Paper shells availability?

[gwa]

Does anyone know if paper shells are available or not?

I have my grandfathers Winchester model 12 that I would like to take on a vintage hunt this fall however it is chambered 2 9/16", plastic shells hang up.

Thanks!

Denny

[BandedSpur]

Just going to paper hulls won't solve your problem. It is a very bad idea to shoot 2.75" hulled ammo of any kind in a gun with a 2&9/16" chamber. Pressures are raised substantially when the crimp unfolds into the forcing cone. Both RST and Gamebore make 2 and 2.5" ammo that would work beautifully in that gun. Both can be had from Ballistic Products Inc.

[gwa]

Thanks for the info. I didn't know 2.5" even existed. When I saw them hanging up and realized the problem, it was cleaned up, oiled up and put in the gun cabinet.

On another note, I also have an old Sears bolt action 16 gage that belonged to my other grandpa that is chambered 2.75". That may be another option.

Denny

[gobblergls]

Polywad in Roberta, GA, sells a line of vintager shells in 2.5".  I have used both Polywad and RST in my short chambered guns and both are excellent.  The bigger problem with your gun is the ejection port is too short to throw-out the spent 2 3/4 " hull.   Some owners modify the ejection port, but there is no need to do so if you buy or load shorts.

[gwa]

Thanks for the info, they have a 4 box min order.

[3" 870 Shell Shucker]

Order several boxes of the shorts and put that Model 12 into service.

[ILIKEHEVI-13]

Word to the wise about loading paper hulls-I would make certain they are brand new and not shot hulls.  I almost blew a barrel up in my younger days reloading already shot paper hulls.  I didn't know any better and neither did my dad.  But paper hulls that have been fired once will expand vs unfired ones.  When you reload paper hulls that have been already shot the wad won't have a tight seal around the hull like plastic hulls will provide and let powder work its way up the wad and into the shot.  I fired one of these reloaded shells at about the age of 16 and had shot just go out the barrel as less than a slow bb gun speed.  I didn't think anything of it and fired another shell.  Little did I know that the wad from the shell before was still in the barrel.  I later found out by noticing the bulge in my barrel what had happen by asking questions.  Lucky for me nobody got hurt. 

So be careful.