Thoughts and opinions on 2 3/4 slugs vs 3 inch

[cyanide66]

So i have been thinking more about what i actually want in my shotgun for combat shooting. i think that in the tube i want 2 3/4 00 buckshot, going with 2 3/4 so i can hold an extra round. For my side saddle i want to put 3 inch slugs. im thinking 3 inch slugs are the best because i'm only using them when i need to pop out a buckshot and put a slug in for a longer distance shot, so it wont affect my round count to have a 3 inch. So for my plans i see no downfall in going with 3 inch slugs, any thoughts or opinions on this so i can improve on what i'm doing? thanks.

 

[Fred Fuller]

i see no downfall in going with 3 inch slugs

Shoot a box or two of 3" maggie numb slugs at one sitting and get back to me on that.

IMHO there is no downside to 2.75" slugs in a smoothbore gun. I shoot Brenneke KOs, the non-sabot full velocity version, and have for several years now. If I were going to take on 800 pound bears, then I would consider a superhard 3" slug, sure. But for thin skinned light boned varmints in the 150-250 pound range, a 2.75" KO will do anything that needs to be done, IF you will stick it where it needs to go. And I for sure wouldn't waste my time with a soft lead Foster type slug, 2.75" or 3". Slugs in a defensive gun are there for two purposes, IMHO - adding range if needed, and turning cover into concealment. A soft lead slug won't penetrate enough to do that.

JMHO,YMMV,

lpl

 

[bigalexe]

If you can't knock down your target with a 2 3/4" slug I'd wonder what you were shooting at!

Point being that slugs are huge, outside of maybe an elephant or a Yeti that is on methamphetamine I don't think there are many things that a 2 3/4" won't take care of just fine.

 

[Rshooter]

I used to load my defensive gun with 3" slugs. One afternoon I put about 5 boxes down range. As Lee says, you will change your mind. It also makes for faster follow up shots if necessary.

 

[bubba in ca]

Pop theory is that for HD slugs are for long distance. While that may work on some properties, on mine I have no likely shot more than the 40 meters that le132 will handle, so it is a non-issue to me. I do keep some slugs on hand but for a different reason--penetration, such as if the perp is behind something equivalent to a car door. Even then, the hardness of the lead would probably be much more important than the size of the shell.

 

[RaceM]

Wayull, instead of theorizing, why not do some real world testing? Blast holes in car doors, mock house walls/doors, etc. If the 2 3/4 slugs will get it done, no need for the threes. If neither does what you need, up the game to solid slugs instead of Fosters.

 

[Dave McCracken]

2 3/4" KO Brenekkes usually exit on broadside shots on MD whitetails.

I've had 36" of penetration with 2 3/4" Rottweil Brenekkes on similar deer.

I really doubt 3" versions would haver shortened the blood trails.

 

[Gordon]

I HAVE used 2 3/4" Rotweil Brennekes sucessfully on Eastern White Tail deer for many years.
I WOULD use hard 3" slugs if in big bear country and a SG was "it".
I DO use and like Managed Recoil Remington LE 2 3/4" slugs for SD and HD, heck maybe for CQB!

 

[cyanide66]

Thanks for all the info everyone, lots of good input . And as someone said, i really do need to go practice more with my system. ^_^

 

[Navy_Guns]

Not to jump into the terminal ballistics side of this discussion, but I found a big difference in 2 3/4" versus 3" loads in accuracy. This was specifically in an H&R rifled UltraHunter with a 3" chamber using Lyman slug handloads. The 3" loads gave me much tighter groups at 100 yards than the 2 3/4" loads. I suspect the longer unsupported jump to the throat/rifling was the issue with the shorter hulls.