Factory shell dimensions?

ZVP · February 18, 2013, 10:40 PM

I just Mice'd some Remington 20 Ga #4's and some Estate 20 ga 7 1/2's and got the answer why the Estates just flll into the chambers of my Stoger and the remingtpns need to be pushed in!
The bases of both brands measured .790 but the crimp on the Remingtons was a solid .010 larger thus creating the need for a solid push to chamber them.
Is this discrepency in the crimp dimensions common?
To be honest, the chambers had at least 1 box of shells thru them since I bought the gun and who knows how many with the previous owner?
So I cleaned the chambers with a brass brush and then brushed them clean with a nylon brush but the chambering difficultys still were present though a little less.

I used to own a Savage SxS 12 ga that never had chambering problems and [I] am wondering if this problem is present mainly in the 20Ga SxS's
The powerfull action of a pump would easilly chamber a "tight" shell through mechanical force and I would guess the same for a 20ga autoloader?

I am also guessing that when under fire a slightly tight fitting shell wouldn't be noticed...
I
'll poliah her up real well and live with it,
ZVP
Thanks,
ZVP

BigJimP · February 19, 2013, 08:02 PM

Yes, it is common to see some differences in different brands of shotshells...especially the cheap shells like Estate, etc.. ( Estates are the cheap version of Federal shotshells )......and you will even see some differnences in the different brands of Remington shotshells ..between their econo line of shells - Gun Club..vs STS or STS Nitro shells...

Remember - shotshells are measured in terms of length after they are fired...so please don't make the mistake of shoving a 3" unfired shell into a gun that only has a 2 3/4" chamber ..( and while it will fit - unfired ) ...its it not safe to shoot a 3" shell in a 2 3/4" chamber...( and before you laugh - I see guys say it often, when they're talking about chambers in older guns that aren't marked...."oh, just drop a shell in, and see if it fits ??? "... No, No, No...

Its possible the chambers on your gun are a little tighter than optimum...but

.45 COLT · February 19, 2013, 11:52 PM

What did the crimps mic at? Standard for 20 Gauge is 0.684", +0, -0.020.

I don't see any dimension on a 20 Gauge that matches the 0.790" you mention.

DC

ZVP · February 20, 2013, 01:42 AM

DC
I measured at the edge of the crimp right on the rim. I'M TH[I]NK[I]NG THAT 3
#1 I have tight chambers, #2 My Remington shells are crimped oversize, #3 that when I get the chambers sparkling clean, polish with steel wool and fire these shells, that they'll come out like normal.
My Stoger has 3" chambers though I doubt I'll ever fire one. I bought the gun for low recoil due to a bad sholder.
Last, the gun closes like normal with these shells though they extract fully, you still have to grab the rims with an old shell to extract them fully. Note: these are losded shells, unloades should come out normally I hope!
HE-He maybe this is a true "Uplander" chmbered for low bse #7 1/2's (LOL)!
BPDave
PS
Never had any problems like this with a 12ga SxS...

BigJimP · February 20, 2013, 12:53 PM

It sounds to me like you have a sizing problem on your reloads....check the sizer on your press ....make sure its operating properly ....and check them with a go - no go gague...( you can get the gague from MEC and other places )..

ZVP · February 20, 2013, 05:13 PM

I ran a brass chamber brush around in the Break-free (2 days soaking) chambwes and then wiped the Krud out. I re aoolied Break-free to 0000 ateel Wool and ran the chambers through with a tight fitting wad of wool and a drill motor. Not stopping, constantlly moving, the 0000 wool.
I then wiped the whole mess dry and cleaned the barrels.
Now putting a 29ga 7/12/ 3/4 oz shell in, it just drops in.
Thw 2 3/4" #4 Phesant Load by Remington, now easilly enters till the brass contacts the mouth and then you need a slight finger pressure to botton=m it!
Thanks for the tips guys, they really worked!
ZVP

