First off I have to point out that 2 5/8 inch is LARGER than 2 9/16 inch. I would suggest NOT taking chances with a shell length that is likely right on the borderline between safe and a blown up shotgun. Fact is that model 12 is in such wonderful condition that it's a truly Collectable firearm worth a much higher price than a lightly used field condition shotgun. If you really want to shoot it find someone who can load 2 1/2 inch shells for it. Yeah, you may have to pay something like 2 or 3 bucks a shell but a shotgun in that condition really shouldn't be treated like a shooter.
Note, on my desk at work I have a circular from an outfit that sells components and equipment for building hand made Roll Crimped shotgun shells. In total you could probably set yourself up to make your own roll crimped loads using a very basic Whack A Mole setup. Big plus for Roll Crimps is they are supposed to pattern more evenly and building custom length shells is simply a matter of trimming the shell length to the correct starting length. Means you could take once fired 16 gage hulls from 2 3/4 loads and cut them back to produce 2 1/2 inch shells. Sorry, can't remember the name of that outfit the circular was handed to me by a co-worker who knows I'm into busting clays.
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