Reloading and short chambers

[Smoothebore]

Paul and Mark,

I also have a 10ga lifter with 2 5/8" chambers. Made in 1875, it has the step from chamber to bore rather than a forcing cone. I purchased Rocky Mountain Brass at 2 5/8" for loading black powder and they work very well. I wanted to try some smokeless loads, so I loaded Sherman Bell's lowest pressure target load at about 4800 psi in a 2 7/8" shell, and they worked very well. Then I tried Sherman Bell's lowest hunting load at around 5800 psi if I'm remembering correctly. This load in a 2 7/8" shell resulted in tremendous recoil that made it hard to hold onto the gun. I haven't tried that load again because it was unsafe for this gun.
I'm wondering if anyone else has had any problems with longer shells in shorter chambers, or if my problem was a matter of pressure for the configuration of this gun?

Dave

[Roundsworth]

Dave, I have been told more than once that the 2-7/8" RST ammo would be safe in my 2-5/8" chambers because of the negligible step from chamber to bore. When I get around to loading my own, I plan on trimming the Federal hull to 2-5/8" and using Mr. Bell's loading info. My original idea was the RMC brass cases, but with smokeless. I don't know if anyone here has tried smokeless in the brass cases or if it is even feasible.