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

[Duke of Lawnchair]

2-3/4" 00Buck for me. Federal LE133-00 or 132-00 to be exact.

With the 2-3/4" loadings out there, I see no need to go "bigger" for a 25yd (maximum) shot on my property. Also, I'm relying on my training and shot placement to come into play if the need ever were to arise.

My fiance (future wife come August 2005) also needs to be able to effectively shoot these guns as well.

-Jim

 

[mjolnir]

Let's say you've got something like a Remington 870 with extended mag...7 in the mag +1 in the chamber capacity:

3" 00 buck (15 pellets/shell): 6+1 shells fit, delivering 105 pellets.
2.75" 00 buck mag (12 pellets/shell): 7+1 deliver 96 pellets.
2.75" 00 buck (9 pellets/shell): 7+1 deliver 72 pellets.

So even though you have one less shell with 3", you've still got 9 more pellets overall than with 2.75" mags, the equivalent of an extra 2 3/4" shell, and 33 more than standard 2.75" !!

Of course the reward for buying the 3" ticket is that you win the recoil lottery....though the payoff is not for 20 years, it might feel like it at the time.