Winchester model 12--short chamber?

Ambrose

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?

toad67

I think it was around 1929-30

Bert H.

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.

Ambrose

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.

asphalt cowboy

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

Ambrose

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

toad67

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

Todd

asphalt cowboy

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.

Emmett Dunham

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

Bert H.

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.

Ambrose

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.