Are there 3" shotgun NON-Magnum shells?

[leadcounsel]

So, I bought a Charles Daly shotgun that accepts 2.75" and 3" shells. I want to use 3" shells (slugs). Problem is I'm not sure if there are 3" non-magnum shells, or if all 3" shells are Magnums...

What's the factual answer?

 

[ArmedBear]

3" = Magnum

Very old name. Often just called 3" nowadays. Pre-dates steel shot loads, or at least commonplace steel shot. Early 3" shells carried heavy loads of lead.

I believe "Magnum", first used for the .357 Magnum, came from the name for a large wine bottle. Apparently D. B. Wesson was a connoisseur of wine, and when they were looking for a name, that was his choice. Now, of course, most Americans think of "Magnum" as powerful ammunition first, and a wine bottle second, thanks to Clint Eastwood no doubt. Somewhere along the way, it seems like EVERY new cartridge that came out was called Magnum, from 3" shotshells to Weatherby's high-velocity rounds. The .375 H&H Magnum pre-dates all of these rounds, but it was originally called the ".375 Belted Rimless Nitro-Express".

At this point, what does Magnum mean, anyway? .32 H&R Magnum? .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire?

 

[MisterHappy]

It will take any shell, 3" or less.

MORE POWER is always something to aspire to, so Magnum = bigger bang.

Use it with 3" slugs, and "regular" ammo for the rest.

 

[chas08]

I want to use 3" shells (slugs).

What on earth for? Unless you're just into pain, 2 3/4" slugs are more than adequate for anything. Not to mention more widely available and cheaper.

 

[green country shooter]

I thought 3" or magnum shells just had more shot, not that they were hotter.

 

[Cosmik de Bris]

I thought 3" or magnum shells just had more shot, not that they were hotter.

Yes.

 

[IndianaBoy]

I thought 3" or magnum shells just had more shot, not that they were hotter.

Heavier payload at the same velocity = hotter. At least in terms of recoil!

 

[ArmedBear]

They require slower powder, and more of it, too -- just like, say, .357 Magnum vs. .38 Special.

same payload, higher velocity = hotter
heavier payload, same velocity = hotter

Same difference, as they say.

 

[opie4386]

well if magnums have more shot then would they be adequate for a HD round in 00 or 000 buck?

 

[ArmedBear]

I'd say they're undesirable. If 9 00 pellets don't stop your attacker, you want a second shot without the excessive recoil, blast, or muzzle rise of a 3" shell.

 

[oneounceload]

MORE POWER is always something to aspire to, so Magnum = bigger bang.

Not necessarily true. Accuracy plays a slightly more vital role than power - if you can;t hit what you're trying to hit, how fast it's going matters not.

 

[rcmodel]

2 3/4" 00 buck has proven itself time & time again for over a century, as the best compromise between controllability and excessive recoil. The military uses them, and the cops use them.
If 3" Mag were better, they would use them instead.

IMO: A 3" Mag Buckshot load might be useful for deer hunting, but never for SD or HD use.
It simply isn't needed to get the job done, with the least recoil & faster follow-up shots.
And possibly one more round in the magazine.

rc

 

[Youngster]

Longer rounds are more difficult to load in a hurry too, with 3" chambered guns the extra length of a 3" shell is enough to make getting them into a typical loading or ejection port a bit trickier than with a 2.75"er.