Is The 2-3/4" Slug Here To Stay?

[fiddleharp]

Or, is it likely to become obsolete as the 3 and 3-1/2" becomes more and more popular?
The reason I ask, is because I'm about to buy an old Ithaca 37 Deerslayer with a 2-3/4" chamber and am wondering if slugs in that length will remain available.
Does anyone know if any ammo manufacturers have been dropping their 2/34" slugs in favor of the larger ones?

 

[Snarlingiron]

Where did you get the idea that 3" and 3 1/2" slugs are getting more popular?

The only circumstance in which I could envision 2 3/4" slugs becoming unavailable is if Uncle Barack decides to legislate them away.

 

[Jeff F]

I think theres way more of the 2 3/4 inch slug and buckshot loads sold and used then the 3 inch, even in the 3 inch shotguns. Its not going anywhere.

 

[jack the toad]

IMO, as long as we have slugs, we'll have the 2-3/4".

 

[45Badger]

In slugs, I do not see ANY extra value in 3-3.5" shells. Turkey and waterfowl loads are a different story.

Slightly longer range "flat" shooting is possible, but IMO practical accuracy is degraded by more recoil. Not at all worth the trade off.

I'm sure someone will step up and tell us how they cleanly and routinely take whitetails at 175 yards using 3.5" cannon shells. Since 90% of deer I see (and have taken) are within 100 yards, what's the point of subjecting yourself to the increased smack?

That ounce of lead propelled out of a 2.75" shell does just fine. I don't think they'll be obsolete anytime soon. Kinda like the 1911

 

[rbernie]

I do not know anyone that shoots 3" or 3.5" slugs. They are simply too uncomfortable in recoil, and the practical accuracy of most shotguns limits their real utility anyway.

I would imagine that the sales figures for 2 3/4" slugs vastly outstrips, by an order of magnitude, the sales figures for 3" and 3.5" slugs combined.

 

[sbarkowski]

I live in northern Canada and Its damn near impossible to find 3 inch slugs or 3.5 inch shells at all. Very limited selection. The only 3.5 inch shells you can get locally are those new Black Cloud shells by Federal i think. If they got rid of the 2.75 we'd all be screwed.

 

[Rshooter]

Way too many 2 3/4 inch guns out there. I don't know about the others but I just bought a Wingmaster made in 55 or so that looks and handles better than any new gun made today. It's got at least another half century left in it.

 

[rcmodel]

Already well covered, but:

As long as there are 12 ga shotguns, there will be 2 3/4" shells in all standard loadings for them.

It is the standard length 12 ga shell, and always will be.

The only real reason for there even being 3" & 3 1/2" shells is due to Federal Waterfowl regulations requireing steel or other non-toxic shot. Steel is lighter then lead, and the 2 3/4" didn't hold enough of it.

rcmodel

 

[PTK]

Out of thousands of 12ga shells I've fired, less than 100 have been anything but 2 3/4". Most of those were Aguila mini-shells, perhaps 20 being 3" shells. I just don't see a need.

 

[Jeff F]

If I was going where there was the possibility of a bear encounter with a brown or grizzly I would move up to the 3 inch magnum Brenneke slugs.

 

[rcmodel]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=5109637&postcount=4

rcmodel

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

I'm struggling to understand why you think 2 3/4" wouldn't stick around as long as anything...

It is here to stay. It is the standard and most popular of all 12ga loads...

 

[earlthegoat2]

Uhhhhh, thats all I got.

Even if we are talking 20 gauges there is still an overwhelming need for 2 3/4 shells. Shoot a 12ga is with 2.75s is overkill for most scenarios. We need to go back to the 2 1/2s.

 

[Dave McCracken]

2 3/4" slugs will be around for a long while.

They work.

 

[dispatch55126]

I use the 3" Brenneke Gold Magnums because they are the most accurate out of my rifled barrel. Beyond that, 2 3/4" is here to stay

 

[Birdhunter1]

In my opinion as long as people are trying the 3" and 3 1/2" slugs then the market will be forced to keep manufacturing the 2 3/4" slugs. If you disagree with me then go grab an 870 and shoot a 3" or 3 1/2" slug and try sighting in with it, then come back on here and give us a report.

I purposely sold my 870 hastings paradox 12 gauge barrel due to the brutal recoil and went with an H&R 20 gauge Ultra slug hunter.

 

[Sunray]

I'd almost bet serious money that there are far more 2.75" chambered shotguns out there than there'll ever be 3" or 3.5" chambers.