February 20, 2013, 05:13 PM	#6
ZVP Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2009 Posts: 1,102	Just finished up! I ran a brass chamber brush around in the Break-free (2 days soaking) chambwes and then wiped the Krud out. I re aoolied Break-free to 0000 ateel Wool and ran the chambers through with a tight fitting wad of wool and a drill motor. Not stopping, constantlly moving, the 0000 wool. I then wiped the whole mess dry and cleaned the barrels. Now putting a 29ga 7/12/ 3/4 oz shell in, it just drops in. Thw 2 3/4" #4 Phesant Load by Remington, now easilly enters till the brass contacts the mouth and then you need a slight finger pressure to botton=m it! Thanks for the tips guys, they really worked! ZVP

February 18, 2013, 10:40 PM	#1
ZVP Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2009 Posts: 1,102	Factory shell dimensions? I just Mice'd some Remington 20 Ga #4's and some Estate 20 ga 7 1/2's and got the answer why the Estates just flll into the chambers of my Stoger and the remingtpns need to be pushed in! The bases of both brands measured .790 but the crimp on the Remingtons was a solid .010 larger thus creating the need for a solid push to chamber them. Is this discrepency in the crimp dimensions common? To be honest, the chambers had at least 1 box of shells thru them since I bought the gun and who knows how many with the previous owner? So I cleaned the chambers with a brass brush and then brushed them clean with a nylon brush but the chambering difficultys still were present though a little less. I used to own a Savage SxS 12 ga that never had chambering problems and [I] am wondering if this problem is present mainly in the 20Ga SxS's The powerfull action of a pump would easilly chamber a "tight" shell through mechanical force and I would guess the same for a 20ga autoloader? I am also guessing that when under fire a slightly tight fitting shell wouldn't be noticed... I 'll poliah her up real well and live with it, ZVP Thanks, ZVP Last edited by ZVP; February 19, 2013 at 04:02 PM.

February 19, 2013, 08:02 PM	#2
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Yes, it is common to see some differences in different brands of shotshells...especially the cheap shells like Estate, etc.. ( Estates are the cheap version of Federal shotshells )......and you will even see some differnences in the different brands of Remington shotshells ..between their econo line of shells - Gun Club..vs STS or STS Nitro shells... Remember - shotshells are measured in terms of length after they are fired...so please don't make the mistake of shoving a 3" unfired shell into a gun that only has a 2 3/4" chamber ..( and while it will fit - unfired ) ...its it not safe to shoot a 3" shell in a 2 3/4" chamber...( and before you laugh - I see guys say it often, when they're talking about chambers in older guns that aren't marked...."oh, just drop a shell in, and see if it fits ??? "... No, No, No... Its possible the chambers on your gun are a little tighter than optimum...but

February 19, 2013, 11:52 PM	#3
.45 COLT Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2004 Posts: 308	What did the crimps mic at? Standard for 20 Gauge is 0.684", +0, -0.020. I don't see any dimension on a 20 Gauge that matches the 0.790" you mention. DC

February 20, 2013, 01:42 AM	#4
ZVP Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2009 Posts: 1,102	DC I measured at the edge of the crimp right on the rim. I'M TH[I]NK[I]NG THAT 3 #1 I have tight chambers, #2 My Remington shells are crimped oversize, #3 that when I get the chambers sparkling clean, polish with steel wool and fire these shells, that they'll come out like normal. My Stoger has 3" chambers though I doubt I'll ever fire one. I bought the gun for low recoil due to a bad sholder. Last, the gun closes like normal with these shells though they extract fully, you still have to grab the rims with an old shell to extract them fully. Note: these are losded shells, unloades should come out normally I hope! HE-He maybe this is a true "Uplander" chmbered for low bse #7 1/2's (LOL)! BPDave PS Never had any problems like this with a 12ga SxS...

February 20, 2013, 12:53 PM	#5
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	It sounds to me like you have a sizing problem on your reloads....check the sizer on your press ....make sure its operating properly ....and check them with a go - no go gague...( you can get the gague from MEC and other places )..