Chamber length

[Dean Romig]

I don't think there is any logical answer to these questions. The reasons for chamber length vs. shell length probably died along with the men who devised them.

Determining 'originality' may be the only good reason for measuring chambers these days, in view of the fact that none of us intentionally overload our old guns, either by length of cartridge or by the ballistics of the loads we use.






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[Researcher]

So, what were American 12-gauge 2-5/8" paper shells intended for ..... 2-1/2" chambers? What American guns were those? By maker and model please ...... ?

The main ones I can think of were the Winchester Model 1893 and the Spencer pumps. Here is a fairly light 12-gauge Parker Bros. made for 2 5/8 inch shells (sorry I didn't keep track of the original poster of this picture) --



I have seen record cards for Ansley H. Fox two barrel sets where the longer tighter choked set was ordered for 2 3/4 inch shells and the shorter more open choked barrels for 2 5/8 inch shells.

Also, why did Savage routinely rechamber 12-gauge Foxes that were sent in for repair to 2-3/4" and reproof/stamp the barrels as such? If 2-5/8" chambers were intended for 2-3/4" shells, why not leave well enough alone?

Probably lawyers!! That policy may have had more to do with 20-gauge guns originally chambered 2 3/8 inch intended for the 2 1/2 inch shells, and 16-gauge guns chambered 2 7/16 inch intended for the 2 9/16 inch shells.