MEC 9000GN

[Cold Spring]

I just bought a MEC 9000 in 28-gauge and to load 2-3/4" shells as chambered by modern guns. Just trying to learn here. I thought the original 28g shotshells were 2-7/8" and later standardized at 2-3/4". What guns were made for 28g shells shorter than 2-3/4" (considering the Parker chamber convention of 1/8" short for the intended shell)?

[Bill Murphy]

The "original" 28s were not 2 7/8". They were 2 1/2 shells, with many chambers, Parker included, 2 3/8". I have fired thousands of rounds out of 28 gauge Parkers with 2 3/8" chambers using factory and reloaded 2 3/4" shells over 63 years. I have not had any problems. To be fair, these guns were all 0 frame 28s. If they were 00 frame guns, I may not have been so willing to shoot big shells in short chambers.

[Double Lab]

Like Bill, I have fired thousands of rounds of 2 3/4" ammo out of my two, OO frame 28's with no ill effects. I know that many prefer to load and shoot 2 1/2'' shells and that is a matter of personal preference. To each his own.

[edgarspencer]

Bill, Daryl, Frank, Randy, and others; I had to call MEC this morning to order a part and asked the gent I was speaking with if the press could be made to load 2 1/2", and he was pretty emphatic that the design wouldn't permit it. To an engineer, even a retired one, that sounded like a challenge. I've been staring at the press, run a few hulls through (and obviously spoiled them in the 'learning' process) and believe I have an idea which will require minimal work, without changing any of the press mechanics; merely substituting one 'modified' part.
I'll run it by the guy I spoke with, maybe on a Friday, knowing lots of people don't like thinking on a Monday.
Bill, I agree, in an 0 framed gun, digesting an extra 1/4" probably isn't an issue. That said, I have 1200-1500 short hulls and NPEs, and wads, and didn't really want to pack them away in the land of abandoned components.