3" or 3.5" shells for self-defense Shotgun?

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I don't think so. Not enough to justify it really, you get higher pellet counts, but more recoil and louder noise, and in my 18.5" barrel significantly more flash. I haven't heard of many problems with 2 3/4" 00 buck.
 
The 3.5" shells have WAY too much recoil for defensive use. 3" would be more plausible, but nothing you shoot will be able to tell the difference between 2 3/4" and 3" at 25 feet or less.

I say stick with 2 3/4" shells.
 
There's a reason that law enforcement personnel overwhelmingly stick with 2¾" shells... they're a darn sight more controllable for repeat shots, and they tend to produce rather fewer shoulder injuries!
 
Not unless you need to defend against these:
velociraptor.jpg

:p
 
Nope. Even that Velociraptor will get stopped with dinky li'l 2 3/4" loads when employed by a trained hand.
 
For a defensive gun, no. The usual 2.75" shells are plenty for a purely defensive shotgun. Controllability for followup shots is important and that is more difficult with hard- kicking loads. Even the reduced recoil buck and slug loads are sufficient, no need to go for maggienumbs at down-the-hall range.

lpl/nc
 
Is there any reason for a 3" or even a 3.5" chamber for a self-defense shotgun?
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There is one good reason. It is on the gun you have at hand. Since most guns are sold with at least a 3" chamber, and the Nova's taking 3.5", there is no need to go out of your way to find a older 2-3/4 only chambered gun. Conversely, there is no need to go out of your way to find a larger chambered gun if you already have the 2-3/4 chambered gun. As for a debateble reason, suppose the mythical SHTF scenario arises and you are running from zombies or what ever, it would be handy to be able to use what ever ammo is available.
 
Many guns come with 3" chambers that will never see a 3" shell including high grade o/u target guns from Beretta and Perazzi. There is an ongoing debate among target shooters whether this matters. IMHO it doesn't.

For a predator control shotgun the 3" chamber might not be a bad option if you are in bear country but otherwise 2-3/4" will do just fine.

Paul
 
I know that in my 870 HD, the standard capacity for 2.75 rounds is 6+1 but drops to 5+1 when I use 3" magnums. I'd rather have that extra shot than argue whether or not I hit the guy hard enough with the first volley. 2.75 is more than enough. If you have ever fired into any informal targets (plywood, milk jugs, etc) you know what 2.75 00 buck can do before knocking it up to magnum loads.

Hope this helps.
 
In fact the reduced 00 loads available in 2 3/4" have been shown to work well for HD. So that's all that's needed.
 
My Homeland Security shotgun (Maverick 88) has the 3" chamber, so it is what it is. Those 3"Mag #4Buck loads make for a serious thumper on both ends...even with the extra lead in the stock mounting bolt cavity. I have tried a bunch of other loads, but those 3" Remmys work the best.

As to slugs though, the standard 2-3/4" 1OZ PMC brand do all I need with a slug.

The Win/Rem/Fed slugs were just all over the place.
 
but does anyone use the 3" or 3.5" length shells in their home defense shotgun?
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No. But I do have some 3" S&B 00 Buck handy. JIC 6 more pellets isnt a bad idea... Too be perfectly honest I just think the clear hulls look cool, and I actually enjoy firing them.
 
Feanaro, I'm not that old, though I feel that way sometimes.

FYI, REAL velociraptors ran about 6 feet from tip of nose to tip of tail, and they had long tails. Weight was less than 60 KG. Think of adolescent Rottweilers with claws hunting in packs. Fast, lethal and smart. 12 gauge slugs would be nigh perfect.

More to the point, one can recover from the kick of 2 3/4 shells faster than from the Maggie Numbs, and that means faster neutralization of multiple threats.

Do a couple timed drills with the barnburners, then the 2 3/4" stuff. The difference will be obvious....
 
Agree with all that has been stated in regard to staying with 2 3/4" shells.

Exception is for the .410 - 3" gives a bit more payload.

For some folks with special needs and handicaps the .410 is what they need/ use/ have. Some of these pattern the 3" #6 shot very well for the distance , and the tad more payload is a nice cushion. The #4, and #5 shot works well...then again these were "kinda" made up special. ;)

#2 shot ...umm...there is a reason they don't make a factory #2, load for the .410. :D

Now for the 28 ga using #2 shot is another story....

I "may have" done some research in regard to some things... :uhoh:
 
2 3/4 is plenty. Also in the case of my Mossberg 500 Persuader Cruiser you can get one extra round in the magazine. 7 instead of 6 but I doubt that I will ever need that many. Ghee officer I just shot through the door, WHAT DOOR :what:
 
I bought some 3" 00 buck at a funshow and are using it in my 590. Initially I thought it was 2-3/4 but the box was mismarked. I prefer more rounds vs. more shot myself.
 
I use 2 3/4" shells in my HD shotgun. The cons outweigh the pro in the case of using 3" shells.

Cons:
- They HURT!
- Takes more time for followup shots
- Less capacity than the 2 3/4" shells
- Possibility of overpenetration
- Dead is dead. Why hurt yourself in the process.

Pros:
- It'll hurt the badguy more?
 
12ga, definitly not, but for 20ga I do know of some people that use larger buckshot thats only available in the 3 inch shells(#2 buck I think?). Personally ill stick with 2 3/4 for 12 and 20ga, though if I ever use .410 for a defense I would consider bigger shells. I cant even imagine firing a 3 1/2 inch shell off at o dark thirty in the morning, while half asleep at some intruder. :what: It would probally give everyone in the neighborhood a heart attack, (including me)
 
The 3" 20 gauge as loaded by Federal with #2 buck is a good HD load, but only for people who are comfortable with the 2 3/4" 12 gauge load. It patterns the best of any buck in my Saiga, but if recoil were a problem, I would learn to live with the 2 3/4" shells loaded with #3 buck.

In a modern 12 gauge, the 2 3/4" shells provide all the excitement that anyone needs.

I did know a fellow once who used a 10 gauge for a bedroom gun. Just the sight of that gaping muzzle should have stopped any one.
 
t patterns the best of any buck in my Saiga, but if recoil were a problem, I would learn to live with the 2 3/4" shells loaded with #3 buck
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grendelbane - thanks, thats what I meant to say about the 3 inch 20ga shells, patterns well, but kicks like a 12ga.

I would think it would be a good load for the saiga 20(or any semi) if you want buck, or if you wanted the lighter and smaller weight 20ga for carrying, but wanted a heavier defensive load in the gun. Other than that, Im sticking with 2 3/4 shells
 
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