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September 28, 2025
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Hi, I just picked up a nice original second year of production winchester model 1887 today and it’s in pretty nice shape
I’m looking to shoot it and I was told to shoot either low brass shells or birdshot
I know that some people also shoot reduced smokeless loads
Does anyone here have any know on shooting these old winchester shotguns?
I bought some winchester AA super sport sporting clays 12 gauge ammo today, the ammo is 2 3/4in which it chembers, it has a velocity of 1,300fps and it has 1 1/8 ounces of 8 shot. Would this ammo be safe in this gun?
Thanks
April 15, 2005
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Do NOT shoot 2-3/4″ shells in your Model 1887!!! The Model 1887 was chambered for a maximum 2-5/8″ length black powder loaded shell. Shooting modern 2-3/4″ shells in that old gun can cause catastrophic failure. A 2-3’4″ shell is not full length until opens up on firing.
Smokeless powder shells can be shot in a Model 1887, but they must be loaded to low-pressure (<9K).
RST manufactures 2-1/2″ 12-gauge shells that are safe to shoot in a Model 1887 that is in good mechanical condition.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 7, 2015
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2 3/4″ shells may fit BUT when fired the end of the shell opens into the forcing cone and results in a constriction which combined with the modern powder charge raises the pressure to unsafe levels. Please don’t try it. I think 2 5/8 shells are available if you’re willing to look.
Mike
April 30, 2023
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RST lists them, but they’ve been OOS for a loooooooong time now. I wish they’d run some, I’ve been waiting a while….I wish I knew a reloader 
September 19, 2014
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Jeremy et al, Check out Buffalo Arms. They have in stock 2 and 1/2 inch 12 ga, in black powder and 7 and 1/2 shot. Price is steep at $56 for a box, but it is in stock. Other than that, I would contact Ballistics Products and buy hulls, wads and a drill driven roll crimper. Hand operated it works but can look ugly. In a drill press it looks way nicer. Either one will feed if you ensure the ends are tapered. Were you living in my area, I could have you over and guide you to loading your own, but loading for another is fraught with liabilities. Tim
March 31, 2009
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I know this is about a 12 ga. but I’d double check the chamber on yours. Years ago I bought an 1887 shotgun in 10 ga. I was told to use 2-7/8″ brass. When the new unprimed brass arrived they would not fit. I returned them for 2 5/8″ which worked. Maybe some were 2 7/8″ but not mine.
Do as the others have stated, don’t use the longer shells.
Tim, I’ll have to see if they have some of the shorter 20 ga. I might need some for the 1885.
April 15, 2005
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Chuck said
I know this is about a 12 ga. but I’d double check the chamber on yours. Years ago I bought an 1887 shotgun in 10 ga. I was told to use 2-7/8″ brass. When the new unprimed brass arrived they would not fit. I returned them for 2 5/8″ which worked. Maybe some were 2 7/8″ but not mine.
Do as the others have stated, don’t use the longer shells.
Tim, I’ll have to see if they have some of the shorter 20 ga. I might need some for the 1885.
Chuck,
Your Single Shot (M1885) 20-ga high-wall shotgun has a factory 3″ chamber… short shells are not needed.
Per the 1914 and 1916 Winchester catalogs…
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 19, 2006
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I suppose they would be too high pressure, but what about these mini or shot 12 ga. shotshells that are out there. Two inches long?
April 30, 2023
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I just realized the OP was talking 12 gauge but in my mind I was stuck on my own 10 gaugers….anyways, buffalo arms does seem to have them in stock….here’s the ten gauge version: https://www.buffaloarms.com/10-gauge-2-5-8-3-3-4-drams-of-amobp10ga2.html
March 31, 2009
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Bert H. said
Chuck said
I know this is about a 12 ga. but I’d double check the chamber on yours. Years ago I bought an 1887 shotgun in 10 ga. I was told to use 2-7/8″ brass. When the new unprimed brass arrived they would not fit. I returned them for 2 5/8″ which worked. Maybe some were 2 7/8″ but not mine.
Do as the others have stated, don’t use the longer shells.
Tim, I’ll have to see if they have some of the shorter 20 ga. I might need some for the 1885.
Chuck,
Your Single Shot (M1885) 20-ga high-wall shotgun has a factory 3″ chamber… short shells are not needed.
Per the 1914 and 1916 Winchester catalogs…Bert
I’m sure you have told me this before but if I don’t scratch it into the back of my hand, I will forget. I updated my file to show 3″ shells. I do have several cases of 20 ga. Probably 1 of target and 1 for hunting. Maybe I’ll take a 3rd gun to the range tomorrow. Thanks.
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