Crimps in old semi automatic shotguns

[Lu249]

I am about to buy a sjogren semi auto interial shotgun from 1908-1909. As per usual in older shotguns, it is chambered for 2.5 in 12 gauge shells. There are not many videos on YouTube of the shotgun and just ordered shells from RST and they are crimped shells. Was wondering if rolled vs crimped shells would make a difference?

 

[entropy]

Only in the way you reload them, if you are going to. Ian from Forgotten Weapons has a good video on the Sjögren. From what I saw, not one I'd want to shoot a round of Sporting Clays with!

 

[DocRock]

Super cool! Would love to have one of those.

In terms of roll vs star crimp, if you mean will it make a difference to safety or performance, then no. As long as you use 2.5” shells, the method of crimp is not material.

 

[Rudolph31]

A 2 1/2” roll crimped shell will hold the same payload as a 2 3/4” fold crimped one.

 

[kozak6]

Unfired rolled-crimp shells tend to be slightly shorter than fold-crimped ones. With 2 3/4" shells, this can make a difference of a single round of tube-magazine capacity.

With 2 1/2" shells, probably not? However, it seems like the thing a game warden might be interested in.

Shotguns are screwy with reloading, so it's better to stick to published loads.

 

[Rudolph31]

I Hartin Crimp my 2 1/2” shells, and they’re exactly the same unfired length as my 2 3/4” ones. I know this because I use the press set up for the longer shell.

The Hartin Crimp simply fold crimps the over shot card in place. Sometimes it needs a drop of hot glue, but it’s quick and easy. The advantages are, No short kit required, No change in recipes, and No fussing with roll crimpers.

Here’s a factory 2 3/4” next to one of my reloads.