doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com 3 inch chambers in 16 gauge

I had asked a question earlier about manufactures who produced a 3 inch chambered 16 gauge. I want to thank you all for the answers. I just have one question, as there does not seem to be very many of these double barrels produced by the main manufacturers, why would an ammunition company make 3 inch 16 gauge shells when the shotguns were so rare? Thanks again.

Here's what McIntosh says about the 16ga Super Fox (p. 216 in his Fox book):

"In "Modern Shotguns and Loads", published in 1929, Captain Askins reports that Fox attempted to create a 16 gauge Super as well but failed. "The reason," he says, "was always a mystery to me, and I was there trying out chamber, bore, choke and cone changes until I got tired, never being able to produce an average pattern of 80% with factory cartridges."

A couple of examples. In 1916, both Winchester and Rem-UMC charged $5 per thousand extra for any of the longer length 2 3/4-, 2 7/8- or 3-inch 16-gauge shells over the "standard" 2 9/16-inch shells which listed at $47 to $49.50 per thousand. A decade later in the progressive burning smokeless powder, high velocity era Peters High Velocity 2 9/16-inch shells listed at $53.50 per thousand and the longer 2 3/4-, 2 7/8- and 3-inch shells listed at $63.50 per thousand.

The guns (including rifles and pistols) often follow the ammo in availability. No one would buy the gun if no ammo were available. What is unusual here is the new chamber length didn't "take off" like the 44 Mag. did.
Mike

When the first 3 1/2” magnum 12 gauge loads arrived, my Dad was leary of buying a gun, thinking the new round would be a flash in the pan. He bought a Mossberg 3 1/2” pump, that he simply despised, and tried his hand with the new loads for 2-3 seasons, until he was satisfied the ammunition would be available.

He never remembered to pump the gun, not a huge deal, as the limit on Canada’s was one per day. He stepped up to a Benelli SBE for goose hunting, and got rid of the pump to my brother, who got rid of it to someone else.

I remember him saying he didn’t want to be stuck with a 16 gauge type situation, looking for ammunition all over town. Dad only owned 12 gauge guns.

Wonder what he would think, today?

Best,
Ted

The Mossberg, synthetic stocked, pumps in 3 1/2" magnum (12 ga.) were the hardest recoiling guns I have ever shot in my life. I was encouraged to shoot one with 2 oz. turkey loads and I did .............. once. I wouldn't do that again if the gun and the ammo were free. I just don't hate myself that bad.

Stan,
Dad’s gun had a wood stock, and, while I never shot it, it had a look about it like a mean, old, woman. I had no desire, you could say.

Best,
Ted

Perhaps we should feel sorry for the cartridge makers whom Purdey persuaded to tool up to make .246 Purdey for their new double rifle.

I believe Purdey sold 4 of those rifles.

I saw one at Holt’s but Paul Roberts had converted it to .300 Winchester Magnum.

Mean is a good word to describe it, Ted. I've always "enjoyed" shooting heavy recoiling chamberings, once or twice, for effect. But, there was no fun in shooting that thing.

I used to compete with a .54 cal. roundball rifle, and at 100 yds used a stout charge of 85 grs. FFg. I once let my attention drift away, while loading it at the bench, to a conversation going on between others. Long story short is that, it became a comedy of errors as I became confused about how much powder I had put it, and turned it upside down in an effort to dislodge and dump all I had put in. I only saw a couple grains fall out so assumed It was empty and ........ dumped in another 85. Somehow, through my carelessness and inattention, I ended up with well over 200 grs. behind the ball. When I touched it off from the offhand position, it nearly jumped out of my hands, and the aperture sight on the wrist hit me over the eye and drew blood. But even that did not rock me like that Mossberg with the 2 oz. turkey load. How anybody can hate a turkey that bad is beyond me.

The old 835 Ultimag was a 3.5' chambered in 12 ga., but passing through a back bored 12 gauge barrel to .733". I shot one back in the early 90s and was glad to retire it and recently gave to a younger friend. The simple physics of a 2.25 oz. load shot out of an 8 lb. gun killed on both ends. Gil