2.5” 12ga Your opinions and experiences?

[SPEEDY]

I dropped my pop’s old 12ga and my pump .22 off at the shop today to get some work done to them, and some nice old guns on the shelf caught my eye.

I mentioned that I was looking for a nice old gun for shooting Rabbits and foxes; he said I wouldn’t be interested in them as they were all chambered 2.5”.

I have never seen a 2.5” shell before as there not exactly an off the shelf item down here, if I was to get one I would have to reload not that that’s a problem or anything, I’m just wondering how well the 2.5” shells perform.

I still want to keep my eye out for a 12ga paradox gun but a couple of those short chambered 12ga’s showed great craftsmanship and had superb balance and handling, I might be able to twist my arm for something that nice but I would still love a Paradox gun. (Maybe I should get both )

[MC]

In my humble opinion you won't notice the difference between a 21/2" and a 23/4" cartridge. The Express pigeon special cartridges I use are 21/2" as are Eley grand prix and most other game cartridges. Most are available (in the UK anyway) up to 30g.

 

If you like what you see then go for it.

 

Cheers

 

Martin

[arjimlad]

I'd agree. Most common game shells are 2.5" anyway (obviously check !)

 

It's the 2-inchers that have a very restricted cartridge choice.

 

Heavier cartridges for fox and non toxics for wildfowling might well be 2.75" though.

 

You'll certainly be able to get a lovely quality english sbs in this chambering which will balance well and last ages with TLC.

[SPEEDY]

The only shells that you can buy down here are 2&3/4” with the 2.5” and 3” being very hard and expensive to get. However I do like the idea of loading 2.5” brass shells in an old guns like them and as I never use more then a handful of shells when I hunt anyway it’s not going to cause a problem.

They also had 2 very nice 20ga guns that might be nice to get also.

But the 12ga’s that I’m looking at are chambered 2.5” so I wont be able to use 2&3/4” ones in them and re-chambering is both unpractical and immoral IMO.

[flytie]

The only shells that you can buy down here are 2&3/4” with the 2.5” and 3” being very hard and expensive to get. However I do like the idea of loading 2.5” brass shells in an old guns like them and as I never use more then a handful of shells when I hunt anyway it’s not going to cause a problem.

They also had 2 very nice 20ga guns that might be nice to get also.

But the 12ga’s that I’m looking at are chambered 2.5” so I wont be able to use 2&3/4” ones in them and re-chambering is both unpractical and immoral IMO.

Speedy, have you tried asking a main cartridge importer if they supply them not just your local outlet? I started off shooting with a 2 1/2" chambered shotgun and the biggest load that I know of is the 1 and 3/16 of an ounce maximums that eley make. I would think that's about the limit for the pellet load in that size case. If you are into reloading then getting the hulls/cases should not be too much of a problem either. Obviously i do not know what your import restrictions are, but if you are just buying the cases from abroad and fitting the primers, wad and shot at home I cannot see that your customs people should have anything to complain about.

The americans are buying lots of old english boxlocks at the sales now and they like their reloading.

 

I will try and find a link that has what you want, the cabela's one I just put up didn't!

 

Best of luck and let us know how you get on.

 

Ft

[Hodmedod.one]

I mentioned that I was looking for a nice old gun for shooting Rabbits and foxes; he said I wouldn’t be interested in them as they were all chambered 2.5”.

 

 

Hi Speedy,

 

I have an old Damascus Barrelled SBS hammer gun with 2.5" chambers. I only put light loads through it and it is fine for Birds and Rabbits.

 

I wouldn't want to knock the stuffing out of it by using the heavier loads required for Foxes.

 

Buy one of the Guns you have seen just for small game shooting. They are a pleasure to own and use.