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.

Attachment 112099

Attachment 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.

Attachment 112101

Attachment 112102

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.

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

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/

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/pictur...ictureid=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/pictur...ictureid=14154

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

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