10 Gauge Chamber Lengths:

[ArtS]

I have an 1874 and an 1880, both 2-5/8. Both of these are 9 gauge barrels which was the norm until later in the century. Even unmolested, the barrels are quite a bit larger than a regular 10 bore barrel and Parker even made reference as to the best load being with 9 gauge wads. This is also what is recommend by Magtech with their shells. I have a number of the cases you mention, and load them with 9 gauge wads under the powder and 8 gauge overshot. They fit perfectly and work well. I have also used a couple of brands of plastic uniwads, and they function fine, but are a little loose in the brass hulls. If your gun has a typical barrel,I would have no qualms about the stepped chamber, unless it gives problems in cold weather. The wadsare actually a little undersized for the bore size.

[Bruce P Bruner]

Originally Posted by Arthur Shaffer

I have an 1874 and an 1880, both 2-5/8. Both of these are 9 gauge barrels which was the norm until later in the century. Even unmolested, the barrels are quite a bit larger than a regular 10 bore barrel and Parker even made reference as to the best load being with 9 gauge wads. This is also what is recommend by Magtech with their shells. I have a number of the cases you mention, and load them with 9 gauge wads under the powder and 8 gauge overshot. They fit perfectly and work well. I have also used a couple of brands of plastic uniwads, and they function fine, but are a little loose in the brass hulls. If your gun has a typical barrel, I would have no qualms about the stepped chamber, unless it gives problems in cold weather. The wads are actually a little undersized for the bore size.

I'm thinking my barrels could be 9 Gauge, though I have yet to see any information regarding 9 gauge Parker barrels. They seem very large and thick, wall thickness of .078+ at the muzzles, weighing a stout 10lbs. 2.5oz. Unstruck barrels stamped 5lbs. 14ounces. The butt-stock is also very large and stout. Photo comparison: 1-1/2 frame 12 gauge and 3 frame 10 gauge.

[Researcher]

Bill Jolliff gave me a couple of notebooks full of vintage shotshell info. Among the info is a copy of an 1886/7 Chamberlin Cartridge Co. catalog. For every style of their ammo there were specific 10- and 12-gauge loadings for Parker Bros. guns with over-size wads.

1886-7 page 7 Parker Load Highlighted.jpg