Short Chambered 12's.

[Bruce Day]

As you choose.

I trust my point is apparent, that over the counter commercial cartridges are seldom 2 3/4" when fired despite what is marked on the box, that Parker intended chambers to be shorter than the fired cartridge, and that the minimal pressure rise from a slightly long cartridge extending into the forcing cone is beneficial and intended. Measurements of original marked 2 1/2 shells that we have shown here are longer than 2 1/2 when fired. Measurements of original marked 2 3/4" shells that we have shown here are frequently shorter than 2 3/4 when fired.

TPS has a table listing chamber lengths. In the end though, measurement is the only sure way to determine what it is. Your Trojan at 2 1/2" is exactly what it is supposed to be, see table at p 519 TPS. Depending on present condition, it was intended to handle over the counter cartridges up to service working loads of 9500 psi, see table, p. 515. I am sure you realize that opens a broad range of suitable cartridges .

For what its worth, several of us last season went through about a pallet of AA's through various grades of Parkers, including A's, damascus and fluid, C's and D's.

[J.B. Books]

Originally Posted by Bruce Day

Parker intended chambers to be shorter than the fired cartridge, and that the minimal pressure rise from a slightly long cartridge extending into the forcing cone is beneficial and intended.

Serious question, I am curious. Was this the case with all gauges; was this the case through every year of production?

Brian I don't believe you could hurt a 2 frame 12ga Trojan unless you purposefully set out to hurt it. I have shot every manner of shell from reloads to factory, from 7/8 to 1 3/8 ounce loads, both lead and bismuth through my first Parker, a 1913 Trojan 12. I have shot it a lot (thousands of shells) over the last 27 years. It remains as tight as the day it was made.

[J.B. Books]

Originally Posted by Bruce Day

......Parker intended chambers to be shorter than the fired cartridge, and that the minimal pressure rise from a slightly long cartridge extending into the forcing cone is beneficial and intended......

Although evidence exists that Parker intended chambers to be shorter than a fired shell there is also evidence ammunition manufacturers disagreed with that practice and they provided warning labels to that effect.

Vintage Remington Express 3 3/4 dram, 1 1/4 ounce 2 3/4" paper shell, star crimp I believe with card glued on top.





"These shells must not be used in guns having damascus or twist steel barrels, or chambers shorter than 2 3/4 inches"

Warning on the left side said it is dangerous to place 12ga shells in 8 gauge guns..... can't recall seeing that warning before over the more usual 20ga in a 12ga warning.