I just bought another win. model 97 in 16 G.I need a source of 2 1/2" shells.Thanks in advance.

www.rstshells.com/

I use them in my combination gun.
They work well.

Just ordered awhile back from RST. Pleasure to do business with.

Are you sure its a 2 1/2? As I recall, the old winchester 16's were often 2 5/8.

I believe the European standard for the 16 ga. was 65mm until the 2-3/4 inch pie crimp case came along.
C.G.B.

I'm not sure. I was told that the length was 2.5 but when I first got it I fired a 2 3/4 shell + it functioned just fine.No point in buying specialty shells when standard will work.Any input always welcome.

Use the proper length or have a competent gunsmith lengthen the chamber. It is a bottleneck of pressure shooting a 2 3/4 in a 2 1/2. It can be done but it is unwise. Buy some 2 1/2 from RST and be safe. (just my 2 cents)

quote:

Originally posted by basser:
Use the proper length or have a competent gunsmith lengthen the chamber. It is a bottleneck of pressure shooting a 2 3/4 in a 2 1/2. It can be done but it is unwise. Buy some 2 1/2 from RST and be safe. (just my 2 cents)

Actually, the 'bottle neck' theory has been disproven by several studies. The problem is, in fact, that USA SAAMI standards allow higher pressures than most Brit and many other shotgun manufacturers design and proof for. The difference in cartridge hull length between and RST 2-1/2 cartridge and a Winchester AA is about 1/16". This will not intrude on the forcing cones enough to cause pressure spikes or other problems.

I regularly load lower pressure 2-3/4" hulls and use them in my 2-1/2" chambered double guns.

Good to know Alex. Side note on RST shells is-nothing like the smell of burnt paper.

quote:

Originally posted by tomahawker:
Good to know Alex. Side note on RST shells is-nothing like the smell of burnt paper.

Yes indeed. I love my paper hulled 16 gauge hulls... they feel right and smell right after popping them out of the chambers.

So true. The smell of those + just fired 22s remind me of my childhood.