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Parker 20 ga. last gun
I am looking for a user Parker 20 for Woodcockin' in Louisana.. I have several 20 SxS in my closet, but I wanted to buy one more gun berfore I get too old to use it... My gift, to myself, for making 61 years old and chasin' woodcoock for the last 40 here in Central Loisiana.I want a Parker .. Now for the fork in the road question ?
I have found a Parker VH 20 ga. 26" barrels serial # 203941 1923 date and the barrels 26 " from the factory. Can you tell from the serial # if this is this a 2 3/4 " or 2 1/2 chamber? This would make a perfect WC gun down here, the short barrel a plus.. Any opinions accepted......... Do It The Way They Did It Yesterday.....Pointers,Parkers and Any Bird Anywhere ............... |
No way to tell unless it is mentioned in the record books, for a letter from our research chairman, that the gun was ordered chambered for longer shells.
FWIW I have a much later 0-frame, VH-Grade, 20-gauge, 26-inch barrel, in the 235xxx range that was shipped September 1930, and it still has the 2 3/8 inch chambers intended for the 2 1/2 inch 20-gauge shells. |
not from the serial number, it was most likely made with short chambers. Only having them measured would answer what they are now
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Thanks for the quick reply and what a great site... Any down sides of the 2.5'" shells or would it be price effective to open it up to modern 2.75"
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no down side with 2 1/2 shells at all -but there may be downsides with extending chambers depending on wall thickness
give RST a call http://www.rstshells.com/ |
Anything is possible but it's unlikely lengthening the chambers that much will be an issue.
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The gun you specify should have fluid steel barrels. In that case, low pressure, low velocity 2 3/4 " shells should be fine. I've shot such for years in my short chamber Parker 20s. This short chamber/long cartridge topic has been discussed here before ad nauseum.
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Thanks for the advice and info from this great site...Seems there will be a Parker under the Christmas tree....hint hint momma. "Pointers and Parkers nuff' said"
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I agree. I have shot W-W AA 20 ga shells for years at grouse and woodcocks in
a short chambered VH. I prefer short shells but 2.75 work fine. |
I use the 2 1/2 inch shell in everything from 12 to 410 for both upland birds and clays. You will not have an issue using the shorter shell. Contact RST and have them send you a case. Try em you'll like em.
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Like Rich ,I use 2 1/2" RST ammo almost exclusively any more with the exception of the rare occasion I carry my Browning BBS Sporter 20 Ga. ! I mainly use them because of the light recoil on the old wood on my Parker's and not so much worried about the chamber length and they are extremely deadly on game !
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Don't let the 2 5/8 inch chamber hold you back, they work fine with 2 3/4 inch shells. I have a Trojan 20 with short chambers shoot 2 3/4 and 2 1/2 either one you can't tell the difference. Only reason I use 2 1/2 at all is I roll crimp them and use Spreader inserts. Short & Roll lets me see what shell I am loading easy.
William |
Quote:
"I just want one more Parker, (a 20 gauge, no less) and I promise this will be the last one". That's some funny stuff, right there! |
I have a VH 20, older than yours with 26" barrels and a VHE with cut barrels. I personally would not think twice about shooting 2 3/4" shells thru them.I generally do shoot my own mild reloads these days, but have shot plenty of factory 7/8 oz loads thru them.
Should be a great Be'casse gun! |
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