28 Gauge Shell Length

[Wayne Owens]

I just received my first 28 gauge Parker. It has 2 1/2" chambers. I was told that shooting 2 3/4" 1200 fps shells in this gun shouldn't be a problem. Does anyone else shoot 2 3/4" ammo in their 2 1/2" 28 gauge gun?

[Bill Murphy]

Yes, I've been doing it for 62 years.

[Chuck Bishop]

If it's on a 0 frame, the barrel wall thickness will be good.

[Dean Romig]

I have a 00-frame 28 gauge made in 1935 that I shoot both 2 1/2" and 2 3/4" in but I've never measured the chamber length of it.





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[Dave Noreen]

Dean, I'd expect a 1935 vintage 28-gauge to have 2 13/16-inch chambers intended for 2 7/8-inch shells.

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The progressive burning smokeless powder, high velocity, 3/4-ounce, 28-gauge loads were introduced in 1931.

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[Dean Romig]

You're exactly right Dave! I just went to my gun room and measured the chambers on my 28 gauge Skeet gun at 2 13/16"





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[Bill Murphy]

Dean, we would like to see the video. Thanks.:corn:

[Dean Romig]

Here you go Bill -


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[Dan Steingraber]

Here you go Bill -


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It’s not the length of the shell that most folks are concerned with but the pressure generated by the shell.

Holy crap Dean. What are the details on that amazing little hammer gun? :bowdown:

[John Knobelsdorf II]

Assuming equal pressures in shells of two different lengths (say 2 1/2” and 2 3/4”), and the shot size and volume of the shot is identical, then what difference does the chamber depth make?

What differences in performance can I expect see in the patterns? Any other interesting differences?

[ED J, MORGAN]

According to articles in the Double Gun Journal about a 100 t0 200 psi increase in pressure.

[Dean Romig]

It’s not the length of the shell that most folks are concerned with but the pressure generated by the shell.

Holy crap Dean. What are the details on that amazing little hammer gun? :bowdown:


In a fluid steel barreled Parker I don't shoot magnum or high pressure loads but otherwise I don't think shooting a 2 3/4" shell in a 2 1/2" or 2 9/16" chamber is something to fuss about. Heck, most of our Trojans, VH's, PH's, GH's, DH's and so on have digested their fair share of 2 3/4" shells in their lifetimes, long before we ever became their thoughtful custodians.

That "amazing little hammer gun" is my Grade-4 12 gauge on the 1-frame with 30" Bernard Steel barrels choked Light MOD and Tight MOD. ;)



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[Wayne Owens]

According to articles in the Double Gun Journal about a 100 t0 200 psi increase in pressure.


Thanks Ed! That is the specific answer I was looking for.

[Dan Steingraber]

In a fluid steel barreled Parker I don't shoot magnum or high pressure loads but otherwise I don't think shooting a 2 3/4" shell in a 2 1/2" or 2 9/16" chamber is something to fuss about. Heck, most of our Trojans, VH's, PH's, GH's, DH's and so on have digested their fair share of 2 3/4" shells in their lifetimes, long before we ever became their thoughtful custodians.

That "amazing little hammer gun" is my Grade-4 12 gauge on the 1-frame with 30" Bernard Steel barrels choked Light MOD and Tight MOD. ;)

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That gun is stunning Dean.

[Dave Noreen]

Did any of these DGJ articles deal with smaller bores when it came to the increase in pressure from shooting 1/4-inch longer shells?

Probably forty years ago now, I watched my friend the late Henry Thomas of Federal Oak Farm, Charles County, Maryland, shoot a round of skeet at the old Potomac River Gun Club with this 28-gauge hammer gun, that had been his father's, using factory AAs.

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It is a Belgian gun marked RICHARD on the lockplates with Twist barrels.

In 1993, Henry gave me the RICHARD. I never fired it and when I left the Capital region I passed it on to a younger Charles County setter man who also knew Henry.

[Drew Hause]

But I repeat myself ;)
Sherman Bell's study is about 1/3 way down here
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZIo0y746UsSRZIgRuuxwAbZjSBHitO_EanvwLYc-kGA/edit

His study was for 12g shells, and the average increase was 700 psi.

There is no data regarding the pressure increase in using 2 3/4" modern plastic case shells in short chambered 16g and 20g guns.

It has been established also that Parker cut the chambers slightly shorter than the nominal 12g 2 3/4", 16g 2 9/16" or 20g 2 1/2".
I had a 1924 20g Parker with chambers 2 3/8", and recoil was wicked with AA 2 3/4" 7/8 oz. target loads.
Also, 20g shells in general do run significantly higher pressures than 12g.

We are all free to do what we wish with that information, but not free to make stuff up.