2 3/4 shells

burger and fries · March 18, 2010, 02:13 AM

Hello,

Is there a significant difference in effectiveness of 3 in. shells over 2 3/4 in.? Talking about 00 buck only.

Thanks,
bnf

NoSecondBest · March 18, 2010, 08:24 AM

Significant? Not really. If you compare apples to apples there is a potential advantage in that there would be more shot being expelled out the muzzle. In the real world you need to compare apples to oranges. Read the amount of shot contained in each shell from one manufacturer to another. You'll find some 2 3/4 inch shells that have as much, or sometimes more, shot in each shell than that found in another brand of 3 inch shell. If you want more shot coming out the muzzle you need to see how much shot is in the shells you are buying. All things being equal, you can get more shot into a 3 inch case than a 2 3/4 inch case. One other thing, depending on what you are going to shoot, OO buckshot isn't always the best. Sometimes #4 in a 3 inch shell is better due to the number of pellets/balls being discharged and the pattern density at the distance you expect to be shooting.

Scattergun Bob · March 18, 2010, 09:17 AM

3" = higher pellet count, no added speed, more felt recoil. For me it is not an advantage. The quicker I am back on target, the more effective I am. Just my humble opinion.

Good Luck & Be Safe

Willie Lowman · March 18, 2010, 09:50 AM

Something like 15 pellets for the 3" vs 9 pellets for the 2 3/4"

I have not met any critter in my part of the world that looked me in the eye and said "Willie, you are gonna need to hit me with 6 more .33 caliber pellets because the first 9 weren't enough."

Unless defending against black bears, I recommend quality buffered 2 3/4" over any magnum 3" shell.

Hog Buster · March 18, 2010, 10:38 AM

Denser shot pattern, no other advantages, that’s it.

Reminds me of the debate about 2 3/4 inch standard and 2 3/4 inch magnum shells years back. Folks thought that the magnums were anti-aircraft shells and they could kill ’em as far as they could see ‘em. The truth was they were only getting more shot in their pattern.

bamaranger · March 18, 2010, 08:43 PM

You get a higher pellet count, (15 v. 9) but a bunch more recoil.

I have not used a bunch of buckshot on game (deer, dispatching road cripples) but there might be an advantage to getting a few more pellets in the air and on your animal in a hunting scenario...... but you'll pay a price in recoil.

For HD/SD/ duty use, the std 9 pellet load is universal, I believe due to recoil and recovery issue. The popularity of the reduced recoil 8 and 9 pellet loads is likely proof to reinforce the point.

Lee Lapin · March 19, 2010, 11:50 AM

3" maggie numbs only cost a few bucks a box- buy a box of 5, or even a couple of different brands, and see for yourself how they pattern in your gun compared to your favorite 2 3/4" load of 00.

fwiw,

lpl

Old Grump · March 19, 2010, 12:42 PM

I have 3 1/2" 10 gauge because that's the only way I could get 10 gauge ammo. For everything else from 20 to 12 gauge its 2 3/4" because it works. Dead turkey, dead deer, dead Raccoon and feral cats. They wouldn't get any deader if I used a larger shell. (.410 is 2 1/2"), the one box of 3" shells I have I got because I wasn't paying attention when I picked them up. If you are going to miss with 2 3/4" shells you will probably miss with the longer shells too.

Charles Ellis · March 20, 2010, 11:34 AM

Depending on who makes the ammo there is very little difference.Federal makes a 2 3/4 in 12 ga that has 12 pellets in 00.They also make a 2 3/4 in #4 buck that has 34 .25 cal.pellets.Those are my 2 favorite buckshot loads,however if I was practicing with buckshot Seller & Bellot 12 ga 00 costs only half as much and is the issued buckshot of several Federal police agencies.

apr1775 · March 21, 2010, 09:35 PM

Both are limited to 11500psi. If the 3in has more shot, it may likely have lower velocity.

