3 inch magnum and 2 3/4 inch shell

Doug.38PR · January 10, 2007, 03:57 PM

I've heard that a 3 inch magnum is no more powerful than a 2 3/4 inch shell, it just has more buckshot in it (hence this is why older 2 3/4 shotguns can be safely converted to shoot 3 inch magnums)

Is this true or false?

sanson · January 10, 2007, 04:03 PM

all I can say is the 3 inchers hurt me more than a high-brass 2 3/4

BUCKMARK · January 10, 2007, 04:23 PM

In general? True.

A 2 3/4" load vs. a 3" load with the same speed will both run about the same chamber pressure. Around 11,000 give or take.

The 3" shell just has more shot...when you push more shot out the barrel at the same speed...it will feel like more recoil.

sanson · January 10, 2007, 04:28 PM

OK so more weight being pushed forward creates more bounce pushin' back..(powder charge being equal)

BUCKMARK · January 10, 2007, 04:37 PM

Not quite...

a 2 3/4" load running 1250 FPS vs. a 3" load running 1250FPS.

Both loads go the same speed, but the 3" load has more shot in it...therefore will require a higher powder charge to make it go the same speed.

The target will be hit at the same speed with 2 different numbers of shot...the 3" load having more shot.

The chamber pressures for both loads will be in the 11,000 PSI ballpark. Most 2 3/4" and 3" heavy loads will range between 10,500 and 11,500 PSI.

sanson · January 10, 2007, 04:43 PM

I've been using 2 3/4 to save my old shoulder. if I find a 3" that suits me is there some advantage to using the 3? other than more shot

Cheese · January 10, 2007, 07:47 PM

With slugs there is. Brenneke claims 25% more energy in their 3" magnum vs. their 2 3/4" magnum original rifled slug.

Again, that is probably due to the increased weight, but no matter, the effect is more knock down power.

akr · January 10, 2007, 09:23 PM

I've never had the desire or need to shoot 3" shells.

Dave R · January 10, 2007, 09:32 PM

I'm pretty tolerant of recoil, but 12ga. 3" mag buck hurts.

mete · January 10, 2007, 09:46 PM

Shotshell velocities aren't all that different .You use a 3" because it holds more shot weight therefore you can use a larger shot which will reach out further .So close range shooting use 2 3/4" and long range use 3" for goose and ducks usually. While 'magnum 'in a rifle means higher velocity , magnum in a shotgun means larger shot to reach out.

Dave McC · January 10, 2007, 09:51 PM

For defense, a 9 pellet load of 00 is more than enough.In fact, the 6 pellet ultra lights I built will work well inside.

Bigger loads, except for those used in some deer hunting, are overkill, literally.

The heavier stuff takes a little longer to recover from, so if you've more than one target to neutralize, the 8 or 9 pellet loads make sense.

mpage · January 10, 2007, 10:42 PM

The 3" shell has a higher powder charge in order to throw the shot at the same velocity as a 2 3/4", or is a 3" an even higher velocity?

(edit)

skeeter1 · January 11, 2007, 12:13 AM

Quote:

I've heard that a 3 inch magnum is no more powerful than a 2 3/4 inch shell, it just has more buckshot in it (hence this is why older 2 3/4 shotguns can be safely converted to shoot 3 inch magnums)

Is this true or false?

My older Ithaca/SKB doubles have hard-chrome bores, and I doubt they could be modified to 3" chambers. It's a moot point for me, as I've had no trouble taking down geese at ~40yds with 2-3/4" loads.

January 10, 2007, 03:57 PM	#1
Doug.38PR Junior member Join Date: January 18, 2005 Posts: 3,298	3 inch magnum and 2 3/4 inch shell I've heard that a 3 inch magnum is no more powerful than a 2 3/4 inch shell, it just has more buckshot in it (hence this is why older 2 3/4 shotguns can be safely converted to shoot 3 inch magnums) Is this true or false?

January 10, 2007, 04:03 PM	#2
sanson Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2006 Location: FL panhandle Posts: 547	all I can say is the 3 inchers hurt me more than a high-brass 2 3/4 __________________ www.sansoneservices.com

January 10, 2007, 04:23 PM	#3
BUCKMARK Senior Member Join Date: July 19, 2004 Location: south central Pa. Posts: 299	In general? True. A 2 3/4" load vs. a 3" load with the same speed will both run about the same chamber pressure. Around 11,000 give or take. The 3" shell just has more shot...when you push more shot out the barrel at the same speed...it will feel like more recoil. __________________ NRA-GOA Let's Roll!

January 10, 2007, 04:28 PM	#4
sanson Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2006 Location: FL panhandle Posts: 547	OK so more weight being pushed forward creates more bounce pushin' back..(powder charge being equal) __________________ www.sansoneservices.com

January 10, 2007, 04:37 PM	#5
BUCKMARK Senior Member Join Date: July 19, 2004 Location: south central Pa. Posts: 299	Not quite... a 2 3/4" load running 1250 FPS vs. a 3" load running 1250FPS. Both loads go the same speed, but the 3" load has more shot in it...therefore will require a higher powder charge to make it go the same speed. The target will be hit at the same speed with 2 different numbers of shot...the 3" load having more shot. The chamber pressures for both loads will be in the 11,000 PSI ballpark. Most 2 3/4" and 3" heavy loads will range between 10,500 and 11,500 PSI. __________________ NRA-GOA Let's Roll!

January 10, 2007, 04:43 PM	#6
sanson Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2006 Location: FL panhandle Posts: 547	I've been using 2 3/4 to save my old shoulder. if I find a 3" that suits me is there some advantage to using the 3? other than more shot __________________ www.sansoneservices.com

January 10, 2007, 07:47 PM	#7
Cheese Member Join Date: December 6, 2006 Posts: 64	With slugs there is. Brenneke claims 25% more energy in their 3" magnum vs. their 2 3/4" magnum original rifled slug. Again, that is probably due to the increased weight, but no matter, the effect is more knock down power.

January 10, 2007, 09:23 PM	#8
akr Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,379	I've never had the desire or need to shoot 3" shells.

January 10, 2007, 09:32 PM	#9
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2000 Location: Idaho Posts: 6,073	I'm pretty tolerant of recoil, but 12ga. 3" mag buck hurts. __________________ I am Pro-Rights (on gun issues).

January 10, 2007, 09:46 PM	#10
mete Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: NY State Posts: 6,575	Shotshell velocities aren't all that different .You use a 3" because it holds more shot weight therefore you can use a larger shot which will reach out further .So close range shooting use 2 3/4" and long range use 3" for goose and ducks usually. While 'magnum 'in a rifle means higher velocity , magnum in a shotgun means larger shot to reach out.

January 10, 2007, 09:51 PM	#11
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	For defense, a 9 pellet load of 00 is more than enough.In fact, the 6 pellet ultra lights I built will work well inside. Bigger loads, except for those used in some deer hunting, are overkill, literally. The heavier stuff takes a little longer to recover from, so if you've more than one target to neutralize, the 8 or 9 pellet loads make sense.

January 10, 2007, 10:42 PM	#12
mpage Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2006 Posts: 170	The 3" shell has a higher powder charge in order to throw the shot at the same velocity as a 2 3/4", or is a 3" an even higher velocity? (edit)