The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - is chamber length determined by barrel???

Dave McC · January 9, 2002, 04:42 PM

Carl....

For 3" shells, BOTH have to be made for them. Doing otherwise qualifies one for the Darwin Awards.Being it's an 870, it probably won't blow up the first time you do this, but it will not be pleasant.

The obverse is true. Shorter shells will work in the 3" chamber.

Use short shells in that short bbl. This really creates no problem. 2 3/4" shells, with proper loads, are suitable for everything but long range waterfowling,turkey, and some special purpose stuff.

Two of my 4 12 ga 870s are 2 3/4" only, my oldest and newest. Except for slug testing, one that is chambered for 3" shells has never had them in it.
My freezer can testify to its effectiveness sans Magnums.

The other 3" Mag capable is Frankenstein, my overpublicized home built utility 870. Except for geese, all the wide variety of activities and game that have fallen to this using shotgun have been with dinky little 2 3/4" shells.

HTH....

January 9, 2002, 04:42 PM	#4
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Carl.... For 3" shells, BOTH have to be made for them. Doing otherwise qualifies one for the Darwin Awards.Being it's an 870, it probably won't blow up the first time you do this, but it will not be pleasant. The obverse is true. Shorter shells will work in the 3" chamber. Use short shells in that short bbl. This really creates no problem. 2 3/4" shells, with proper loads, are suitable for everything but long range waterfowling,turkey, and some special purpose stuff. Two of my 4 12 ga 870s are 2 3/4" only, my oldest and newest. Except for slug testing, one that is chambered for 3" shells has never had them in it. My freezer can testify to its effectiveness sans Magnums. The other 3" Mag capable is Frankenstein, my overpublicized home built utility 870. Except for geese, all the wide variety of activities and game that have fallen to this using shotgun have been with dinky little 2 3/4" shells. HTH....