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<  16ga. Ammunition & Reloading  ~  2-1/2" Shells in 2-3/4" Chambers?
salish
PostPosted: Thu Sep 22, 2022 10:56 am  Reply with quote



Joined: 19 Oct 2015
Posts: 94
Location: seattle, wa

I now no longer have any 16ga guns with the older short chamber. All I have are 2-3/4" guns, but I still have a few boxes of the RST and S&B(?) 2-1/2" shells. Can they still be used in my 2-3/4" shotguns? I'm thinking specifically of an LC Smith sxs I have, rather than my Model 12 guns. I'm assuming there will be a small leap to the forcing cone, but don't know if it will alter the pattern adversely. Obviously, I will pattern some loads, but I was just curious if any others have tried this.

Thanks,
Cliff
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Hootch
PostPosted: Thu Sep 22, 2022 11:39 am  Reply with quote



Joined: 28 Mar 2008
Posts: 1460
Location: Eagle, Nebraska

they sure can. When reloading, I load almost all in short hulls (roll crimped) mainly because I have both chambered guns, so no need to worry about it.
Plus, its same load I was loading in 2.75" but it fits in 2.5" roll crimped hull.

I shoot some short hulls in 12ga side by side too.
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fn16ga
PostPosted: Thu Sep 22, 2022 11:42 am  Reply with quote
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Joined: 09 Jan 2013
Posts: 2165
Location: Florida

No problem, they will work just fine. No need to pattern them, unless you just want too.

I shoot 2.5" shells in my 2 3/4" guns all the time


Last edited by fn16ga on Thu Sep 22, 2022 1:05 pm; edited 1 time in total
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salish
PostPosted: Thu Sep 22, 2022 11:48 am  Reply with quote



Joined: 19 Oct 2015
Posts: 94
Location: seattle, wa

Great responses, thank you. Do either of you shoot these short shells in a Model 12? I love the Elsie double but the old nickel steel Model 12's are my go-to shotguns. Thanks again.
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Stx4wheeler
PostPosted: Thu Sep 22, 2022 1:09 pm  Reply with quote



Joined: 06 Jan 2021
Posts: 89
Location: Florida

I make some 20 gauge 2 1/2” 1/2, 5/8, and 11/16 oz loads for wife/new shooters and they pattern really nicely especially when you compare them to loads out a similar 410.

All of my 20 gauges are chambered in 3” and I shoot 2.5” without issues.
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salish
PostPosted: Thu Sep 22, 2022 1:17 pm  Reply with quote



Joined: 19 Oct 2015
Posts: 94
Location: seattle, wa

Stx4wheeler wrote:
I make some 20 gauge 2 1/2” 1/2, 5/8, and 11/16 oz loads for wife/new shooters and they pattern really nicely especially when you compare them to loads out a similar 410.

All of my 20 gauges are chambered in 3” and I shoot 2.5” without issues.


Good to know, thanks.
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RGuill96971
PostPosted: Thu Sep 22, 2022 1:29 pm  Reply with quote



Joined: 21 Mar 2019
Posts: 519
Location: Texas

Stx4wheeler wrote:
I make some 20 gauge 2 1/2” 1/2, 5/8, and 11/16 oz loads for wife/new shooters and they pattern really nicely especially when you compare them to loads out a similar 410.

All of my 20 gauges are chambered in 3” and I shoot 2.5” without issues.


are these book loads? I have a 2 1/2 book load with unique. I would be interested in the 11/16 and 5/8 oz load if you would share.
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Stx4wheeler
PostPosted: Thu Sep 22, 2022 6:21 pm  Reply with quote



Joined: 06 Jan 2021
Posts: 89
Location: Florida

RGuill96971 wrote:
Stx4wheeler wrote:
I make some 20 gauge 2 1/2” 1/2, 5/8, and 11/16 oz loads for wife/new shooters and they pattern really nicely especially when you compare them to loads out a similar 410.

All of my 20 gauges are chambered in 3” and I shoot 2.5” without issues.

. I have a 2 1/2 book load with unique. I would be interested in the 11/16 and 5/8 oz load if you would share.


No but they started as book loads for 20 gauge federal using the sg wads. Then I looked to 28 gauge data for even further powder drop reductions.

I do have some loaded and boxed up that need to go to armburst or precision to get official numbers but I think they are going to comeback well below barrel is left pretty dirty. I’m currently using longshot. Of the couple powders I tested longshot was the least in the recoil department even though I do realize it’s meant for pushing heavier payloads.

I will post results once I get results back.
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putz463
PostPosted: Fri Sep 23, 2022 3:54 am  Reply with quote
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Joined: 06 Oct 2007
Posts: 2343
Location: West MI

No issues, do it all the time in my 2.75" 16ga guns and think of the all the Waterfowlers out there shooting 2.75, 3 & 3.5" shells, sometimes mixed in the same mag tube, in 3.5" guns without a second thought.

Only issues I've heard of and seen is the shorter less powerful shells sometimes not cycling some actions.

_________________
Sorry, I'm a Duck Hunter so shouldn't be held strictly responsible for my actions between Oct 1st and ice up.
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salish
PostPosted: Fri Sep 23, 2022 10:20 am  Reply with quote



Joined: 19 Oct 2015
Posts: 94
Location: seattle, wa

putz463 wrote:
No issues, do it all the time in my 2.75" 16ga guns and think of the all the Waterfowlers out there shooting 2.75, 3 & 3.5" shells, sometimes mixed in the same mag tube, in 3.5" guns without a second thought.

Only issues I've heard of and seen is the shorter less powerful shells sometimes not cycling some actions.


Thank you. I do sometimes have an issue with some shells in my older A5's, but tweaking the friction ring seems to solve it. Appreciate your thoughts.
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Old colonel2
PostPosted: Fri Sep 23, 2022 10:12 pm  Reply with quote



Joined: 07 Jun 2020
Posts: 224

Concur with others 2 1/2 can easily be used in 2 3/4 chambers.

However, unless you are short 2 3/4 loads, selling them on to someone who cannot shoot 2 3/4 and is in need of shorter shells would be most grateful to pay their fair value and shipping.

There are more than a few in need of them and RST is dry for now.
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Hootch
PostPosted: Sun Sep 25, 2022 9:48 am  Reply with quote



Joined: 28 Mar 2008
Posts: 1460
Location: Eagle, Nebraska

one reason I roll crimped, besides the short hulls was using them in the old Sweet 16 the rolled hulled seemed to function better in it. With fold crimp, every once in a while, a hull get caught up trying to eject, not so with the rolled hulls.
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Rick O
PostPosted: Sun Sep 25, 2022 3:49 pm  Reply with quote
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Joined: 16 Dec 2004
Posts: 202
Location: Southern California

...Hundreds and more of 2-1/2" RST and PolyWad through Model 12 w no issues.

We were talking about this here another time, and I told of my once getting a Scotch Triple on Whitewing with 2-1/2" RST 3/4 oz 7.5's via MOD choked 16 ga. Model 12.
Bummer we cannot use that bitchen ammo here in CA anymore,in the field anyway.
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