Are 2 1/2 in shells safe for a barrel chambered for 2 3/4 in and 3 in shells??

Hey everyone,

I have a question concerning shotgun ammo: Will a 20 gauge shotgun chambered for 2 3/4 in. and 3 in. also shoot 2 1/2 in. shot shells? Are 2 1/2 in. shells safe to use for such a barrel? Are 2 1/2 in shells dangerous in a 2 3/4 and 3 in barrel?

Would someone with this knowledge please share it with me?


God bless

Note: I have been told (and am under the impression) that as long as the chamber is greater in number than the shell length --> everything is good/safe

You can shoot them all in a barrel marked for 3" shells.

Where did you find 2 1/2 shells??

grnyammer wrote:Where did you find 2 1/2 shells??

That was going to be my question????

Yes - shoot everything up to 3" in 3" chamber ...

I've seen some of those 2.5" shells on a couple of websites. I think they are marketed as reduced recoil close range shells. If you try them let us know how they work out. I've been tempted to try them myself.

I shoot 2.5 inch shells all the time. Shorter shells...less recoil...more ammo in the tube

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/25-rds-410-ga-2-1-2-buckshot-rounds.aspx?a=616411

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/winchester-pdx1-410-defense-ammo-10-rds-2-1-2.aspx?a=862809

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/25-rds-remington-express-long-range-loads-410-2-1-2.aspx?a=552935

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/winchester-super-x-slugs-410-ga-x41rs5-rifled-hp-2-1-2-1-5-ozs-5-rds.aspx?a=202724


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Tree of Liberty wrote:http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/25-rds-410-ga-2-1-2-buckshot-rounds.aspx?a=616411

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/winchester-pdx1-410-defense-ammo-10-rds-2-1-2.aspx?a=862809

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/25-rds-remington-express-long-range-loads-410-2-1-2.aspx?a=552935

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/winchester-super-x-slugs-410-ga-x41rs5-rifled-hp-2-1-2-1-5-ozs-5-rds.aspx?a=202724


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those are all 410s....thought 2.5" .410s were pretty common? Think the OP was talking about 12 or 20 gauge

A coworker of mine is into vintage side by sides and I know from talking to him that a lot of older double guns were originally chambered for 2 1/2" shells and won't chamber a 2 3/4" or will not do so safely.

I can't see where it would hurt to shoot the shorter shells in guns chambered for longer shells, other than I think the 2 1/2" shells are oddball and are most likely more expensive.

In a 3" chambered shotgun anything goes except 3 1/2" shells. the 2.5s don't seem practical for anything other than small birds like dove and quail. If anyone uses them for hunting, I'd like to know how they work and what you use them for.

Well let's see...as I said before....2.5 inch shells work great in a tactical shot gun....

It allows you to put more shells in the tube cause they are shorter...It also lets smaller individuals (read wife/teenage daughter) in your home to work that shotgun.

U don't need all that bad of a shot gun shell to make a big impression at 20 feet...

Do 2.5" shells cycle properly in an auto, an 1100 in my case?

Assuming yes, I'm thinking that, without a plug, an 1100 might hold an extra shell?

Doubtful
For home defense I go with 100% reliable....870 Pump with 18.5 inch barrel

2.5 inch shells were designed to be shot in Old English Doubles at game birds....

Bad guy still don't wanna get hit with one

If a gun will hold 5 three inch mags...that's 1/2 inch per shell x 5...so it would hold six....an extra shot might just make all the difference....

besides - like I said wife and kid can handle it ez'er....it works for me....might not be the best option for you.

To answer the question in the OP: YES. Now for the however... Some pump guns (870 in particular IIRC) and most semiautos (1100, Benelli, again IIRC) have to have the shell lifter modified in order to feed reliably. So if one is looking for an extra round or 2 for a HD shotgun one must weigh the reliability factor and necessity for modification against just using the standard 2 3/4" with the feed mechanism as it came from the factory. There are MANY "mini" (no pun intended) shells out there, they are not expensive compared to standard 2 3/4" shells - Aguila comes to mind, I'm sure there are others - but make sure they will feed in your shotgun before relying on them for HD.

flawless in my Rem 870 pumps...I have more than one...no issues

also never an issue in a Weatherby PA 459 pump

Personally I would NOT run em in a semi...I doubt they'd work well...Have not tried em in my semi's

I've been thinking about an 870. My 1100 is my only 12ga at the moment. We mostly shot winchesters in the corps but I preferred the handful of 870s we had. Being all I've ever hunted, with a shotgun, is rabbits all I keep on hand is 6s. I'd hate to get hit at ten feet with them. Of course I've never had a jam with my 1100. I replaced the "O" rings a few years ago.

Jarhead5811 wrote:I've been thinking about an 870. My 1100 is my only 12ga at the moment. We mostly shot winchesters in the corps but I preferred the handful of 870s we had. Being all I've ever hunted, with a shotgun, is rabbits all I keep on hand is 6s. I'd hate to get hit at ten feet with them. Of course I've never had a jam with my 1100. I replaced the "O" rings a few years ago.

totally love the 870s....problem is choosing which model of it you want!

WHOOPS!
I was confusing the "mini" (ie, 1 3/4" shells) with 2 1/2" shells. Tut mir leid, lo siento, mea culpa ... SORRY...