Measuring for 12ga shell length?????

[mlebler]

So I bought this old Cooey Break-Action 12ga, but it doesn't state anywhere what size shells to use. So before I decide to put some 3.5 inch magnums in and blow myself up, how do you measure this to find out?

 

[catnthehatt]

So I bought this old Cooey Break-Action 12ga, but it doesn't state anywhere what size shells to use. So before I decide to put some 3.5 inch magnums in and blow myself up, how do you measure this to find out?

\Slide a sta9ight edge into the cahmber, and as soo as you feel the edge of the forcing cone, stop.
That is your length .
A 3" unfired shell will go into a 2 3/4" chamber, because the chamber is measeured on a fired case.

Cat

 

[mlebler]

\Slide a sta9ight edge into the cahmber, and as soo as you feel the edge of the forcing cone, stop.
That is your length .
A 3" unfired shell will go into a 2 3/4" chamber, because the chamber is measeured on a fired case.

Cat

Thanks, but what I'm mostly wondering is what length will tell me whether its a 2 3/4" or a 3". I've heard 3" chambers are actually 3.1" just slightly larger than 3" can anyone confirm this? If I measure it out and get 3.1" before the forcing cone, does this constitute a 3" shotgun?

 

[straightshooter]

Thanks, but what I'm mostly wondering is what length will tell me whether its a 2 3/4" or a 3". I've heard 3" chambers are actually 3.1" just slightly larger than 3" can anyone confirm this? If I measure it out and get 3.1" before the forcing cone, does this constitute a 3" shotgun?

Probably 2 3/4". A 3" chamber should be long enough (before the forcing cone) for the shell with the crimp open - roughly 3 1/4".

 

[Sharptail]

Whoa, correction there Straightshooter, the length of the shell with the crimp unfolded will be 3 inches (or 2 3/4 for that length). Shell length is measured with an uncrimped shell.

Sharptail

 

[ben hunchak]

The best way to tell is with two dif. guns side by side and in a safe area, one gun must have a known chamber length, try a loaded 3 1/2" and see how far it goes in compared to the other one with a known chamber length.

 

[mlebler]

The best way to tell is with two dif. guns side by side and in a safe area, one gun must have a known chamber length, try a loaded 3 1/2" and see how far it goes in compared to the other one with a known chamber length.

Good idea!