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1887 Winchester

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mike webb

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May 24, 2014 - 1:26 pm

A friend of mine bought a 12 gauge Winchester lever a while ago in decent shape. He tried it out a few days back with low brass smokeless loads and complained of heavy recoil. When did they begin chambering these guns for 2 3/4 inch shells or were they always chambered for them. I was thinking the gun was too heavy to kick much with low brass loads and something else must be going on. Appreciate any help.

Bert H.

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May 24, 2014 - 10:13 pm

Mike,

The Model 1887 lever-action 12-gauge shotguns were all chambered for a 2-5/8" shell. If your friend was shooting anything longer than that, then that is what was causing the fierce recoil. Tell him not to shoot it anymore!

Bert

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mike webb

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May 25, 2014 - 8:16 am

Thanks, Bert
That is what I suspected. The shell opens upon firing and doesn’t have room in the chamber to open fully in the short chamber. My grandfather had an old 16 gauge that he claimed was brutal in the recoil department, turns out it had a 2 9/16 chamber.