Smith and Wesson Model 916-A Ammo. question.

[Megawatt]

A few years ago I picked up a Smith and Wesson Eastfield Model 916-A pump shotgun in a pond shop to be used strictly for home defense and possibly snakes. It has a 3 inch chamber. Can I safely shoot 00 buckshot MAGNUMS in this gun? If not, what is the most powerful shell I can safely use?

Thanks,
Nick

[Regolith]

Any 3 inch shell should work in the gun. Just don't try to use 3 1/2 inch shells in it.

[foghornl]

One additional caveat on ammo...

When was this shotgun made? Barrel may not be suitable for the steel and other 'unleaded' loads now in use for waterfowl and turkey hunting.

There may be some of those 'unleaded' loads available in buckshot now, so be cautious in your selections.

[Dave McCracken]

Good ol' regualr 2 3/4" buck works for HD/CD. The mags are harder kicking, more costly and do not work any better.

Yours will take 3" shells, which means 2 3/4" shells will work well.

Use those. Pattern some to see how they spread and pick the tightest spread brand. Buy lots of that.