2 7/8" 12 ga question

[J. Armstrong]

Just had someone give me a case of 12ga, 2 7/8" 00 buck shotshells - haven't picked it up yet but I think it is S&B.
I remember hearing that these are not safe to use in 2 3/4' chambers as the crimp may not open fully or correctly and cause commensurate high pressures. This makes sense to me, but I thought I'd throw it out for the general consensus. If true, this means I have to find a 3" chamber pump - aw, shucks ;) :D

[xdshooter]

Over at S&B's website the only sizes listed is 2 3/4 and 3. Is it older production? Question becomes how old. Maybe the seller (giver) meant 2 3/4 but said 2 7/8?

If I had to do it again with a new 12, I'd look at the 3 1/2 chamber pumps. Why not have the ability to shoot the newer magnums too?

Look at it this way, you've been given an opportunity to buy a new weapon!!

[J. Armstrong]

It is older production. I've seen it and shot it a few years back. Definitely 2 7/8 - or whatever metric equivalent as I'm under the impression that it is still a somewhat popular round in europe. It has 12 00 shot per round, lightish recoil ( won't cycle a Beretta 1200 inertia action ).
I'd rather not get another shotty - Benelli M1S90 is primary, with a S&W 3000 and a lovely ol' High Standard as secondaries. I appreciate the new 12 ga loads but really am not interested in them - 2 3/4' does all that I am likely to need. nonetheless, I'd like to be able to shoot this up, but I won't take any chance if there uis a safety issue as I believe there may well be.

[xdshooter]

Well, maybe you could find someone to trade you for 9 pellet 2 3/4 straight up? I wouldn't risk bulging the chamber just because it was free.

A side note, sportsmans guide has Estate 2 3/4 00 buck for $3.27 per 5. Anyone know of a better price? I know I don't.

[doubletap]

Sure you don't mean 65mm which equates to about 2 1/2"? The standard on the continent is typically 2 1/2",same as in England. The 2 7/8" is normally a 10 bore round, the standard before the creation of the 3 1/2" 10 by Ithaca. 2 7/8" 12 bore would be most unusual and quite interesting to cartridge collectors, but I suppose it's possible. Heck I have a 3" chambered 16 bore from Italy where the proof is usually very conservative.

[richbug]

I had some of the 12 pellet S&B buck a few years back. Its loaded length was longer than regular 2 3/4" shells, but its fired length was the same.

It used a roll crimp with an over shot wad, rather than a folded crimp.

Fired length is what matters, assuming it feeds properly.

[J. Armstrong]

Well, that's good news ! Thanks for the info - appreciated :beer: