2 and 2.5 inch 12 Ga shells.

I bought a "project" 12 Ga Mossberg pump from Joe S a few weeks ago. I'd hoped to be able to put an extension tube on it. But since it had a vented rib barrel where the mag tube is welded to the vent rib...it was a no go unless I wanted to completely replace the barrel.

Since I got this for a home defense rig I told Billy to cut the 28 inch barrel down to 18.5 and to Green and Black T the shotgun. Since I want max ammo capacity one thing Billy suggested was to just load it with small 2 inch or 2.5 inch shot gun shells. Sounded like a good idea.

If it will hold (5) 3 inch shells..a little math tells me it might hold (7) 2 inch #6 shot. A side benefit is that I'd bet it will shoot pretty soft as well.

What do ya'll think of the idea?

More later when I get the gun back

I have heard the aguila 2 inch shells didnt have much pop. If you cant handle it with 6 2 and 3/4s then you are in a bad situation.

If your interested in 2 1/2 these guys make some good stuff.

https://www.bandpusa.com/Shopping/index.php?cPath=65

i like the biggest shell possible.
bigger shell= more powder, more lead flying towards Bad Guy.

just some food for thought.

well its the ole a few big shells and power vs lots of little
ones...

One other thing you gotta keep in mind...Its a home defense gun...so you might shoot it inside your house...noise matters

There won't be any cycling issues since its a pump action gun

Just pointing out another way that is usually not thought of.

The 2 inch shells I'm looking at are made for old English shot guns and I have no doubts they will work for my stated purpose

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=766772

Less noise...less recoil...more firepower....Just thinking outside the box a bit

Neck aguila reccomends using the winchester I sold you for their short shells.

OK stupid question...any reason you can't shoot 2 inch or 2.5 inch shells in a shotgun chambered for 3 inch shells?

msredneck wrote:OK stupid question...any reason you can't shoot 2 inch or 2.5 inch shells in a shotgun chambered for 3 inch shells?

No reason you cant but it may not feed properly or pattern well.

Heres you some thought 'neck. Statistically thinking, How many in home gun battles required more than 5 shots. I'll bet the percentage is very slim.
Get a side saddle and they are there ready to load if needed.
I want my first shot to drop BG and fire no more if in situation. I will be reloading when not shooting and I would think 10 should be more than enough. We can't shoot "fleeing" felons you know. It ain't justified in somebodies eyes (blinder wearing fools i suppose) What targets aren't dropped are surely going to be leaving scene in a big hurry you know.
Just food for thought.

Also a shotgun slug has the best 1st shot kill ratio than any other round used by police and civilians. So in theory you should only need to connect with one shot per attacker.

i like big shells. but i would test the small shells. i am pretty sure they will work. i shoot 2 and 3/4 shells out of my shotguns all the time. a little less recoil might benefit you more for you purpose.

I have to consider the penetration issue first. After that comes functioning in my weapon of choice. Then and only then so I get into the pellet size power debate.

If there is a chance your wife might have to deploy this weapon I'd lean towrd shells that she can comfortably fire. She doesn't need to flinch or jerk in a situation like that. Smaller shells might be the answer.

Ok here are the real issues...

#1 Maybe my wife and daughter would be the primary users of the shot gun...

ever had your wife shoot that big 12 Ga 3.5 inch turkey gun?....let me know how it went...

#2...Over penetration in a home is a real issue...You don't need a whole lot of zip to get the job done

#3 Kinda goes back to #1...in the hands of folks less used to a shot gun a few more shots might be real handy....and in the mag is less reload time than in a side saddle

I could have solved the problem with a Rem 870 youth model in 20 Ga....but this seemed a more interesting way to solve it....Read the link provided below...it might just make you re-think the need for those big ole shells

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_6_48/ai_85472055/

4. Less recoil means less wear and tear on your women folks...and maybe they will practice more with it

Aint saying I'm right.....just another way of looking at things


I'll get a few 2 inch shells and give ya'll a range report in a few weeks when I get the gun back after being cut down...

I've read several places that patterns on 2 inch and 2.5 inch shells are not much diff if any than there 2 3/4 or 3 in counterparts....just a bit less powder and shot

My winchester 120 Ranger loves the little Agulia shells. And the slugs have some serious punch. the 7 1/2s are ok might be a good snake load.

The 120 ranger stays loaded with 1 2.75 00buck and the rest are little slugs.

http://www.the-armory.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/12_GA_%20Mini-Slug.html

forget 2 inch shells