2 1/2" shells - where to get 'em

straightshooter

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Lots of posts lately by people wondering what shells they should be using in vintage guns and, more importantly, where to find them.

So, I decided to check where I got mine and see if there are any left for the rest of you.:D

Good news. Gamebore, 6-shot, 1 oz loads in 2 1/2" are in stock at P&D Enterprises in Edmonton (GunNutz sponsor - see banner ads above).

They have boxes of 12 gauge (Pure Gold) for $20.00 and boxes of 16 gauge (Traditional Game) for 18.00. They also found boxes of the "Traditional Game" shells in 28 gauge (2 3/4"), but I didn't get the price for those.

They couldn't find any in 20 gauge while I was holding on the phone, so those may be out-of-stock.

The shells that they found were in single boxes on the shelf, so there's also a remote possibility that flats can still be had.

NOTE: These shells are manufactured in the UK where shot sizes are slightly different than in North America. The 6-shot in these shells is closest to the N.A. 7 1/2" shot size.

Disclaimer: These are nitro smokeless powder shells that are designed to produce lower pressures than modern commercial shells and will properly fit 2 1/2" chambered guns. When in doubt, have your gun checked by a qualified professional. Purchasers of these shells do so at their own risk.
 
One of my favorite shotguns is a light English, sidelock and straight stock beauty I picked up at a hardware store in Naniamo years ago. The maker, J.S. Boreham and it has 2 1/2" chambers. A local well known English gunsmith checked it out and said it would be fine to use standard 2 3/4" trap shells, which I did for years. However, at a gun show in Duncan about two years ago, I lucked into two cases of Eley Grandprix 2 1/2" cartridges:D.

JSBorehamEnglishSxS25in12ga.jpg


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I posted this on another thread, but if my own experience in 2010 is anything to go on, getting 2 1/2 inch shells should be no problem.

In the spring, I ordered 10 boxes of 25 Pure Gold 2 1/2 12 gauge shells from my local gun shop, who is a Kent dealer. They called Kent, the shells were ready for pick up in about three days. I checked because I also shoot 16 gauge and they had the Traditional Game in stock as well.

The way it works at wholesale (I own a wholesale company selling to retailers) is the more consumer inquiries and special orders a retailer gets, the more likely the retailer is to stock an item.

The more DIFFERENT retailers call Kent up and ask about or order some Game Bore Pure Gold or Traditional Game 2 1/2 inch shells, the more Kent will think there is a good market for this stuff and ensure they have stock of what they have offered as well as consider expanding the range.
 
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