28 gauge 2 7/8" chambers and shells

mobirdhunter · 10-20-2018, 11:23 AM

I saw a 28 gauge Parker shotgun advertised recently that was listed to have 2 7/8 inch chambers. I can't find the listing again, but as I recall the gun was made in 1923.

Ironically, I recently also came across a box of 2 7/8" shells. I know there's a great deal of knowledge out there regarding old shells/loads and chamber lengths. Does anyone know when these shells might have been made, and/or when 2 7/8" chambers were offered by Parker Brothers?

Researcher · 10-20-2018, 12:18 PM

When the 28-gauge was introduced in North America, the "standard" 28-gauge load was 1 3/4 drams of bulk smokeless powder or 14 grains of dense smokeless powder such as Infallible or Ballistite pushing 5/8 ounce of shot out of a 2 1/2 inch case. A slightly hotter load of 2 drams of bulk smokeless powder or 16 grains of dense smokeless powder such as Infallible or Ballistite pushing 5/8 ounce of shot out of a 2 7/8 inch case.

28-gauge Bulk Smokeless Powder Loads 1915-16.jpeg

28-gauge Dense Smokeless Powder Loads 1915-16 Infallible or Ballistite.jpg

TARGET 28-ga.jpg

Early Long 28-gauge Peters TARGET.jpg

Around 1931-2, high velocity, progressive burning smokeless powder caught up to the 28-gauge and the 3/4 ounce load, Western Super-X, Peters High-Velocity, etc. were introduced.

28-gauge Super-X #6.jpg

28-gauge High Velocity #6.jpg

NID 28-ga Field & Stream April 1932.jpg

Shortly before WW-II, our ammunition companies began putting up their 28-gauge Skeet Loads in a 2 3/4 inch case, and shortly after the war the 2 1/2 and 2 7/8 inch cases disappeared and all 28-gauge loads came in a 2 3/4 inch case.

charlie cleveland · 10-20-2018, 09:00 PM

there now makeing 3 inch loads in the 28 ga....charlie

Researcher · 10-21-2018, 12:07 PM

Around 1960-61 the Olin brothers began stuffing a full ounce in the 2 3/4 inch 28-gauge case --

1 ounce 28-gauge shells.jpg

As far as I know Remington & Peters didn't join in on this, and Federal introduced a 7/8 ounce load.

6pt-Sika · 10-22-2018, 05:52 AM

Thirty years ago a fellow I worked with sold me 5 or 6 boxes of 28 gauge 2 3/4” 7/8 ounce shells all 6’s and 7 1/2’s if memory serves . And of course they long since been shot up . Seems to me the ones I had were REM or Peters .

mobirdhunter · 10-22-2018, 09:08 AM

Great information! Many thanks to my colleagues.

Now, does anyone know when Parker Brothers started making 2 7/8" chambered 28s? I'm away from my library and so don't have access to TPS.

Thanks again.

(Dave, you are a treasure trove of in-depth information!!)

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.