Beretta waterfowlers edge

Deerhunter · August 11, 2010, 09:37 PM

I was just watching an episode of Beretta's waterfowlers edge that I DVRd this weekend. They were hunting duck's in Mexico on the Gulf coast. They were talking about the SemiAuto shotguns that Beretta has. First they talk about one and have a picture behind the info of an over under. Then the last gun they talk about is the new Xplorer. They said,

Quote:

it will handle anything from 2.5 to 3.5 inch shells

. Interesting I didn't know anyone made 2.5 inch shells. You would think a show like that they would pay better attention. Certainly doesn't help how I feel about Berettas. Now I am basing that off my experience with the 92F in the Army. Anyway this didn't help.

So am I crazy or is there actually a 2.5 inch shell for a 12 gauge?

zippy13 · August 11, 2010, 10:09 PM

Midway has a few loadings in 12-ga 2 1/2-inch.

PJR · August 12, 2010, 06:54 AM

Quote:

So am I crazy or is there actually a 2.5 inch shell for a 12 gauge?

The 2.5" 12 gauge is a very common chambering in Great Britain. It's available but not common in North America. Kent has some 2.5" offerings.

Dave McC · August 12, 2010, 10:09 AM

100 years ago, most 12 gauges took 2.5" shells. Kent, Gamebore and Polywad still make them available for use in older shotguns.Most are loaded light to keep pressures down in century old guns.

The Brits also used a 2" 12 gauge shell in certain very light guns, and I've heard of but not seen a 2.25" version.

johnbt · August 12, 2010, 10:11 AM

www.polywad.com/vintager.html

You can buy 2" shells, too. Scroll down the page.

huntingwithdaughters · August 19, 2010, 10:33 AM

Even if you don't have a vintage British sxs, the 2 1/2's are useful

If you are upland bird hunting with a light, field grade sxs, you get minimal recoil and still good stopping power for Quail, grouse and doves.

In the duck blind, I don't see it. Then again, 3 1/2's are usually over kill and never a substitute for accurate shooting. Maybe for long shots at geese, but those shots are usually just sky busting

I had a Beretta 302 that jammed on duck hunts and I had to get rid of it...

huntingwithdaughters · August 19, 2010, 10:37 AM

On a sporting clay course a British shooting instructor named Paul Smith insisted I try some 2" shells on some nasty, high midi targets. I thought, no way. I had no trouble breaking them. If you think you need heavy loads you will. It has a lot to do with confidence in your shooting. Try lighter loads, you will be surprised. I shoot 1 oz loads in my 12 gauge. Why have extra recoil?

Paul killed pheasants with 2 1/2" #7 1/2 target loads. I shot, one bird. I never saw him miss. He thinks high brass loads are for people who can't shoot accurately...he wrote a great book on English wood pigeon shooting. They fly higher and faster than doves and are great to eat if you can shoot one.

August 19, 2010, 10:33 AM	#6
huntingwithdaughters Junior Member Join Date: August 19, 2010 Location: New Jersey Posts: 4	Why would we want 2 1/2's in a duck blind Even if you don't have a vintage British sxs, the 2 1/2's are useful If you are upland bird hunting with a light, field grade sxs, you get minimal recoil and still good stopping power for Quail, grouse and doves. In the duck blind, I don't see it. Then again, 3 1/2's are usually over kill and never a substitute for accurate shooting. Maybe for long shots at geese, but those shots are usually just sky busting I had a Beretta 302 that jammed on duck hunts and I had to get rid of it... __________________ David Bershtein www.huntingwithdaughters.com '88 vintage 1187 premier 12 ga 28" Looking for a 28 gauge field gun

August 11, 2010, 10:09 PM	#2
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	Midway has a few loadings in 12-ga 2 1/2-inch.

August 12, 2010, 10:09 AM	#4
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	100 years ago, most 12 gauges took 2.5" shells. Kent, Gamebore and Polywad still make them available for use in older shotguns.Most are loaded light to keep pressures down in century old guns. The Brits also used a 2" 12 gauge shell in certain very light guns, and I've heard of but not seen a 2.25" version.

August 12, 2010, 10:11 AM	#5
johnbt Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 1999 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Posts: 6,004	www.polywad.com/vintager.html You can buy 2" shells, too. Scroll down the page.

August 19, 2010, 10:37 AM	#7
huntingwithdaughters Junior Member Join Date: August 19, 2010 Location: New Jersey Posts: 4	2" shells can be very accurate On a sporting clay course a British shooting instructor named Paul Smith insisted I try some 2" shells on some nasty, high midi targets. I thought, no way. I had no trouble breaking them. If you think you need heavy loads you will. It has a lot to do with confidence in your shooting. Try lighter loads, you will be surprised. I shoot 1 oz loads in my 12 gauge. Why have extra recoil? Paul killed pheasants with 2 1/2" #7 1/2 target loads. I shot, one bird. I never saw him miss. He thinks high brass loads are for people who can't shoot accurately...he wrote a great book on English wood pigeon shooting. They fly higher and faster than doves and are great to eat if you can shoot one. __________________ David Bershtein www.huntingwithdaughters.com '88 vintage 1187 premier 12 ga 28" Looking for a 28 gauge field gun