Parker Bros. certainly didn't rush into making the chambers of their 20-gauge guns longer after Western Cartridge Co. introduced their 20-gauge Super-X shel in a 2 3/4 inch case in 1922. A year earlier Remington Arms Co., Inc. introduced their sleek little Model 17 pump gun for the 2 3/4 inch 20-gauge shell. I've got a 1930-vintage, VH-Grade, 26-inch barrel, 0-frame, 20-gauge and it is chambered for the old style 2 1/2 inch 20-gauge shell. With Parker Bros. policy of holding chambers 1/8 inch shorter than the intended shell, their guns actually have 2 3/8 inch chambers. Same with A.H. Fox Gun Co.
Chamber depth is considered to be the distance between the breech end of the barrels and the joint between the chamber body itself and the forcing cone, which reduces down to bore diameter. This is loosely based on the length of the "Fired" shell. Today, theoretically when the crimp opens on the shell being fired the end would land at the junction of the chamber and cone. Prior to WW-II many companies had the practice of holding the chamber about 1/8 inch shorter than the shell for which it was intended. Fly in the ointment is nominal measurements often differ from actual ones in both chambers and shells. A very good method I have found of measuring chambers without much outlay of cash, and is quite accurate enough for virtually any situation, is a common 6" flexible machinist's scale which you likely have. Hold the barrels with muzzles toward a light source, not necessarily a concentrated one a window is great, while looking into the breech and the cone will be thrown in a shadow. May have to move the barrels around a little until it is distinct. While still looking into the chamber simply slide the scale in until you observe the end coming flush with the shadow line & mark position of breech end with your thumb. Remove and read the scale. I usually repeat this a few times to insure I am getting a consistent reading, but you will be amazed how accurate this can be done. While I own a Galazan chamber gauge, I use this more often than not. The chamber body itself has a taper of about .005" per inch. Sometimes chambers were cut with slightly worn reamers giving a slight undersize chamber. If the chamber is a bit undersize a gauge made to "industry" standards will not go in to the true depth of the chamber. A.H. Fox Gun Co. shotguns are known for having tight chambers. The machinist’s scale method can be more accurate.
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