ammo ?'s

yobos4vr · June 18, 2005, 04:54 PM

just got an 870 today, now it says i can use 2 3/4 or 3" magnum shells. what's the difference between the 2 3/4 and 3" shells besides size. also can someone explain or have a link to the different shells and what there used for.

thanks

sm · June 18, 2005, 05:53 PM

Welcome to TFL !

http://www.winchester.com/

www.federalcartridge.com/

www.remington.com

The length of the shell refers to the length WHEN FIRED!

In layman' terms - The inside of the barrel, the chamber is long enough to accomodate a 3" fired shell lin your gun. Naturally this allows you fire the 2 3/4" length shells as well.

FWIW I finally have a 12 bore shotgun that has a 3" chamber. I have yet to fire one, for all my years I have felled any and everything with 2 3/4" shells.
[Exception is in .410]

Tidbit: To determine the dia of a pellet , subtract the shot size from 17.

For instance to find the pellet dia of #6 shot : 17-6= 11 therefore #6 shot is .11 in dia.

T4

Lee Lapin · June 19, 2005, 09:45 AM

The 3" magnum ammo costs more and kicks harder because it has a larger shot charge and sometimes even more powder as well. People who are hunting waterfowl or turkeys can perhaps justify the expense and added pain, most other folks except macho masochists and people who insist more/bigger is better get along fine with standard 2 3/4" loads for general shotgunning. There are 2 3/4" maggie numb shells as well, see the remarks about 3" maggie numbs above.

You pays your money, you can buy whatever ammo you want tho... nevermind old fuddyduddies like sm and me, or that Dave McC guy if he shows up. Steve and Dave have likely spilled more shot than I have fired, I especially wouldn't listen to them of all people... 8^).

lpl/nc (who really likes reduced recoil 2 3/4" buck and slugs)

sm · June 19, 2005, 10:06 AM

Gee whiz Lee, thanks (I think) - you forgot the part about how many vacuum cleaners I have "kilt" with live primers...

If you keep on doing what ya always done - ya keep on getting what you always got

Results - I like always getting results....so I keep on doing what I always done...

FWIW, Sears, Dirt Devil , Eureka, and Hoover vacuum cleaners. ain't live primer proof. I need to test a Oreck and Kirby - all in the name of science of course...

I really thought the Sears canister would survive...

Death from Afar · June 19, 2005, 03:20 PM

The real advantage of the 3" bad boys is more pellets, and thus a denser pattern.

YOu pay for it on the recieiving end- I think a 3inch magnum shot shell has more recoil than a .373 H&H.

June 18, 2005, 04:54 PM	#1
yobos4vr Junior Member Join Date: March 28, 2005 Location: FL Posts: 11	ammo ?'s just got an 870 today, now it says i can use 2 3/4 or 3" magnum shells. what's the difference between the 2 3/4 and 3" shells besides size. also can someone explain or have a link to the different shells and what there used for. thanks

June 18, 2005, 05:53 PM	#2
sm Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2002 Posts: 1,819	Welcome to TFL ! http://www.winchester.com/ www.federalcartridge.com/ www.remington.com The length of the shell refers to the length WHEN FIRED! In layman' terms - The inside of the barrel, the chamber is long enough to accomodate a 3" fired shell lin your gun. Naturally this allows you fire the 2 3/4" length shells as well. FWIW I finally have a 12 bore shotgun that has a 3" chamber. I have yet to fire one, for all my years I have felled any and everything with 2 3/4" shells. [Exception is in .410] Tidbit: To determine the dia of a pellet , subtract the shot size from 17. For instance to find the pellet dia of #6 shot : 17-6= 11 therefore #6 shot is .11 in dia. T4 __________________ Use Enough Gun TFL Alumni

June 19, 2005, 10:06 AM	#4
sm Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2002 Posts: 1,819	Gee whiz Lee, thanks (I think) - you forgot the part about how many vacuum cleaners I have "kilt" with live primers... If you keep on doing what ya always done - ya keep on getting what you always got Results - I like always getting results....so I keep on doing what I always done... FWIW, Sears, Dirt Devil , Eureka, and Hoover vacuum cleaners. ain't live primer proof. I need to test a Oreck and Kirby - all in the name of science of course... I really thought the Sears canister would survive... __________________ Use Enough Gun TFL Alumni

June 19, 2005, 03:20 PM	#5
Death from Afar Senior Member Join Date: November 7, 2004 Location: Living the dream in Christchurch, NEW ZEALAND Posts: 1,635	The real advantage of the 3" bad boys is more pellets, and thus a denser pattern. YOu pay for it on the recieiving end- I think a 3inch magnum shot shell has more recoil than a .373 H&H. __________________ "Beware of the Man with one gun...he probably isnt into guns enough to be safe with it".

June 19, 2005, 09:45 AM	#3
Lee Lapin Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2004 Location: SE NC Posts: 1,239	The 3" magnum ammo costs more and kicks harder because it has a larger shot charge and sometimes even more powder as well. People who are hunting waterfowl or turkeys can perhaps justify the expense and added pain, most other folks except macho masochists and people who insist more/bigger is better get along fine with standard 2 3/4" loads for general shotgunning. There are 2 3/4" maggie numb shells as well, see the remarks about 3" maggie numbs above. You pays your money, you can buy whatever ammo you want tho... nevermind old fuddyduddies like sm and me, or that Dave McC guy if he shows up. Steve and Dave have likely spilled more shot than I have fired, I especially wouldn't listen to them of all people... 8^). lpl/nc (who really likes reduced recoil 2 3/4" buck and slugs)