28 gauge 2 7/8" chambers and shells

Researcher · 10-22-2018, 11:23 AM

Chas. Askins was writing about his heavy 30-inch barrel Parker Bros. 28-gauge chambered for 2 7/8 inch shells in his 1910 book The American Shotgun. Ole Chas. said he was handloading 2 1/8 drams and 3/4 ounce of shot!!

FWIW the May 1900 UMC catalog only shows 2 1/2 inch 28-gauge cases but the April 1901 UMC catalog includes the 2 7/8 inch case.

mobirdhunter · 10-23-2018, 09:02 AM

Askins (both of them) sure liked them heavy and hot.

Thanks again, Dave, for this information!

Dean Romig · 10-23-2018, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Noreen

Chas. Askins was writing about his heavy 30-inch barrel Parker Bros. 28-gauge chambered for 2 7/8 inch shells in his 1910 book The American Shotgun. Ole Chas. said he was handloading 2 1/8 drams and 3/4 ounce of shot!!

FWIW the May 1900 UMC catalog only shows 2 1/2 inch 28-gauge cases but the April 1901 UMC catalog includes the 2 7/8 inch case.

Dave, do you know if the 2 7/8” shell was designed for use in 2 3/4” chambers holding to the practice of shells being 1/8” longer than the chambers in order to ensure a better gas seal?

.

Researcher · 10-23-2018, 11:34 AM

The Remington era specification sheets on pages 164 to 167 of The Parker Story show that for the little guns, 28-gauge and .410-bore, the chamber was held 1/16 inch short -- 2 13/16 inch chamber for the 2 7/8 inch 28-gauge shell and 2 15/16 inch chamber for the 3-inch .410-bore shell.