Your shotgun was made for Sears by Stevens, and is their model 311. It should take 2.5 inch and 3 inch .410 shells.
Take it to a gunsmith for verification
The Western Field model 30 pump action shotgun and the Stevens model 520 shotgun are one and the same firearm.Savage/Stevens made these for Montgomery Wards.The shotgun in question should show that it was chambered for the 12 gauge shotshell.The length of these shotgun shells were 2 3/4in. If your shotgun is not marked,I would have a gunsmith make a quick check of the chambering for you.This will only take a couple of minutes to do.
No. The 2 3/4 means Two and Three Quarters Inch shells (or shorter).
3/8 x 33.1"
Ensure you look at the stamped shell gauge on the side of the receiver (12 or 20 Gauge). Should be able to take 2 3/4" and 3" shells.
Your western field shotgun should take standard size 2 3/4in.shells in 16 gauge.However be aware that 16 gauge shotguns were chambered in 2 9/16in chambers until the 1920,s.If you have any doubt I would have a pro.gunsmith check the chamber to be sure of it,s length.
K frame
Take it to a gunsmith for exact measurement
um, no. thay do take plus sized models. take Whitney for example.
Depends on the model and what size engine.
Shells are made of calcium carbonate, which can take hundreds to thousands of years to break down completely in the environment. Factors such as water acidity, temperature, and microbial activity can influence the degradation rate of shells.