I have no prior experience with shotguns whatsoever besides a few practice shots with a loaner. I did read some theory.
I just bought myself a Mossberg 590 and a couple of boxes of Federal Low-Recoil 00 Buckshot as a defensive load - the only brand they had at the moment in that size.
I also got some cheap birdshot for practice (Estate?).
When I tried loading, I could not fit 8 shells into the tube. The 8th shell would protrude just a tiny bit beyong the spring thingies holding the shells in.
Upon close examination, I discovered that the Federal shells are about 1/16 of an inch longer than nominal 2 3/4 inches. The birdshot shells are the right size.
Can you comment on that? How common is such variation in size? Is it different from brand to brand? From lot to lot? Should I measure the shells I buy?
What ammo would you recommend for defense, practice and so on?
Anything else I should know about owning a shotgun?
[EDIT]Specifically, what defensive ammo (00-Buck or whatever you use) does measure 2 3/4 inch?[/EDIT]
miko
I just bought myself a Mossberg 590 and a couple of boxes of Federal Low-Recoil 00 Buckshot as a defensive load - the only brand they had at the moment in that size.
I also got some cheap birdshot for practice (Estate?).
When I tried loading, I could not fit 8 shells into the tube. The 8th shell would protrude just a tiny bit beyong the spring thingies holding the shells in.
Upon close examination, I discovered that the Federal shells are about 1/16 of an inch longer than nominal 2 3/4 inches. The birdshot shells are the right size.
Can you comment on that? How common is such variation in size? Is it different from brand to brand? From lot to lot? Should I measure the shells I buy?
What ammo would you recommend for defense, practice and so on?
Anything else I should know about owning a shotgun?
[EDIT]Specifically, what defensive ammo (00-Buck or whatever you use) does measure 2 3/4 inch?[/EDIT]
miko
Last edited: