2 3/4"; 3" or 3.5"

[CAJUNLAWYER]

What length do y'all use? I keep reading about the newest super guns that can shoot everything-even bought SBE II but I overwhelmingly only shoot 2 3/4 shells. In fact up until several years ago my pond gun was an over under Ruger in 20 gauge shooting 3" #3 steel. I just don't see the need for the bigger shells. I mean dead is dead and although I do NOT claim to be anything but a mediocre shot, when they're flying, I will get my limit 9 out of 10 times just using regular old 2 3/4" #3's. I've made the full circle from the A-5 to the SBE II and am now back to my sons old 11-87 cause it just shoots so well and is soft on the shoulder. He doesn't know it yet, but when he gets back he's gonna get the SBE II he covets since I ain't giving back the 11-87.
I guess it's all just to sell more stuff, but I'm satisfied with the 11-87 with the skeet tube that hasn't been removed in 20 or so years. Towards the end of the season when I usually run out there is usually a shortage of 2 3/4" so I will reluctantly buy a few boxes of 3" but that's about it.
QUite frankly, if I was rich enough to be able to afford the exotic non lethals that weigh as much as lead shot, I's go back to shooting a 20.
Hell, I remember in lead shot days the 2 oz 3" magnums would positively roll your eyes back-those were a more powerful load than anything in 3.5" today.
I'll leave the 3.5" whomper stompers for the young'uns with large manhoods to project

 

[dmar]

I don't bother with the 3 1/2s, not worth the hurt. I will use 3" and sometimes 2 3/4, depends on the setting/range, and my mood...

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I shoot everything except water fowl with 2.75" shells. The only reason I use 3" steel #2 on the non-migratory geese is I had 2 boxes on the shelf and stayed with what worked. All the slugs I ever bought are/were 2.75" same with SD rounds 12 or 20. (there is always an exception, I use 3" 410) Ivan

 

[Salty RI]

I shoot everything except water fowl with 2.75" shells. The only reason I use 3" steel #2 on the non-migratory geese is I had 2 boxes on the shelf and stayed with what worked. All the slugs I ever bought are/were 2.75" same with SD rounds 12 or 20. (there is always an exception, I use 3" 410) Ivan

Same here.

 

[Leslie Sapp]

I use only 2 3/4" shells for waterfowl, unless I can't get anything but 3".
I figure if I can't reach him with the 2 3/4", he gets a chance to be in the gene pool for next year.

I shoot 3" for buckshot, but how many shots a year do you get at a deer or a hog? I have never cared for a steady diet of recoil, even when I was younger.

P.S. Given the above statement, why did I just trade into an 8mm Remington magnum?

 

[Arik]

Both my shotguns are Remington 870 police magnums so I've shot the 3" but usually stick with 2 3/4 for no other reason than its common

 

[fat tom]

You mean you don't use lead anymore? I still get great results from 2 3/4" Dove and Quail loads! Lots cheaper too.
f.t.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

2-3/4" for everything. I do not enjoy shooting magnums at all. Being a mediocre shot at best with a shotgun I have to stay within my abilities and avoid overly long shots at anything.

So far I haven't found anything that my 12-gauge 870 can't take care of with 2-3/4" shells; all I have to do is match the shot selection and choke tube to the chore at hand.

 

[Jessie]

The only time I'll use 3" is on turkeys. Even then, not all the time. I have no need nor desire to light off a 3 1/2".
Also, having a model 12 and a coach gun double, I don't worry about grabbing the wrong shells. 2 3/4" works in everything.
I too, will use 3" in .410. That's a different story altogether.

 

[DWalt]

Anyone ever see the short Aguila shells, I think 2", maybe less? I used to see them at gun shows, never tried them.

 

[bearman49709]

99.99% of the time I use 2 3/4", I use a 3" once in a while on geese.
I had my shoulder operated on Oct 5 1995 ( bone spur), and have to have a rotator cuff repair at the end of Aug or beginning of Sept so not shooting shotguns this year.

 

[muzzleblast]

When I saw the thread title, "2-3/4"; 3" or 3-1/2"?", I thought the subject was going to be barrel length.

Since you are talking scatter guns, I'd tend to say any are fine for gathering up your "turducken" ingredients; so long as the gun throws a good pattern with the load used.

MB

 

[muzzleblast]

P.S., Caj, you sure got up early in the morning to post this thread. The early bird was still snoring...

M.B.

 

[Hillbilly77]

In 12ga, I think anything over 2 3/4" shells is for masochists.

 

[pawngal]

Interesting thread, around here everybody shoots 3" most of the time. And 2 3/4 " shells are hard to get. Shotguns that are 2 3/4" only are a hard sell.

My late husband and his circle of hunting buddies were dyed in the wool goose hunters. Most of them shoot 3 1/2" 10 ga. and they are not youngsters, age range from 50 to 70+ and certainly weren't concerned about their "mancard", just liked to make those long shots at the big honkers.

 

[Bill Bates]

I don't hunt waterfowl these days, just upland game birds. I also like old side by side shotguns. These days I shot 2 1/2 inch shells in my 12 and 20 gauge guns; 2 3/4 inch shells in my 16 and 28 gauge guns and 3 inch in my .410 shotguns.

I the past I have shot my turkeys with 2 3/4 inch loads and non needed a second shot.

his year I did shoot one 3 1/2 inch shell this year at a turkey. It was loaded with Heavy Shot mixed with 5, 6s and 7. I killed this years tom at about 10 yards and could have killed it just as dead with a .410. My grandson also shot his bird at a much greater distance with the same Heavy Shot load. The amount of penetration with the Heavy Shot was impressive. He hit the bird broadside and shot penetrated the wing both breast continued through breaking the far side wing. The box of 5 shells is painfully expensive good thing you only to buy a box every couple of years.

and a grampa brag shot. My grandson William III with his first turkey.

 

[klausinak]

For waterfowl, I almost invariably use 3" steel. I almost exclusively hunt ducks. I will carry a half dozen or so 3 1/2" goose loads, it does make it easier to tell what's what when you're trying to stuff shells into the magazine. I know if I grab something that looks like a Roman candle it's BB or bigger .

-Klaus

 

[Brian41]

I started duck hunting with a 2 3/4 inch 870 Wingmaster. When I wasn't hitting ducks often I got the then new Mossberg 835 and 3 1/2 inch steel shot. Still missed ducks until I learned to lead properly but that light gun sure beat me up. I later replaced it with a Browning BPS in ten gauge as much heavier gun and helped with felt recoil.
Upland birds and deer slugs I do just fine with 2 3/4 inch shells.

 

[EQGuy]

I have been duck hunting with my 20 GA Browning Silver Hunter for the past three years. I had shoulder surgery and recoil had become a problem. I shoot 3" #3 Heavy Metal shells and they kill the ducks just as well as my 12 GA did. With that being said I bought a mercury recoil reducer for my Citori 12 GA Duck Gun and may hunt with it this year. I will be shooting 3" Heavy Metal #2 or #3 in the Citori. The friend I used to hunt with, until he moved to Seattle, used his 1100 2 3/4" 12 Ga and killed just as many ducks as I did shooting 3 1/2" mags.

 

[OLDSTER]

Every thing from doves to geese with my 12 gauge skeet grade 1100 ( 2 3/4" only-and no choke tubes) that I've used since I purchased it in 1986. I've never felt handicapped.