[BluesBear]

that a Marlin or Winchester lever action .410 shotgun can't be made or at least converted to use 3" ammunition?

Isn't the .444 Marlin OAL about 3"?

[Clemson]

If it were simple, you can bet your bippy that the manufacturers would have done it originally. I suspect that the additional action length required just requires a stretch that cannot be achieved in the envelope available.

For what it's worth, I have a .410 pump that takes either 2 1/2 inch or 3 inch shells. I find that I very rarely use the 3" ammunition. Basically, I reach for my 20 gauge if I am doing something that requires any more shot than I get in a 2 1/2 inch load. For skeet and sporting clays, the 2 1/2 inch AA's are fine.

Clemson

[Okiecruffler]

My dad is a huge fan of the 410, used one thru most of his hunting years, but he never used the 3 inch shells, he said they always gave a real scattered pattern compaired to the shorter shell.

FWIW, my .444 reloads run right at 2.6 inches. Not sure what the 45-70's run but I don't think it's much longer if any. I'm guessing the reciever is just too short for 3 inchers.