3 inch magnum and 2 3/4 inch shell

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Doug.38PR

Moderator
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?
 
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.
 
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.
 
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
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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)
 
Be very careful there

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?
Click to expand...

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.
 
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