Rechamber 23/4" to 3"?

[MM]

Looking for a new (old) turkey gun and was thinking of buying a older O/U shotgun something like a Merkel or Griefelt. All of the 12 ga. guns that I have found are chambered 2 3/4" and I was wondering if it is safe to lengthen the chambers to 3" and shoot turkey loads out of these guns?

[Gun Barrel Ecologist]

As I don't have faith in the average shotgun gunsmith my suggestion would be to contact the maker, if still in production.

You could be dealing with 1 of 2 scenarios; 1 a gun made before the widespread availability of 3 inch shells, or 2, the maker stuck with 2 & 3/4 because they don't warrant that their action can handle the pressures.
I was eying off a very nice Kreighoff Dural drilling until I received an email back from Kreighoff informing me that that model had 70mm chambers for a reason

[Oscar]

Test 1

[Oscar]

Test 1

Ok, back in action now after my iPad troubles.

The question I would ask is do you really need the 3 in shells? My shotgun is chambered to handle them but in reality apart from that ultra beast 3 in F rounds that I use about 4 shots per year with, I am yet to be convinced for any bird weighting Less than 25lbs and at no more than 50 yard why 36 gram loads with appropriate chokeswill not drop them?

[mchughcb]

I agree. And that extends to foxes and bigger.

[KO301]

I have a Citori with 28 inch barrel and 3.5 inch chamber if you are interested XD

[MM]

If I am lucky 4- 3" shells will be shot through it per year, but the question remains can it be safely done? If it cannot there is no debate.

[KO301]

If I am lucky 4- 3" shells will be shot through it per year, but the question remains can it be safely done? If it cannot there is no debate.

Contact Briley. They are the best at working shotgun barrel as far as I know.

(http://brileygunsmithing.com/shotgun_gu ... icing.html)

Lengthen chambers to 3” (subject to inspection) 95 USD

I assume they will only do it if it's safe so give them or call or send your barrel in?

[mchughcb]

Can they lengthen to 3.5" just asking the question?

[SPEEDY]

Test 1

Ok, back in action now after my iPad troubles.

The question I would ask is do you really need the 3 in shells? My shotgun is chambered to handle them but in reality apart from that ultra beast 3 in F rounds that I use about 4 shots per year with, I am yet to be convinced for any bird weighting Less than 25lbs and at no more than 50 yard why 36 gram loads with appropriate chokeswill not drop them?

Rio mini mag's 42gm 2 3/4" shells or the equally good Winchester double X magnums, either one of them will through a great pattern out very far with a tight choke.
If Federal ever bring out a 42gm Flitecontrol was then that will be the real game changer.

[KO301]

Can they lengthen to 3.5" just asking the question?

Why would you do that? I mean I bet health insurance works better in Australia but why would you put yourself through the pain? =p

I just got a used (Almost new)F3 barrel for 1700 USD and I will be sending it to Briley so that they can cut it down to maybe 25~26 inch and install Briley thin wall choke. I will ask them if they can lengthen the chamber to 3.5. I intend to use my F3 for duck hunting and hog hunting with slugs so I wanted a shorter barrel but I can't find a 28 inch anywhere. The new ones would be around 3k USD so I thought might as well go all out and cut a 30 to 26.

[mchughcb]

Looking forward to see how it goes. The second hand F3 I see over here are 32" or even 34" iirc.

[KO301]

Can they lengthen to 3.5" just asking the question?

I just called them but they said they can only do 3 inch chamber.

[mchughcb]

Thanks

[SPEEDY]

Can they lengthen to 3.5" just asking the question?

I just called them but they said they can only do 3 inch chamber.

Take that as a blessing, finding 3.5" shells in Australia other then 10ga would almost be as much pain as shooting them.
Even when my shoulder was good 3" was enough boot, if I wanted more then that, well I would just buy a 10ga.