28 ga. question

[John Hodges]

I have a circa 1920's 28 ga. that has been handed down and wondered if it is safe to shoot with current ammo, want to bust some clay targets with it.

[David]

I would think it would be fine You could allways have a gunsmith look her over good luck you have a rare parker Pictures would be nice

[Researcher]

The "standard" 28-gauge shell in the U.S. at the time your gun was made was a 2 1/2 inch shell with a smokeless powder load of 1 3/4 drams equiv. and 5/8 ounce of shot. RST offers a wonderful reproduction of this load. The loading companies did offer, on special order, a 2 7/8 inch 28-gauge shell with a load of 2 drams equiv. and 5/8 ounce of shot. About 1931 or 32, Western Cartridge Co. intorduced their Super-X load in a 2 7/8 inch 28-gauge case carrying a max load of progressive burning smokeless powder and 3/4 ounce of shot. Shortly after WW-II the 28-gauge was standardized in a 2 3/4 inch case. The 7/8 and 1 ounce Magnum 28-gauge loads came along in the 1950s and 60s.

[John Hodges]

having said all that, it seems you are inferring that today's 2 3/4" shell will not chamber correctly, is that correct?

[Bill Murphy]

It should go in fine. Most owners of 2 1/2" chambered Parker 28s do, in fact, use standard 2 3/4" 3/4 ounce loads in them. If you have the facilities or the inclination, you may choose to load or buy shorter or more lightly loaded shells, but it should not be neccesary. There is a problem with very early 28 gauge Parkers not accepting modern shells because of the actual diameter or the rim, but not because the length of the shell. We will assume that you will not have the rim diameter problem since your gun is not particularly early.