1902 DH Damascus chamber/shell size
 

I am sure this question gets asked and answered all the time so I apologize...

Are they 2 1/2? Can I shoot 2 3/4? FPS? What's your opinion on RST shells? Thanks.

P.S. One guy told me if I put a 3 inch shell and it fits, then I can shoot 2 3/4? Assuming because it would resemble a shot/open 2 3/4 casing.

A longer shell in a shorter chamber creates slightly more pressure but in some case it can create a lot more recoil! I had this in a 20 gauge Lefever with 2 3/4" low pressure 7/8 oz handloads in a shorter chamber. Ouch :crying:

RST? Fantastic low pressure ammunition!

So do you suggest 2 1/2s? What was the chamber size for this year?

the way to know the chamber length is to get them measured with the right tool-

there is always the possibility that one guy is the exception to the rule (Darwin's rule in this case) :whistle:

the odds are they are 2 1/2 - get the RST's in any case, they are great shells - and the lighter recoil will be better for that over 100 year old wood.

Measure it. It is the only way to know what chamber length you have. What frame size is your gun?

Frame size = 2 (12 gauge)

Chamber length at that time could have been either 2 9/16" or 2 5/8" - I've seen both in 12 gauge guns of that period. I have a DH made in 1898 with 2 9/16" chambers that I have shot a lot of 2 3/4" shells with. It beat up my shoulder pretty good so now I shoot RST 2 1/2" Lites and all is well.

Most Parker Bros. 12-gauge guns from the mid-1890s on left Meriden with 2 5/8 inch chambers and were intended for use with 12-gauge 2 3/4 inch or shorter paper shells. A few 12-gauge guns were ordered for the longer shells, which came with more and better wadding, 2 7/8, 3 or even 3 1/4 inch.

Odds are the chambers are 2 5/8" and as mentioned above Parker later on began suggesting using 2 3/4" shells. The theory was that if the hull opened partially in the forcing cone then a better gas seal would be made as the wads transitioned from the hull into the bore. I shoot thousands of 2 3/4" hulls each year in my Parker's and in shorter 2 1/2" English guns and have never had any difficulty or pressure problems. Nor have I noticed increased recoil. Out of respect for the gun avoid using high velocity factory rounds.