2 1/2 " shells in 2 3/4 " chamber ?

[John Peddie]

I was given a box of British-made Kent Tungsten-Matrix 12 ga. shells.

Can I shoot these in my older (1948 and 1958) 12 ga. Ithaca 37s?

- Feeding

- Extraction

- Other issues

Kent TM is very hard to find in Canada, and I'm hoping to give the old girls a small workout on ducks.

Can't use steel in those old guns.

 

[Virginian]

If you are measuring the unfired shell length, it is 2-3/4" after firing. In any event you can shoot 2-1/2" shells safely in any chamber 2-1/2" or longer. Whether you have cycling difficulties or not I cannot say, but probably will be fine. Kent TM are excellent shells, and are safe in any gun safe for lead.

 

[John Peddie]

Actual length per box is 65 mm

Should have been clearer.

These have a solid top wad and "old style" roll crimp. The actual fired length would be about 2 1/2 " as nearly as I can tell with a ruler.

 

[CaptTripps]

I'd like to piggy-back on this question. Is it safe to use steel in an older gun? I have a 1937 Model 12, modified choke. I bought some shells for it the other day. I didn't notice/realize they are steel. #6 shot, Super-X H/V. The gun is in great shape. I know a lot of people say not to, and there are some who say it is not a problem. I only will use this one box but I want to make sure it won't hurt the gun.

 

[rcmodel]

I wouldn't shoot them in an old Model 12.

The barrels on guns that old are thinner at the muzzle, and softer steel then today's steel shot rated guns.

It might not hurt it.
But it might swage the choke out too?

Best to error on the safe side and not risk it.

rc

 

[Jim Watson]

I wouldn't shoot steel in a vintage Model 12.
Will the people who say it is ok replace your gun if it bulges the barrel?

 

[oneounceload]

If your gun is 2-3/4", then 2-1/2" is fine.

 

[goon]

The big danger with 2.5" and 2.75" shells and guns is that many 2.5" chambers will easily accept a 2.75" shell. However, when fired and the crimp opens up, the star crimp part of the shell may enter the bore and create a partial obstruction right where the chamber ends, causing pressures to spike. Just something to throw in while we're talking about 2.5" chambers and old guns.

 

[artee]

We're not talking about 2 1/2 in chambers. The shotgun in question is 12ga 2 3/4 in chamber. Ithaca Model 37 12 gauges never had a 2 1/2 chamber.
The ammo in question seems to be 2 1/2 in.

It's safe to use the 2 1/2 in AMMO in the 2 3/4 in GUN. Model 37's have a talent for randomly dropping a shell out the bottom/feed/ejection port when you rack it. With the shorter shell, it may be less than random.

 

[goon]

Didn't say it was unsafe to shoot 2.5" in a longer chamber - it obviously isn't. At some point in the future, when some new guy searches for 2.5" shells and chambers, he will find this thread and maybe find an answer.

But the info on the model 37's dropping shells out the bottom - that's good to know.
Have a great afternoon.

 

[oneounceload]

The big danger with 2.5" and 2.75" shells and guns is that many 2.5" chambers will easily accept a 2.75" shell.

Of course they will since the unfired 2-3/4 shell is about 2-1/2 or so. Shell length is the fired length, and older roll crimp ammo has a different unfired length than regular crimped shells.