old gun, new shells

[24 grams]

My 1927 16 gauge VH has 2 1/2" chambers on a 1 frame. I also shoot other 2 3/4" 16 gauge guns, and I am thinking about lengthening the chambers to 2 3/4# on the Parker, so that I don't have to worry about which cartridge I put in the gun.
Are #1 frame 16 gauge barrels stout enough to lengthen to 2 3/4"?

[Jeff Elder]

Originally Posted by Steven Groh

My 1927 16 gauge VH has 2 1/2" chambers on a 1 frame. I also shoot other 2 3/4" 16 gauge guns, and I am thinking about lengthening the chambers to 2 3/4# on the Parker, so that I don't have to worry about which cartridge I put in the gun.
Are #1 frame 16 gauge barrels stout enough to lengthen to 2 3/4"?

The Winchester super X one once measure 2 5/8 so do Agular and hearters

[Dean Romig]

I reload all of my 2 1/2” shells, 12, 16 and 20 gauge. But then, components aren’t easy to find either… and they’re not cheap either.





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[Mike of the Mountain]

I find it hard to believe those guns are chambered for 2 1/2” shells. Out of all my Parkers I only have one that is truly a 2 1/2” gun. That is a top-lever O frame 16g hammer gun. I’d get a good digital caliper to take your measurements. I was never a fan of those drop-in chamber and choke gauges.

One can always have the chambers lengthened if your BWT is good.

[Bill Murphy]

What "expensive" components are specifically for 2 1/2" shells? I use the same primers, powder, wads, and shot for both 2 1/2" and 2 3/4" shells. I load in 2 1/2" RST empties that I pick up at Side by Side shoots.

[Mike of the Mountain]

Originally Posted by Bill Murphy

What "expensive" components are specifically for 2 1/2" shells? I use the same primers, powder, wads, and shot for both 2 1/2" and 2 3/4" shells. I load in 2 1/2" RST empties that I pick up at Side by Side shoots.

Bill, the majority of 2 1/2” recipes call for Gualandi “short gun” SG wads which are designed to fit in the smaller capacity hulls.

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by Bill Murphy

What "expensive" components are specifically for 2 1/2" shells? I use the same primers, powder, wads, and shot for both 2 1/2" and 2 3/4" shells. I load in 2 1/2" RST empties that I pick up at Side by Side shoots.

My comment was meant to imply the fact that components aren’t so cheap anymore, not just for 2 1/2” loading.





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[Clark McCombe]

What is the downside to lengthening the chamber to 2 5/8 or 2 3/4?

[Mike of the Mountain]

Originally Posted by Clark McCombe

What is the downside to lengthening the chamber to 2 5/8 or 2 3/4?

If it’s a “shooter” which is a gun that will be used instead of looked at and held onto as an investment, the upside is being able to shoot regular competition or hunting loads out of it.

[Stan Hillis]

Originally Posted by Clark McCombe

What is the downside to lengthening the chamber to 2 5/8 or 2 3/4?

Loss of originality, nothing else as long as the barrel wall thicknesses are sufficient to safely do the chamber lengthening. As Mike said, no real downside for a shooter.