit is that these shells are less harmful the the older wood which comes with most of the trojans.