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Does anyone offer a 2 1/2 16 shell? I have a Browning A5 that I don't really want to have modified to take the 2 3/4 shells.

Will it still cycle?

I bought some from Orvis 10ish years ago and they failed to cycle, I don't think the cases were trimmed short enough (but I don't really know) All advice is appreciated

Member Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Posts: 358 Location: Houston

There's a thread around her somewhere about the subject that you could search for, but here's the meat of it that I pulled and saved.

I'm sorry now that I didn't record the date of the post, but it was by revdocdrew, a true font of wisdom.

This should get you started:

2 ½” shells (list by revdoc)

Polywad 'Vintager' http://www.polywad-shotgun-shells.com 800-998-0669
Eley http://eleyshotshells.com 512-821-9953 or
http://www.kirklees-guns.co.uk/Eley%20Hawk/Eley%20Hunting.htm
Kent/Gamebore http://www.firearmservice.com 512-821-9953
RST http://www.rstshells.com 570-553-1651 Will mix and match shot size in a case purchase
B&P offers 67mm shells designed to shoot in 65mm chambers http://www.bandpusa.com/ 800-683-0464
WestleyRichards http://www.westleyrichards.com/gun/ammo_shot.php

May have been some changes (Eley??) since this list was first posted.

Member Joined: 15 Jan 2007 Posts: 40 Location: California

Your A5 is most probably a 2 9/16" chambered gun. All those I have checked with a chamber length gage were - not 2 1/2. The 2 1/2 length is a misnomer anyway.

I have Westley Richards shells and they are 65mm which is 2 9/16" in length - measured from a fired hull not 2 1/2", which is 63.5mm. RST's are also 65mm. I have them also. Gamebores are 65mm. The old Fiocchi 2 1/2 were also 65mm. All of them should work in your action which was designed for this length hull. Whether or not they will cycle the action is dependant upon their energy level. The low pressure RST's may not. The Gamebores are a higher pressure load so I would GUESS that they would. I don't shoot autos so don't truly know. I have never tried the Eley's.

I don't know if the B&P's would work for you. They are 67mm (2 5/8") long. I have a case of them and they are too long to successfully eject from the port in my 2 9/16" chambered 1923 Mod 12 although they cycle through it correctly. They hang up in the opening. They are also higher pressure than I like for my 1903 Parker, but if they would eject for you they probably would cycle the action.

There are so many short chambered A5's out there in use that you should be able to easily find loads which will work for you. Check out the web sites listed in the 662 thread.

The other alternative is to load your own, which is easy.

Good luck,

P

Joined: 11 Jan 2006 Posts: 311

My Short A5 works fine with Gamebore 2.5 inchers (available from Midwayusa.com by the box). Next time I need ammo I will purchase a flat of RST based on the good reports and cheaper price than Gamebore.

Member Joined: 09 Oct 2007 Posts: 9 Location: Utah

Ash,

You can purchase 2 1/2 in. 16ga shells from:

westleyrichards.com

rstshells.com

woodcockhill.com

Good Luck

Bud

Funny you should mention 2 1/2 shells. I was as a shop called Ivory Beads, and they said they could get 2 1/2 inch shells if I wanted them.

Nice people and a nice shop, I'll post on the general forum about them.

Michael

Member Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Posts: 1522 Location: NH

Buy direct from RST. You won't be sorry. No, I'm not connected to them. Just have shot a lot of their 2.5" shells and would highly reccomend them.

Joined: 30 Mar 2007 Posts: 10 Location: N.E. Michigan

I highly agree about RST buy a case to save on shipping and RST will mix different boxes of different shot sizes in the case. They function and pattern very well through my 1923 Winchester Model 12. I bought a split case of #5 & #6 prior to our South Dakota Pheasant hunt this past fall and was very pleased. They are also great people to deal with.

Member Joined: 16 Nov 2006 Posts: 1338