doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Two inch Twelve gauge

With respect to reloading the 2 inch shell has anyone tried the Mini Shell kit from MEC? Looked at their short kit and decided I could just as easily make a plate from 1/4" steel to raise up the height.

I had a 650 Jr. in 20 ga. I found a set of 12 ga. tools to fit it on Ebay. I took a different approach to raising the "table" I cut off a low brass shell flush with the top of the brass and used a hole saw to cut out the .25" piece of scrap marine plywood and epoxied it to the base with JB Weld. I had to trim the plastic final stage crimping tool to an overall length of 2" measured from the top of the tool to the opening. I move the sawed off brass around to the stages I need. The rimmed hull stub fits under the metal piece that allows the shell to align with each stage correctly and place the hull to be loaded on top of it. I use a separate device to resize, de-prime and re-prime. I mostly roll crimp, however. In speaking with MEC, the short shell kit won't accommodate 2" shells without modification. Here's a thinned from firing, worn out 2" hull previously roll crimped. Not having any star crimped ammo left, here's what the press does on a hull filled with rice for a quick example of what can be done with the stub beside it. Perhaps borderbill will show what he's done to his press.

FWIW I just checked the date code on my Hellis with a loupe, an "R", which jives with what The records stated, 1936-37

My Hellis has a "S" indicating 37-38, a year later than yours, but with your serial # being 30 units higher. Go figure. Gil

The Mec short kit is a metal plate with four removable screw in feet. Its set hight is for the 1 3/4" shell. I turned down the legs on the lathe to what I thought I needed for the 2 inches; I had to do that one or times until I had the room I needed at the crimping station. If you're just going to roll crimp the hight is not so critical. I thought about just using a shaped steel plate at first but I'm glad I didn't. Having to cut down the thickness on the mill or shaper would have been too much screwing around. Wood would work easily as well on the Mec Jr. but you might find yourself taking it back to jointer to get the crimping station hight.

The records show that mine was built and sold in November of 1936 to Mr. Wilson. Maybe it was a special order just for him or maybe they made a group of ejector guns in one run.

Nice 2" Skimin & Wood, unfortunately with no image of the barrel flats
https://www.cpoutfitters.com/Skimin-Wood-Boxlock-Ejector-12-Ga-2-SxS-Shotgun-p/swble12b241.htm

We have talked about that one already. I've seen the proofs and talked to the owner. It has been punched out to 2.75"and reproofed.

That's the one at Country Something in Massachusetts, right?

You are correct Brent. The Gun International listing back on p. 10.
No mention of the 2 3/4" chambers.

Yeah, you have to talk to the guy. He sent me pics of the proofs. I might be able to dig them out of the trash. I'll see. They are as he said. But I would not buy such a gun.