Scored a 12ga Nitro Special - ammo?

[Trueno]

Took a break and walked around the funshow a lil bit, spotted an older black couple with a sxs. They were chatting with a dude about it, he didn't seem real interested and they mentioned a $ figure of $75. I waited patiently in second place but next thing ya know they all headed to the parking lot to look at other guns the couple had brought with em.

Bummer...kiss that one good bye...

1/2hr later I look up and the couple is again standing in the aisle...with the sxs. I walk over, the other dude had bought another gun from them instead and didn't have enough $ to take this one too. He's easily in his 70's (pushin' 80's) and hands the sxs to me while filling me in on it. Says it was his daddy's shotgun and was handed down to him, nowadays they kept it behind the kitchen door but were worried when the grandkids came to visit.

Right as I laid eyes on the brand he reminds me he only wants $75 for it, almost threw my wrist out gettin' the $ outa my pocket. Yeah, lots of wear and tear, if it could talk there's probably a few stories in it about runnin' off chicken thieves and the daughter's admirers. 


Date on the serial checks out at 1936, any suggestions on ammo to use for a lil plinkin'?

t

[Silver Creek Slim]

I have one just like it. I used it for CAS.

Slim

[Trueno]

any suggestions on ammo to use for a lil plinkin'?

[Silver Creek Slim]

The least expensive you can find. It should digest most hunting and trap loads.

Slim

[pony express]

I don't know much about these, but is it possible it might have 2 1/2 chambers? When did 2 3/4 become standard?

[Silver Creek Slim]

They have 2 3/4" chambers.

Slim

[ChurchandSon]

Nice gun...You will love it...
I have a LeFever Nitro Special 20 gauge double my Grandfather bought in 1943....
He run over his 12 with the tractor and bent the barrels...
All 12's and 16's were going to the war effort so all he could buy to replace the 12 was a 20..
$38.00 at Boone NC hardware...
Ithaca says all were chambered for 2 1/2" shells until about 1926/27 but in 1922 Western Cartridge Co.
brought out their new Super-X shell loaded with progressive burning powder in a 2 3/4 inch shell.
That started to put pressure on the shotgun manufactures to begin chambering for the 2 3/4 inch  shell..
Well, here's the kicker, mine is a '43 but chambered in 2 1/2"...Should not be but it is...
Maybe left over barrels used during the war?  Don't know...
Best way I found to check is too take off the barrels and insert a spent 2 3/4" shell...See if it fits...
I use Vintager shells in all my old shell guns...http://www.polywad.com/vintager.html
One thing about LeFevers, don't dry fire them without a spent shell in it.. One piece pin and are a pain to change.....
I have a bunch of scatterguns and this LeFever is still my favorite for rabbits and the farm varmints....
Just don't get excited and rank both triggers.......

Excuse the knives but this is it.....


And a 1938 advertisement.....

[Shotgun Franklin]

We're going Dove Hunting with a friend tomorrow. I expect he'll be using his ol' LeFever.

[Trailrider]

In checking for 2-3/4" chambers DO NOT INSERT A 2-3/4 in. SHOTSHELL IN THE CHAMBER AND ASSUME THE CHAMBERS ARE 2-3/4" simply because the shell goes in all the way! The 2-3/4" refers to the FIRED LENGTH. And MODERN 2-3/4" shells are slightly longer than the old paper ones when fired. The way to do it is to MAKE A CHAMBER CASTING from CERROSAFE low-melting point alloy (Dixie Gun Works or Brownells sells the stuff)! If this was a Belgian or German shotgun you MIGHT be able to tell if the barrels were marked "65" or "70" (70"mm = 2-3/4") chambers. But since it isn't, best measure by a chamber casting!

[ChurchandSon]

Lot of info about chamber lengths in older guns...

http://www.nevadashooters.com/showthread.php?t=18270

[Lucky R. K.]

I have a 16 Ga. that I inherited from my father-in-law.  I used to hunt grouse with it when I was younger and now use it for SAS.  I shoot both smokeless and black powder it.

Good luck with yours.

Lucky

[Lucky R. K.]

As a matter of fact, the shotgun in my profile picture is the Nitro Special.

Lucky