Ammo question
 

Purchased Parker 20 gauge at an estate sale. Ser # indicates it was made in 1902. Ok to use modern ammo?

They were still useing short chambers in 1902. You should still have the chambers measured by a qualified gun smith. The reason most of us use light loads is because of the age of the wood. At 100 years plus you could easely break a stock.

Thanks, 2 3/4 in shells fit, but I will take it to gunsmith before firing. Executor of the estate did not know the man had the gun, thus no info.

Post the serial number and somebody here will tell you the specs on it as it left the factory.

112461

Word of warning. Just because you can drop a 2 3/4" shell in the gun dos't mean it has a 2 3/4" chamber. A 2 3/4" shell will go in a gun chambered for 2 1/2".

112461 VH no extras,capped pistol grip 20 ga. 28" barrels left factory in 1902:)

Thank you all for the help!

Your gun has fluid steel barrels and should be perfectly happy with light target loads if in original condiion. Have the wall thickness of the barrels measured if the gun appears to be fooled with. Tell us where you are and we'll tell you whom to take it to.

Bellingham Wa

Contact Keith Kearcher in Bend, Oregon if you have any doubts and want to have your gun inspected.

I have the gun in a gun shop waiting for a gun smith to check to see if I can use 2 3/4 low brass or if is a 2 1/2. If I need more I will try Keith. Thanks

At the time your gun was built, the "standard" 20-gauge shell in North America was a 2 1/2 inch case carrying a maximum charge of 2 1/4 drams of bulk smokeless powder or 18 grains of dense smokeless powder such as Infallible or Ballistite pushing a 7/8 ounce payload, and lighter loads of 2 drams or 16-grains and 3/4 ounce were common. In the extra cost, extra length shells of 2 3/4, 2 7/8, and 3-inch one could get 2 1/2 drams of bulk smokeless powder or 20-grains of Ballistite or Infallible pushing that 7/8 ounce of shot a bit faster.

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The high velocity progressive burning powder 1 ounce 20-gauge loads were introduced by Western Cartridge Co. as their Super-X in 1922 in their 2 3/4 inch FIELD shell.

I am reading between the lines so I assume that modern low brass skeet shells are probably to hot for the gun if it is chambered for 2 3/4. I do not reload.

No, they're not too hot. Winchester AA will be fine IF the chambers do turn out to be 2 3/4". If they're 2 1/2", as made, Use RST loads. They're a little more expensive, but it doesn't matter, you're not going to be shooting league skeet with it.

In one of Sherman Bells "Finding Out For Myself" articles published in Double Gun Journal he found that shooting shells longer than the chamber increased pressure by about 300 PSI. That is a negligible amount. I shoot shells that are 2 3/4" in 130+ year old Parkers with Twist Steel barrels without incident, however I shoot modest velocities (1,150 fps) and light loads i.e. 10 gauge 1 1/8 oz of shot, 12- 1 oz, 16- 7/8, 20- 3/4 oz. I do not hesitate to go up an 1/8 oz occasionally, but don't do it when I shoot 100+ rounds a day.

Harry

Gunsmith ok with 2 3/4 but no tac loads!