I'm not a shotgun guy..... but"mini" shells seem to be all the rage l lately..... fill me in......... are they any good ??????
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?????Minishell for shotguns????
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For standing against the bedroom nightstand, my Mossburg Shockwave (technically not a shotgun), the OpSol mini-shell adapter works great, as far as I'm concerned. It always goes on those mountain camping and desert trips too.
I originally bought the Shockwave, watched a mess of videos, read a whole lot about the subject. Bought the different types of Aguila mini-shells, and have shot a lot for the experience. Just like many others, I do like them. Of course, some don't, or have never really shot them, before stating opinions.
I originally bought the Shockwave, watched a mess of videos, read a whole lot about the subject. Bought the different types of Aguila mini-shells, and have shot a lot for the experience. Just like many others, I do like them. Of course, some don't, or have never really shot them, before stating opinions.
Sistema1927
US Veteran
The Aguila Mini-shells feed in my Winchester 1300 w/o modification and in my Mossberg Shockwave with the Opsol adapter. YMMV.
They also, of course, work just fine in a double gun.
But, if your repeater won't take to the Aguilas, then try the Herters mini buckshot shells that are longer than the Aguilas.
They also, of course, work just fine in a double gun.
But, if your repeater won't take to the Aguilas, then try the Herters mini buckshot shells that are longer than the Aguilas.
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Part of the More Ammo is Better theory.
Not a bad theory really, but you give up something to get something.
In this case the shorter length of each shell/round allows more rounds to be held in the magazine of the shotgun.
But, each round holds a smaller payload of shot than the standard 2 3/4 oz shotshell normally used.
The Short Shells are loaded with about (and it varys) just under 11/16oz of shot each.
That shot load can be in different sizes and even a mix of two sizes in one shell in some brands. but it's still around 11/16oz of lead (19grams I think is metric load they go by, .68oz).
The standard 2 3/4oz shotshell off the shelf can be loaded with most anything up to 1 1/8oz and the 'Baby Magnum Loads are 1 1/4oz.
Quite a difference ,,BUT,,Quite a difference also in how many you can load in the tube of your pump or semi auto between the 2 lengths of rounds.
Sometimes double the number by using the shortys.
The velocity is around the same of the two different loads,,right at the magic 1250fps that clay games and sport shooting seems to have agreed upon as necessary.
The short rounds do recoil less,,less mass to the projectile,,less recoil going the other way to the shooter. That can be a big plus in many situations and for many shooters.
Many say the Shorty rounds are a bit quieter to shoot. I don't know personally
You can carry, store, alot more of the Shorty rounds and at alot less weight than the regular stuff. It's simply lighter.
Some pumps need a simple $15 conversion kit to make them work right with the extra short shells but other than that, no problems.
It's just a plastic 'skid' that clamps to the carrier to take up some of the room afforded by the short shell and makes them load smoothly up the ramp and into the chamber.
Slug loads in the Short Shells are generally a 7/8oz slug going by the 25gram marking on the empty hulls I've seena t the range this Fall.. That seems to be the standard now for the big boy loads too. Used to be a 1oz 12ga slug was the norm but not so much anymore.
If they fly at the same vel (1250fps), they'd be just as effective as the longer shell loads.
Not a bad theory really, but you give up something to get something.
In this case the shorter length of each shell/round allows more rounds to be held in the magazine of the shotgun.
But, each round holds a smaller payload of shot than the standard 2 3/4 oz shotshell normally used.
The Short Shells are loaded with about (and it varys) just under 11/16oz of shot each.
That shot load can be in different sizes and even a mix of two sizes in one shell in some brands. but it's still around 11/16oz of lead (19grams I think is metric load they go by, .68oz).
The standard 2 3/4oz shotshell off the shelf can be loaded with most anything up to 1 1/8oz and the 'Baby Magnum Loads are 1 1/4oz.
Quite a difference ,,BUT,,Quite a difference also in how many you can load in the tube of your pump or semi auto between the 2 lengths of rounds.
Sometimes double the number by using the shortys.
The velocity is around the same of the two different loads,,right at the magic 1250fps that clay games and sport shooting seems to have agreed upon as necessary.
The short rounds do recoil less,,less mass to the projectile,,less recoil going the other way to the shooter. That can be a big plus in many situations and for many shooters.
Many say the Shorty rounds are a bit quieter to shoot. I don't know personally
You can carry, store, alot more of the Shorty rounds and at alot less weight than the regular stuff. It's simply lighter.
Some pumps need a simple $15 conversion kit to make them work right with the extra short shells but other than that, no problems.
It's just a plastic 'skid' that clamps to the carrier to take up some of the room afforded by the short shell and makes them load smoothly up the ramp and into the chamber.
Slug loads in the Short Shells are generally a 7/8oz slug going by the 25gram marking on the empty hulls I've seena t the range this Fall.. That seems to be the standard now for the big boy loads too. Used to be a 1oz 12ga slug was the norm but not so much anymore.
If they fly at the same vel (1250fps), they'd be just as effective as the longer shell loads.
OP
What's this kit you speak of???????????????
I’ve found that 2 1/4” shells feed quite nicely without the OpSol, which I had trouble fitting properly . . .
Sistema1927
US Veteran
Not worth my time. Mini's have less of everything. Use regular shells. They are standard and have worked for over 100 years.
oneounceload
Member
What shells are 2-1/4"? Never have seen any; and that goes back over 100 years..............or are you talking about the UNfired length?
Sistema1927
US Veteran
The Herter's (Cabelas) mini-buckshot is advertised as 2 1/4". Nobelsport makes the same:
10 round box - 12 Gauge 2.25 Inch 6-pellet 00 Buckshot Nobelsport Ammo ANS12200BK10 | SGAmmo.com
steveno
Member
anybody tried these short shells in a Remington 870?
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Moe Mentum
Member
I assume you would want mini shells for around the house, I prefer a standard shell, that I know will be 100% reliable in my pump in an emergency.
Protected One
Member
From what I have seen and read the mini-shell seems to be more than adequate for home and personal defense, or offense for that matter.
KelTec makes a bullpup shotgun - the KSG, that holds 14 standard shells in it's dual-tubes...or 42 mini shells!!! I'm told it is reliable and I wouldn't feel uncomfortable at depending on it at all. Once the price goes down or I can find a good used one it will be added to my arsenal.
I'm going to have to try some of these in my PW87. It is chambered for 2-2/4" shells, but I have found that after being fired, the hulls of some brands are too long for the opened up crimp end to clear the breach end of the chamber and be ejected.
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chiefbob81
US Veteran
The mimis did not cycle in my 870. There is an Italian co that makes a 2 inch shell that works great. With the extended tobe I can fit 9+1.
