Ammo issues in repro’s?

[mikeschneider]

I have a 28 gauge Repro, have had issues with Aguila ammo…couldn’t open the gun after firing it…happened more than once. Can’t recall other brands giving me problems…considering buying some Rio ammo from Rogers, curious if anyone has had experience with Rio in their Repro… 2 3/4”, #5 copper plated lead, 1250 fps…$15.99/box by the case…thx!

[J. Scott Hanes]

Assuming you are able to open the gun after a while, inspect the head of the shell. Did the firing pin pierce the primer? is the primer flattened out, filling the primer cup opening or raised up from the primer cup? Is your chamber clean? With steel-headed ammunition, it is more important to keep the chamber clean, because the head expands on firing and does not return to shape like brass does. Therefore, if the chamber is dirty, the shell will tend to stick tighter. There is also variance in the dimensions or thickness of the rolled steel used in the manufacturing process which could affect a batch of loaded shells.

[David C Porter]

Sometimes, certain brands don't work well in certain shotguns. I had problems with Clallenger 12ga sheels sometimes slipping under the ejector & getting stuck in my Perazzi. Hell of a time trying to pri it out. Found every so offten the shell base steel measured .020" undersized & steel head base was much shorter than other manufacturers. The Challengers worked OK in my Krieghoff, because the ejector throw was much shorter than my Perazzi, & did not slip under & behind the ejector.

Also, your chamber could be slightly under sized (there is an exceptable +/- in chamber size) and/or the Rio sheels could be slightly oversized. Get the caliper out & do some measurements.

[mikeschneider]

Thanks for the help!

[Bob Jurewicz]

I had a 20 GA Repro with insufficient "rim recess" causing the spent shell to jam tightly against the breach. Made opening very difficult. I got a reamer and deepened the recess solving the problem.
Bob Jurewicz