Question on Chamber Length

[Austin W Hogan]

Sorry Bill; I am really looking for a solid citation about this irrespective of who prepared it. I think that the experimental results of measurement of Parker competition guns, and Super Foxes are in direct conflict with the idea that long cases in short chambers produce better patterns than short chambers and short forcing cones. I would really like to find the original, and continuing publications that present the short chamber theory.

Anyway; I look forward to seeing you and Kevin Saturday.

Best, Austin

[Bill Murphy]

I think gas sealing was always the reason for 1/8" shorter chambers. I don't think that better patterns were ever a part of the equation. Pete, I don't disagree that lengthening chambers is a benign act on a less than collectable gun. However, no one can argue that it doesn't cost money, and doesn't sometimes lower the price of a gun when offered to a serious collector. I would rather have the extra steel in the area of the forcing cone than a couple of hundred pound feet of pressure. The very small rise in pressure has been proven empirically, the cost of drilling out barrels and the related shipping expense doesn't need to be proven. It is there.

[J.B. Books]

Hi Bill, not trying to argue just asking food for thought questions.

What about my other questions? Especially did Parker change to 2 3/4" 12 ga and if so when? Did Parker or Remington at any time ever lengthen or recommend lengthening chambers? Is there any documentation?

What does Turnbull, DelGrego, Kearcher etc. recommend today?

2 5/8" to 2 3/4" is not much of a jump but 2 1/2" to 2 3/4" is at least in my mind.

If Parker had survived into the modern times would they recommend leaving chambers alone of bring them to SAAMI standards (even if it was just for liability reasons)?

Seems to me we have a gamut of high condition orginal high grade guns to solid but very worn knockabouts. Altering a museum quality firearm is probably not a good idea. Lengthening chambers and forcing cones could be a good choice on a low grade shooter where performance matters more than collectibility

Shotguns have evolved and knowledge of how they perform has improved. I believe it is a given today that shotgun performance is improved through back boring, long forcing cones and chambers sized to current shells.

I have wondered if P Brothers thought it would be easier, cheaper and less trouble to market 2 5/8" chambers for 2 3/4" shells than to retool and consider modifying all existing guns to meet the changes occuring in the early part of the 20th century.

The cost of lengthening chambers is there but it is not significant to what the average price of gun is including Trojans.

Just my .02 Pete