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Dave McC · January 8, 2001, 03:06 PM

No stupid questions.

Any shell can be safely fired in a chamber of a length longer than the nominal shell length. I say nominal because a 2 3/4" shell is that long only after firing, not before.

This means that in a 3" chamber, you can shoot 3", 2 3/4", 2 1/2", even those itty bitty 2" Brits loads safely. And, they will pattern effectively. THE REVERSE IS NOT TRUE!!
3" shells that are fired in a 2 3/4" chamber are not good for you or the shotgun. An 870 will handle it,probably, but I cringe at the thought.

2 3/4" loads in a 3 inch chamber will shoot fine.

January 8, 2001, 03:06 PM	#3
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	No stupid questions. Any shell can be safely fired in a chamber of a length longer than the nominal shell length. I say nominal because a 2 3/4" shell is that long only after firing, not before. This means that in a 3" chamber, you can shoot 3", 2 3/4", 2 1/2", even those itty bitty 2" Brits loads safely. And, they will pattern effectively. THE REVERSE IS NOT TRUE!! 3" shells that are fired in a 2 3/4" chamber are not good for you or the shotgun. An 870 will handle it,probably, but I cringe at the thought. 2 3/4" loads in a 3 inch chamber will shoot fine.