I recently acquired a 12 Ga. Husky rolling block shotgun with a 35" barrel, fixed rear notch sight and single blade front sight. All appears to original to the gun. The question I have is that the chamber is 2.5" to the forcing cone. Were these shotguns made for BP 2.5" slug cartridges? The bore is as perfect as a new gun and the choke is Cylinder Bore. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Hi CBB -
I'm not an expert by any means, but until the late '20s there were many more 'standard' length shells than we have today. 2 1/2" was a common length, and I believe still is in Europe.
I have a Walther 12 ga. semi-auto w/ 2.5" chamber.
If yours is a smoothbore, then it's for shotshells.
I think Brit/Euro 2.5" shells are available from importers, but pricey.
Am. Rifleman had a coupla articles a few years back on making/loading 'em.
If you're a tinkerer & want to shoot it, let me know & I'll scan/email 'em to you.

regards,

You can get 2.5" BP shotshells by Gamebore from www.ballisticproducts.com

Rigby is correct, they are not inexpensive, but they are available.

I recently acquired a 12 Ga. Husky rolling block shotgun with a 35" barrel, fixed rear notch sight and single blade front sight. All appears to original to the gun. The question I have is that the chamber is 2.5" to the forcing cone. Were these shotguns made for BP 2.5" slug cartridges? The bore is as perfect as a new gun and the choke is Cylinder Bore. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Find a lot of information about Husky Shotguns on this link:

http://hem.bredband.net/b102212/shotguns.html


Then, check out these little Mini-Shells from Aguila Ammo...

http://www.aguilaammo.com/minishells.htm

http://www.aguilaammo.com/aguila.htm

.........."This new type of 1-3/4" 12 ga shotshell (1-1/2" OAL loaded) was developed as part of the innovation drive carried out by Industrias Tecnos SA de CV from Cuernavaca, Mexico, manufacturer of "AGUILA" ammunition. The original idea was to create a new shotshell with law enforcement and military applications in mind. The new cartridge would generate a milder recoil (less shoulder punishment and faster reacquisition of the target after the first shot is fired), would provide more firepower (being able to load 12-14 rounds in a 20" bbl shotgun) and would be ergonomically friendlier (being able to grab a big lot of shells with one hand and comfortably place them in the pocket). Due to its smaller size one police officer/soldier would be able to carry about 40% more rounds than regular shotshells. All this, while providing the necessary power for Police/Military work............"



GOOD LUCK! ;)

Are you sure it's a 12 gauge? I have one in 16ga. and the chamberwalls are awefully thin by then and removing further metal there is a risky buisness.
As said, until the mid 20's the standard length for shells were 2½" or 65mm. I use brass shells from MagTech and they cost me something like $1.25 a piece in Denmark.

If Federal is still making paper shells just cut them down and load them with Black Powder ! They should fire a slug or a round ball if it is good condition ! But check this gauge size ! You could cut down plastic cases also ! JAGG