Proper Shotshells for 20 ga

[Loren Tillett]

As proud owner of a nice 1929 20 ga. Serial number 230397 V grade, I want to do right by it. I'm headed to GA for some bird hunting in a month or so and want to use the proper length and dram shotshells. 26 inch barrels. What's the answer?

[Brian Dudley]

What do the chambers measure?

[Loren Tillett]

I do not know that answer to that. I can measure them but don't know where the transition from "chamber to barrel" begins. Any help here?

[Brian Dudley]

Well, there is no way that anyone here can tell you what the length of your chambers are on the gun. You will have to confirm that and purchase shells accordingly.

Bear in mind that Parker bored their chambers 1/8” shorter than the intended shell to be shot. For a better gas seal and shot penetration. Ie: a gun meant to shoot 2-3/4” shells will measure 2-5/8” typically.

In regards to loads, as long as the gun is in overall sound condition, that gun should be able to digest any typical off the shelf loads of the proper length.

[Joseph Sheerin]

I shoot the nobel sport Low recoil shells out of my 1929 Trojan 20ga for upland birds and clays. They are comfortable to shoot, and do the job just fine. You don't need 1300 fps or more for that job, really for any job. :-)

[Loren Tillett]

Thank you. I will do some more sleuthing and try to understand how to measure chambers for my own edification. I believe that your perspective is correct regarding shotshells. I plan to shoot 2 3/4 field loads or target loads. 7 or 7.5 shot. 1200 fps. Nothing too hot. Your work is stunning. Thank you for answering.

[Loren Tillett]

Thank you, Joe. Really appreciate the help. I was a bit overwhelmed with all of the postings regarding chamber lengths for Parkers. I figured by 1929, 2 and 3/4" shells were in use for the V grade. But don't want to make assumptions. Still learning...

[Garry L Gordon]

Loren, you're getting good advice here. If you don't know your chamber length, you can always use light 2 1/2" shells, regardless of your chamber's length. I don't know of any 1929 Parker 20 that had shorter chambers. Having said this, it's not that easy to find such shells in today's challenging market. Every now and then, RST makes a run of 2 1/2" 20 gauge shells. I'd keep checking there.

Good luck and happy hunting.

[Dave Noreen]

My 1930 VH 20-gauge, 26-inch, has the 2 3/8-inch chambers intended for 2 1/2-inch shells.


Chamber depth is considered to be the distance between the breech end of the barrels and the joint between the chamber body itself and the forcing cone, which reduces down to bore diameter. This is loosely based on the length of the "Fired" shell. Today, theoretically when the crimp opens on the shell being fired the end would land at the junction of the chamber and cone. Prior to WW-II many companies had the practice of holding the chamber about 1/8 inch shorter than the shell for which it was intended. Fly in the ointment is nominal measurements often differ from actual ones in both chambers and shells. A very good method I have found of measuring chambers without much outlay of cash, and is quite accurate enough for virtually any situation, is a common 6" flexible machinist's scale which you likely have. Hold the barrels with muzzles toward a light source, not necessarily a concentrated one a window is great, while looking into the breech and the cone will be thrown in a shadow. May have to move the barrels around a little until it is distinct. While still looking into the chamber simply slide the scale in until you observe the end coming flush with the shadow line & mark position of breech end with your thumb. Remove and read the scale. I usually repeat this a few times to insure I am getting a consistent reading, but you will be amazed how accurate this can be done. While I own a Galazan chamber gauge, I use this more often than not. The chamber body itself has a taper of about .005" per inch. Sometimes chambers were cut with slightly worn reamers giving a slight undersize chamber. If the chamber is a bit undersize a gauge made to "industry" standards will not go in to the true depth of the chamber. A.H. Fox Gun Co. shotguns are known for having tight chambers. The machinist’s scale method can be more accurate.

[Stan Hillis]

I have been using the measuring method Researcher describes for a long time. It is repeatably accurate.

SRH

[Dave Noreen]

Just to confuse things, while most of our ammunition companies put up their progressive burning powder, high velocity, 1-ounce, 20-gauge loads in a 2 3/4-inch case, Winchester offered the load in both 2 3/4- and 2 1/2-inch shells.

112099

112100

Generally speaking, the 20-gauge 2 1/2-inch shells being offered in 1929 carried a load of 2 1/4 drams of bulk smokeless powder or 18-grains of dense smokeless powder such as Infallible of Ballistite with 3/4 or 7/8 ounce of shot.

112101

112102

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Loren, I have a VH 20 and a VHE 20 from the 1920's--also a PH 20 fluid steel, and I shoot standard 7/8 oz game loads 1200fps thru them.

[allen newell]

Loren, whether you shoot 2 1/2 inch shells or 2 3/4 inch shells in your 20, just dont shoot any shell over 1200 fps. You'll be fine

[Loren Tillett]

Thanks gents for helping out. I will figure this out with the great advice offered. I will be able to measure with Researcher’s keen description. In an effort to locate the proper shells I’ve confirmed that many of the sources are not in stock. I will keep looking. I loaded my own 12 ga for years for skeet, trap, clays and hunting. I wouldn’t mind that effort to get exactly what I want for the 20, but would have to locate hulls, primers and wads. Any advice on where to find shells or components these days? I also acquired an old 16 ga St. Etienne SS I want to play with.

[tom tutwiler]

Thanks gents for helping out. I will figure this out with the great advice offered. I will be able to measure with Researcher’s keen description. In an effort to locate the proper shells I’ve confirmed that many of the sources are not in stock. I will keep looking. I loaded my own 12 ga for years for skeet, trap, clays and hunting. I wouldn’t mind that effort to get exactly what I want for the 20, but would have to locate hulls, primers and wads. Any advice on where to find shells or components these days? I also acquired an old 16 ga St. Etienne SS I want to play with.

This seems to be the go to for components these days:


https://www.ballisticproducts.com/

[Loren Tillett]

Just to make sure I understand the terminology…looking at the joint between the chamber body and the forcing cone, and based on Researcher’s explanation, the shell’s crimp opens at the junction of the chamber and cone. So if my measurement shows 2 5/8” at the breech end of the joint where it meets the chamber, then the shell capacity is 2 3/4”, correct?

https://parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=1053&pictureid=14155

Note in the photo (not a good one) that where the forcing cone at the end of the shell chamber begins is where I took the measurement. Which gives me right at 2 5/8".

https://parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=1053&pictureid=14154

[Dave Noreen]

Sounds like a gun intended for 2 3/4-inch shells to me.

[Loren Tillett]

Researcher, thank you for your patience and advice. I'm sure all will be OK. Going to the range this coming week.