12 ga, 2 & 3/4" 00 buckshot or 3" 00 buckshot for sd/hd?

I don't have any doubt that the 3" shell is more effective.

I do.

On paper, or just counting pellets, sure - it looks like a 3" maggie numb is 'better.' But as far as keeping those pellets where you want them to go is concerned, or managing faster follow-up shots, it might or might not work that way. It depends on how a given barrel patterns with a given buckshot load, and it isn't possible to say how a given shotgun and load will pattern - or whether or not it is actually "more effective" - until it's patterned at the ranges where it might be used. Buckshot pellets that miss their intended target are not only NOT "more effective," they are a positive liability - because each stray pellet has the potential to cause collateral damage. As Louis Awerbuck says - every pellet goes downrange with a lawyer in tow. And it depends on how well a shooter can manage a heavier recoiling load also.

That's 6 extra projectiles! Getting shot 6 times with a 33 caliber projectile is going to make a difference.

More stopped than stopped, or deader than dead? Too much is not enough? Concentrating on putting the payload where it needs to go is a better solution than worrying about launching a heavier, harder to control payload IMHO. Of course, my opinion is worth exactly what you paid for it...

lpl
 
I guess I shouldn't have made this unqualified statement

I don't have any doubt that the 3" shell is more effective. That's 6 extra projectiles! Getting shot 6 times with a 33 caliber projectile is going to make a difference.
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I should have said, for a shot that puts all pellets on target, done by a shooter who is capable of controlling and effectively firing the 3" shells - the 3" shell is more effective than the 2¾"

There are a lot of conditions there...



But I did say this:

Wouldn't this be different for each person depending on their ability to shoot 3" ? For some people that's no problem to shoot 3”, not be disoriented indoors and stay on target. For others they may not be able to do that…
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Mo' betta, dat. :D

My point as usual being, there are no hardware solutions (more pellets! more pellets!) to software problems (hit the target!).

lpl
 
Sooo... I guess the answer to which shell is best for SD/HD still is unanswered since if you make a good shot with 2 3/4, 00, the perp is just as dead as with the 3". Too, if you really want to kill him, roll some 00buck 3 1/2". :eek::D:D.

Sorry guys, couldn't refuse.:p
 
12 ga, 2 & 3/4" 00 buckshot or 3" 00 buckshot for sd/hd?
i find remington patterns and cycles the best in my mossbergs 500s. the 2 3/4" has 9 pellets vs. the 3" with 15 pellets but the guns will hold 1 less round with the 3".
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They leave the barrel at the same velocity, 2 3/4" is plenty and no matter what gun you shoot it out of the extra round could be a good thing to have if needed. Boogerman or feral critter won't be counting pellets. You won't be noticing muzzle flash or recoil very much either way in a high stress situation but it will be there, It adds nothing to the party, so my dos centavos is save the 3" for ducks and geese.
 
Lee;
U r of course right re: the 2-3/4" vs. a 3", depending on range. Same philosophy holds to the premise of the post ignoring the more effective/efficient #1 and 0 Buckshot. Bigger isn't better -- otherwise we'd all be pushing 3" 000 Buck or some 3-1/2" 10 ga.

3-2-1: "hey, that makes sense -- why have us readers been following what the manufacturers pushed for hunting as an HD round too -- dur"?!

Hog;
MY posts have each tried to include information pertinent to this thread, nothing singularly personal/debateable/difference of opinion that'd hijack it and I almost succeeded.

;)
 
kicker

A three inch 12, especially in an alloy frame gun like a Mossberg, will rock you for sure.

The 2.75 loads kick less with all the perks and are all you need.
 
You can get 2 3/4" that hold 12 pellets just three shy of 15. 2 3/4 loads are fine with me and that what I stick to mostly. However I do throw in 3 inch Mags for flavor some slugs and buckshot #4 41 pellet and 000 12 pellet.
 
Tyler;
Those are 2-3/4" MAGNUMS. Compare the velocity retained despite a 1/3rd increase in payload weight. These are cool and I believe they have hunting and more security use than regular 00 Buck as well because of the hit probability/wound channels and energy retention AT DISTANCE.
 
Tyler;
Yes, they are a standard load that have been made by many firms for ages. What you have are known as 2-3/4" Magnums.
 
@TylerD45ACP and @Gehrhard
Both of you are corrrect and wrong at the same time. A little history lesson for you.
A long time ago shotgun shells were loaded with black powder it was measured in drams. When they started using smokeless powder they used dram equivelant to denote the relative powder charge. 3 3/4 - 4 dram 12 guage loads were considered magnum loads. Most 4 dram loads were marked Max as this is considered the maximum. The fact that nobody knows what dram equilvant means anymore and that powder developement has allowed better velocities than were obtainabble baack in the day. Many companies have gone to marking actual velocitiy on the box. Many have also dropped the term magnum from all 2 3/4" loadings all together. I assume so some who have what I call magnumitis will feel the need to buy the more expensive 3" magnums. Bottom line both the standard velocity 9 OO buck loads the ones going 1300 fps not the reduced recoil ones and the 12 pellot loads should most certainly be concidered 2 3/4" magnum loads no matter what is printed on the box.
 
Ok Ill take your word for it. No magnum on the box but it is I guess? 2 3/4" is all you really need for a 12gauge. Maybe a few 3" mags for flavor.
 
I respectfully disagree with the way you outline that there Mav.

EVERY 00 Buck manufacturer has the standard 2-3/4" 9-pellet 1,325 fps 12 ga. Every major American manufacturer has 2-3/4" 12-pellet 1,290 fps 12 ga. (actually Win says their's is 1,295). These still are the "2-3/4 magnums." A 1/3rd increase in payload weight with a 3% reduction in velocity. These used to be common in the PD's. Another example of how times have changed. We can't easily help people's previous "experience" or temperment.

No, I don't think the Win. 2-3/4" 9-pellet version at 1,450 fps would be called a 2-3/4" magnum -- that has been reserved for 12-pellet. I would think these boxes should say Ackley Improved so experienced and knowledgable shooters would know what they are.
 
No, I don't think the Win. 2-3/4" 9-pellet version at 1,450 fps would be called a 2-3/4" magnum
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Right off Midways websight lol
Winchester Supreme High Velocity Magnum Ammunition 12 Gauge 2-3/4" Buffered 00 Copper Plated Buckshot 9 Pellets Box of 5
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Viva le difference (sp?). But...

Winchester Supreme High Velocity Magnum Ammunition 12 Gauge 2-3/4" Buffered 00 -- they stuck that in the name very intentionally for a reason methinks. Otherwise it would be alluding to something else, as I've said. Not that they couldn't name it any darned thing they want, or not. And I'll bet they struggled putting Magnum on the box at all too these days as to many that only means 3" shells (formerly 3" Magnum).

Happy Independence Day weekend all. Let's fly our flags high and all do something uniquely American, and FOR America, during it!
 
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it seems like the best all around HD Shell.

Rumor control has it that Federal is coming out with a FliteControl load of #1. If they do, that might actually make #1 buck pattern worth two cents in at least one of the shotguns I own, NONE of which so far have demonstrated any ability to pattern conventional loads of #1 buck worth calling it a pattern. I don't care how "ideal" #1 buck is in print, how many pellets it has in a load, how efficient it is, if it won't pattern ON PAPER it isn't worth using as far as I'm concerned.

Give me a load of #1 that'll keep all its pellets in a sheet of notebook paper at 25 yards and I'll be a happy camper. Till then, I'll stick with a load of 00 that does what I want where patterns are concerned.

Are you listening, ATK???

lpl
 
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