Need a little info on value of a 28 gauge John Dickson sxs appears in excellent condition, boxlock ejector, double triggers,not round action . My real concern is 2 1/2 chambers proofed at 3 tons. Do you think the chambers could be lengthened without safety issues?

I dunno about value or lengthening the chambers, but it is really not a big problem to reload 2 1/2 inch 28 ga shells. I'm not sure if they are available commercially or not, considering the paucity of 2 3/4 inch offerings, I'd say probably not without searching.

I'd also check into that proof level, I claim ZERO expertise on British proofing but if 3 tons translates into some similar level of PSI then that would be a really low pressure for modern loads, especially since a shorter case would tend to have higher pressures. Perhaps it was proofed for black powder? I stress I don't know much about this, so this is just speculation on my part.

Thanks for your imput .I have another english double proofed for 3 1/4 ton 2 3/4 in 12 ga was built in 1970 i'm mainly interested if the wall thicknees would be there to lengrhen chambers and I realize that is an unfair question without the barrel thicknes being measured.

Mike:

Again, just speculating here, but a 2 1/2 inch 28 ga will produce higher pressures than a 2 3/4 inch 12 ga all things being equal, which they rarely are. For instance SAAMI specs are 11,500 PSI for all 12 ga except 3 1/2 inchers and 12,500 for all 28ga. I'm not in any way suggesting there is anything wrong with that Dickson, just another question I'd ask.

I know this is heresy, but John Barsness did an article a few years ago exploring the pressures involved in shooting shells longer than the chamber in shotguns. He found no safety issues in shooting 3" "magnum" shells in 2 3/4" chambers.

Now, DON'T YELL AT ME ABOUT THIS. I am not making the claim, only noting the Barsness article. But I will state that I regard Barsness as one of the more level-headed and credible of the current crop of gun writers. I believe the article was published in Handloader magazine. I'll see if I can find it in the index when I have a chance.

Thanks for your replies I have also read other articles I believe in shooting sportsman that indicated no danger in in shooting 2 3/4 in 2 1/2 other than recoil usually from square forcing cone rather than tapered because of the roll crimped shells with a card over shot. I sent an email to Dickson ( still very much in business and thought it would be ok to lengthen chambers if the barrels were still in proof. also estimated value between 2600 and 4000 pounds depending on condition.

It's your gun Mike, so you can do with it as you please, but I would encourage you NOT to lengthen the chambers. The only way to to that without impacting the resale value of the gun is to have it proved again.

2.5" 28 ga shells are available, and I doubt you'll be able to tell a significant difference between them and the 2.75" shells.

Do the next owner (and the next sale price) a favor and leave the gun in proof.

I agree with the other posted who said to leave the chambers alone. Three tons is a pretty hefty proof in my opinion, so I wouldn't fear shooting skive-mouthed plastic shells in it. However, it's your gun and your body parts.