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Grouser

Grouser

CGN Regular
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Fredericton, NB
I don't know if this is the proper place but the reloading form is mostly geared to centerfire and modern shotgun stuff. I just bought a very nice British boxlock 2 1/2" Chambers, nitro proofed for 1 1/8 oz of shot. I have the shim kit for my Mec Jr to reduce the shell to 2.5. I'm looking for load data for 7/8 or 1 oz 2 1/2 shells. powder on hand: Green Dot, Red Dot. Universal Clays, Long Shot. Hope someone can help.
Thanks , John
 
John, have you considered roll crimping? If so I load short 16's with roll crimps. They can often be loaded with 2.75 loads because the only difference is that the case material for a fold crimp is not present on the short shells. My 16's are 2 9/16" can't see it making any difference to 2.5" in regards to a roll crimp. Just thinking out loud. PS do not ream it out to 2 3/4" ( I know you wouldn't think of it anyway!)

regards, darryl
 
Win/64 said:
Would it be safe to open it up to 2 3/4's?
Click to expand...

Chances are it would be safe since it is nitro proofed to 1 1/8, but it would then be out of proof per British standards. It could be sent back to England for re-proof after the chamber lengthening but it's costly, time consuming and may end up destroyed in the reproof process. There has been a lot of chatter on another forum about many guns being destroyed in the process lately in Birmingham that should not have been faulty.
Best all around to leave it alone, WSS in Winnipeg has Kent 2 1/2 shells on the shelves, if the OP has a WSS nearby and would like to forego reloading it's an acceptable option to buy some readymades.
 
As discussed here on other occasions, and as doccumented repeatedly in Double Gun Journal (DGJ) articles by Tom Armbrust and others.

Using readily available components, and without going through the hassle of shortening shells, roll-crimping etc. it is possible to reload preasure appropriate ammunition (in 2 3/4" cases) for use in short chambers.

My preffered 12 gauge "nitro-for -black" load is based on Federal Gold Label hulls, federal 12so 1oz wads, chedite primers & 700x. I can throw a 1oz load at +1200fps while keeping preasures down below 7000psi.

Most British field or upland guns are so diminutive in size/weight (between 6 - 7 lbs) they will not survive a steady diet of high preasure loads, nor will it be pleasant to shoot.

I shoot vintage damascus SXS's almost exclusively, and I really don't like black powder. I so shorten 16 gauge shells, and rollcrip different loads but not out of necessity.

Enjoy the new toy John!

Mark
 
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