Winchester model 12--short chamber?

Ambrose

February 25, 2012 11:27

I picked up a 16 ga. model 12 beater at a gun show today. Serial #410518 (1924-25). It's not marked 2 3/4 so could it be 2 9/16? When did they change to 2 3/4?

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  toad67

  February 25, 2012 11:51

  I think it was around 1929-30

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  Bert H.

  February 25, 2012 21:33

  Winchester changed both the 20-Ga and 16-ga to the 2-3/4" chamber in 1927. Serial number 410518 was manufactured in October of 1924, and as such, it is chambered for a 2-9/16" shell.

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  Ambrose

  February 26, 2012 06:18

  Thanks Bert. Now anybody know where I can find shells for this old clunker? It's been fitted with a Poly Choke and drilled and tapped for a Nydar optical sight. Both of these devices are relatively recent (compared to 1924) and costly so the gun must have been used well past the 2 9/16" chamber era. I wonder what they shot in it. When I started hunting in the early 50's, the 16 ga. was a common field gun but I never paid any attention to the shells those guys used. Would the paper shells have been shorter I wonder.

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  asphalt cowboy

  February 26, 2012 06:28

  quote:Originally posted by Ambrose
  Thanks Bert. Now anybody know where I can find shells for this old clunker?
  
  
  Ballistic Products carries Gamebore.
  http://www.ballisticproducts.com/16ga-Lead/products/418/
  
  You can also order it from Polywad.
  http://www.polywad.com/vintager.html
  
  http://www.polywad.com/doublewide.html

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  Ambrose

  February 26, 2012 06:38

  Wow, thanks, Cowboy, that was fast! I'll order 10 boxes. Thanks again.

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  toad67

  February 26, 2012 07:24

  Make sure you keep the empty cases. I believe that you can set up a reloader for them shortys.
  
  Todd

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  asphalt cowboy

  February 26, 2012 08:15

  You're welcome Ambrose.
  
  
  quote:Originally posted by toad67
  Make sure you keep the empty cases. I believe that you can set up a reloader for them shortys.
  
  Todd
  
  
  Todd is correct. In fact I have one of my MEC loaders dedicated to my 2 1/2" 16's using the "short shell" plate.
  Should you decide to load for your gun Ballistic Products has a load manual just for the 16 that has 2 1/2" recipes in it.

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  Emmett Dunham

  February 26, 2012 13:59

  If its a beater why not ream it out for modorn shells.

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  Bert H.

  February 26, 2012 16:22

  quote:Originally posted by Emmett Dunham
  If its a beater why not ream it out for modorn shells.
  
  
  Because you have to also open up the ejection port in addition to lengthening the chamber.

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  Ambrose

  February 28, 2012 06:14

  Bert's right--I slid a fired 2 3/4" into the chamber. You can feel resistence just before it seats as it starts to crimp. I closed the action and racked it. The shell hangs up on the foreward edge of the ejection port.

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