Short 12 Gauge Shells

jimbobborg · Mar 10, 2014

I know Aguila sells 1.5" shells, which I will be picking up, but does anyone make the 2.5" shells anymore? Or 2 5/8" shells? It seems the Winchester 1887 shotguns were designed for the shorter than 2.75" shells and I'd like to try some out. I figure someone here in the collective would know.

circleshooter · Mar 10, 2014

jimbobborg said:
I know Aguila sells 1.5" shells, which I will be picking up, but does anyone make the 2.5" shells anymore? Or 2 5/8" shells? It seems the Winchester 1887 shotguns were designed for the shorter than 2.75" shells and I'd like to try some out. I figure someone here in the collective would know.

Here's a few places to try:

http://www.ballisticproducts.com/-2-1_2-2-1_4-Ammunition-/products/188/

http://www.polywad.com/vintager.html

http://www.rstshells.com/store/m/2-12-Gauge.aspx

Crab Bait · Mar 10, 2014

I did a lot of reading on this because I wanted to shoot my LC Smith 16 gauge for trap. Apparently it is chambered for 2 5/8" and I had already purchased 2 3/4" shells.

While reports vary, what I ultimately believed was that shooting 2 3/4" shells doesn't significantly increase the pressure... there were several websites where I read that. So far, through about 14 rounds of trap, I haven't had any problems. There certainly isn't any recoil to speak of - lighter than most 20s I've shot.

As always... YMMV.

lsw · Mar 11, 2014

Nobel Sport makes 2 1/4 inch 12 gauge shells. I believe I got mine from Sportsman's Guide. Not sure they have them in trap loads, though.

Biggfoot44 · Mar 11, 2014

Check the above links. 12ga 2.5 and even 2.0 shells are mfg/ imported in decent numbers. The primary market is shooters/ collectors of vintage SxS guns of English and European make, frequent quite valuable.
Publications that caiter to Double Gun afficianados , and high end wingshooters will be full of ads for these.

jimbobborg · Mar 11, 2014

Thanks, all, I figured I'd get a good answer here. BTW, my 1887 is a lever gun, not a break action. Currently, I'm using Winchester AA shells since when they open up they aren't as long as the other brands of shells I've used.

Slimjim · Mar 19, 2014

Have those smokeless rounds been proven not to hurt the black powder rated 1887?

jimbobborg · Mar 20, 2014

Slimjim said:
Have those smokeless rounds been proven not to hurt the black powder rated 1887?

I don't know. My 87 is from IAC and is a reproduction, so it's fine with smokeless rounds.

E.Shell · Mar 20, 2014

I bought a bunch of those short Aguila rounds Jim and they won't function through many feed systems. I'd just buy a few to try out first.

jimbobborg · Mar 20, 2014

E.Shell said:
I bought a bunch of those short Aguila rounds Jim and they won't function through many feed systems. I'd just buy a few to try out first.

Yup, that's the plan. I wish I could order a grab bag of the shorter ones to see how well they feed in the 87.

jimbobborg · Jun 11, 2014

jimbobborg said:
Yup, that's the plan. I wish I could order a grab bag of the shorter ones to see how well they feed in the 87.

Just in case anyone was wondering, the Aguila shells won't feed out of the tube properly in my 87. When I work the action, two shells pop out of the tube :sad20:

Depending on the email I get today, I may be getting a few boxes of the 2.5" shells next week.

Cochise · Jun 11, 2014

RST makes great shells, paper or plastic.

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