2 1/2 Inch 12 Ga

[KCSO]

Just finished several boxes of 12 Ga 2 1/2 inch shells for my old doubles and used for the first time a new trimmer from Ballistic Products. This gizzy is spring loaded and trims old paper hulls clean and neat with just a twist. There is no brand on the thing but it is in their catalog. I did a hundred Federal paper hulls in less than 1/2 hour and the roll d=crimps came out perfect.

[Half Dog]

That’s great. A product that has been tested and didn’t fail is always good news. Thanks for letting us know.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

That is good news. I have a Stevens 16 Ga. that I purchased used in about 1958. I think it dated back to the early 1930s. It proved highly inaccurate. Since I was only about age 16 at the time it took me a number of years and some hap-hazard reading to learn that it was a 2 1/2" chambered shotgun trying to make it in a world of 2 3/4" shells. Finally, about 2008, I had the knowledge and the tooling to ream the chambers out to 2 3/4" plus a little and modify the forcing cones. Shoots really great now. Maybe 8 years ago I did a "do it yourself" thread for reaming shotgun chambers with lots of photos. I don't know if you can still bring it up or not, but it's something you might consider if you want to shoot standard buy-them-anywhere shells. But, custom loading is great fun also.


D

[stubshaft]

I have a delrin trimmer (I don't remember who made it) that I use to trim 12 and 16 gauge shells for my older shotguns. In some cases reaming out the chambers is not acceptable or cost efficient.

[Squid Boy]

Good to know. I trim mine in a lathe with an X-Acto knife in the tool holder. Very accurate. I say leave the old girl as a 2-1/2" and enjoy loading for it. Squid Boy

[T-Bird]

I hunt with 2 1/2 in shells in 16 ga, no prob getting 1oz shot in them. Maybe get more than that in a 12ga. That's enough for most needs. I don't think 2 1/2 in shells are a handy cap at all. I guess if you need to shoot large shot, 1 oz might be a little "thin".