16ga.com ~ View topic - Uh-oh, I may have screwed up...

Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Posts: 18

This is my first post on this site, so be easy on me...

Without thinking about the gun's chamber length, I shot a box of 2 3/4 shells through a 1924 Nitro Special. Everything seemed to work fine, but here are my questions:

1. What damage did I do if the chamber is 2 9/16" (I didn't have any trouble loading the cartridges or closing the action)

2. Is there an easy way to tell at home what the chamber length is, or do I need to go to a gunshop,

3. If it is a 2 9/16" chamber, should I have it lengthened or just buy shorter shells.

It shot and felt great, btw.

*Last edited by revdocdrew on Mon Oct 16, 2006 11:45 am; edited 1 time in total*

No worries mate Very Happy

Check out this thread:
http://www.16ga.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1694
This has been discussed alot since it is such a common issue with classic SxSs. Likely NO increase in chamber pressure shooting plastic 2 3/4" shells in a 2 9/16" chamber (and your Nitro started that way but no way to know now without measuring-Galazan's sells a little gauge for $40: #TO320 www.connecticutshotgun.com)
It MIGHT increase recoil somewhat and with 80 year old wood I personally would have the chambers lengthened:
Larry Feland 281-550-3553 http://felandgunsmith.com/
Kirk Merrington in Kerrville, TX http://kirkmerrington.net/
Champlin Arms is in Enid, OK http://www.champlinarms.com/Default.aspx?tabid=28
Briley's
Michael R. Orlen
79 Salem Street
Amherst, MA 01002
(413) 256-1630
michael.orlen@verizon.net
http://members.aol.com/sgunbore/brochure.gif

Member Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 1545 Location: Michigan

No, you didn't screw up. Everything is just dandy. Wink

Read this post:
http://www.16ga.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1694

Member Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 1545 Location: Michigan

Hey Rev, Great Minds Think A Like Laughing

Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Posts: 18

Thanks for the quick and polite responses. I did try to search your site for the answer before I posted the question, but I guess I didn't look hard enough Embarassed

Member Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 1545 Location: Michigan

Spyder, that search feature can be a pain in the rear sometimes.
Welcome to the site, and feel free to ask any qustion you want. The only stupid question is the one you don't ask. Wink

or the one rev and kat/dog ask

[insert the obligitory "You messed up bad and I'll give you 1/2 list value for your newly made junk" response here]
Cool

welcome on spyder!

Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Posts: 18

Now I get it... I think. I always assumed a 2.75" shell was 2.75" long (after crimping) and therefore would be "jammed" into a 2 9/16 chamber. Never really thought to measure them until now. So it's really an issue of the extra shot charge the shell can hold.

Is that right?

You got it brother-a 2 3/4" (70mm) shell is 2 3/4" after being fired
My 1922 20g Trojan's chamber is closer to 2 3/8 than 2 1/2" (the standard for 20g then) and recoil with 2 3/4" AA target loads is brutal. I suspect the case mouth makes it well into the forcing cone.