OK, Lots of Good Info But: Can I shoot this Ammo Or Not Next Week?
 

So you guys have been great introducing me to a lot of good info about my new Parker 16 ga VH grade 1928 dbl barrel type 1 shotgun. I bought it to hunt on Thanksgiving and got some ammo from the prior owner (he's in his 90's, has had the gun for so long he can't remember when he got it and never shot it)

I inserted a shell from the federal box pictured below. 28" barrels measured 25.75 inches from end of barrel to top of shell, so shell as crimped is 2.25 inches long, box says 2.75 shell so I guess that's after it has been shot.

Some say the ammo is okay for the gun. Others say have gunsmith look it over first. I see no issues but I'm a total newbie.

Some say the load is a bit heavy, though the fps and powder seem to be okay, it's the 1oz weight of the #6 shot which has one person warning about possible wood damage to the gun.

I asked and was told that I should get shells from RST. But of course they have none at this time.

So my new questions are these: hunt with it on Thanksgiving or not? Test fire what I have in the way of ammo or not? Invest in reloading equipment and do my own?

Best advice?

Using the simple way to measure your chamber length would help settle the question Marcus. Let us know what you find.

If your gun and barrels are solid, 2 1/2 dr eq 16g shells should be fine. 1160 FPS and 1 oz is a fine hunting load.

The shell length is the length of the hull after the shell has been fired.

My recommendation, start reloading. You can still use factory ammo when you can find it but if you roll your own you should have an ample supply when needed. Make sure you keep all your spent factory shells.

This.

I have some Remington empties from that type of shell and they measure 2 and 5/8 fired length. Measure as Drew said and let us know what you find. Also measured Remington high brass and Winchester at the same length.

Daniel, would those be 1970s vintage?

If i recall no earlier than 2010, Have some from the 60's but thought that would be out of anyones use.

Nobody over the internet can tell you if your gun is safe to shoot.

That being said, I am sure your gun has likely seen worse than those.

My 1st Parker was a 16 VHE 26” barrel and on the O frame and it had been used a lot, probably was under 6 lbs.
It was my only double for a 3 or 4 years and I used it in the 60’s for pheasants and ducks heavy loads of 6’s and 4’s also wood cock and partridge with 7 1/2.
No issues with the gun, however the recoil was excessive.
Also at that time never heard of 2-1/2 chambers.
Wish I still had it.

Just shoot the damn thing.

Some of these guys on here give advice about hunting loads but all they ever hunt are game farm pheasants and clay birds.....