March 18, 2010, 02:13 AM	#1
burger and fries Member Join Date: August 11, 2009 Posts: 26	2 3/4 shells Hello, Is there a significant difference in effectiveness of 3 in. shells over 2 3/4 in.? Talking about 00 buck only. Thanks, bnf

March 18, 2010, 09:17 AM	#3
Scattergun Bob Senior Member Join Date: February 29, 2008 Location: Nine Mile Falls, Washington Posts: 1,186	burger and fries 3" = higher pellet count, no added speed, more felt recoil. For me it is not an advantage. The quicker I am back on target, the more effective I am. Just my humble opinion. Good Luck & Be Safe __________________ First, with the most, WINS! Regards, Scattergun Bob

March 18, 2010, 10:38 AM	#5
Hog Buster Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2009 Location: Pointe Coupee, Louisana Posts: 772	Denser shot pattern, no other advantages, that’s it. Reminds me of the debate about 2 3/4 inch standard and 2 3/4 inch magnum shells years back. Folks thought that the magnums were anti-aircraft shells and they could kill ’em as far as they could see ‘em. The truth was they were only getting more shot in their pattern. __________________ Those who beat their guns into plows, will plow for those who don't.-Thomas Jefferson

March 18, 2010, 08:43 PM	#6
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,312	pellet count INCREASED recoil You get a higher pellet count, (15 v. 9) but a bunch more recoil. I have not used a bunch of buckshot on game (deer, dispatching road cripples) but there might be an advantage to getting a few more pellets in the air and on your animal in a hunting scenario...... but you'll pay a price in recoil. For HD/SD/ duty use, the std 9 pellet load is universal, I believe due to recoil and recovery issue. The popularity of the reduced recoil 8 and 9 pellet loads is likely proof to reinforce the point.

March 19, 2010, 11:50 AM	#7
Lee Lapin Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2004 Location: SE NC Posts: 1,239	3" maggie numbs only cost a few bucks a box- buy a box of 5, or even a couple of different brands, and see for yourself how they pattern in your gun compared to your favorite 2 3/4" load of 00. fwiw, lpl __________________ Mindset - Skillset - Toolset. In that order! Attitude and skill will get you through times of no gear, better than gear will get you through times of no attitude and no skill.

March 18, 2010, 08:24 AM	#2
NoSecondBest Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2009 Location: Western New York Posts: 2,736	Significant? Not really. If you compare apples to apples there is a potential advantage in that there would be more shot being expelled out the muzzle. In the real world you need to compare apples to oranges. Read the amount of shot contained in each shell from one manufacturer to another. You'll find some 2 3/4 inch shells that have as much, or sometimes more, shot in each shell than that found in another brand of 3 inch shell. If you want more shot coming out the muzzle you need to see how much shot is in the shells you are buying. All things being equal, you can get more shot into a 3 inch case than a 2 3/4 inch case. One other thing, depending on what you are going to shoot, OO buckshot isn't always the best. Sometimes #4 in a 3 inch shell is better due to the number of pellets/balls being discharged and the pattern density at the distance you expect to be shooting.

March 18, 2010, 09:50 AM	#4
Willie Lowman Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2009 Location: Uh-Hi-O Posts: 3,006	Something like 15 pellets for the 3" vs 9 pellets for the 2 3/4" I have not met any critter in my part of the world that looked me in the eye and said "Willie, you are gonna need to hit me with 6 more .33 caliber pellets because the first 9 weren't enough." Unless defending against black bears, I recommend quality buffered 2 3/4" over any magnum 3" shell. __________________ "9mm has a very long history of being a pointy little bullet moving quickly" --Sevens

March 19, 2010, 12:42 PM	#8
Old Grump Member in memoriam Join Date: April 9, 2009 Location: Blue River Wisconsin, in Posts: 3,144	I have 3 1/2" 10 gauge because that's the only way I could get 10 gauge ammo. For everything else from 20 to 12 gauge its 2 3/4" because it works. Dead turkey, dead deer, dead Raccoon and feral cats. They wouldn't get any deader if I used a larger shell. (.410 is 2 1/2"), the one box of 3" shells I have I got because I wasn't paying attention when I picked them up. If you are going to miss with 2 3/4" shells you will probably miss with the longer shells too. __________________ Good intentions will always be pleaded for any assumption of power. The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern will, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters. --Daniel Webster--

March 20, 2010, 11:34 AM	#9
Charles Ellis Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2010 Location: conroe,texas Posts: 200	Depending on who makes the ammo there is very little difference.Federal makes a 2 3/4 in 12 ga that has 12 pellets in 00.They also make a 2 3/4 in #4 buck that has 34 .25 cal.pellets.Those are my 2 favorite buckshot loads,however if I was practicing with buckshot Seller & Bellot 12 ga 00 costs only half as much and is the issued buckshot of several Federal police agencies.

March 21, 2010, 09:35 PM	#10
apr1775 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 425	Both are limited to 11500psi. If the 3in has more shot, it may likely have lower velocity.