Can I shoot 2 1/2" shells from 20ga 2 3/4"

[rdfact]

I'm a shotgun newb and I recently got a lightly used Remington 870 Express magnum for next to nothing. It's a 20GA, barrel is stamped "for 2 3/4" or 3".
I was at Bass Pro and they had Federal Target loads for $5 a box of 25 so I bought a bunch of 2 3/4" shells. I mistakenly grabbed some 2 1/2" shells that were behind the 2 3/4".
Can I shoot these shorter 2 1/2" shells in this shotgun?
Thanks.

[AAShooter]

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/archive/index.php/t-549084.html

[rdfact]

^^ Thanks.

[ysr_racer]

I've never seen a 2.5 shell. What is it?

[Thefeeder]

><

You probably bought 2 1/2 dram and are mistaken the # to be length. In 45 years I have never seen 2 1/2 " 20ga shells

Or you bought 410ga 2 1/2 " shells

Read your box top carefully

[rdfact]

You probably bought 2 1/2 dram and are mistaken the # to be length. In 45 years I have never seen 2 1/2 " 20ga shells



Or you bought 410ga 2 1/2 " shells



Read your box top carefully

Yes, the 2 1/2 is the dram equivalent. I didn't look close enough. They are 2 3/4".

[Thefeeder]

><

To answer your original question....yes, you can shoot 2 1/2" in a gun marked 2 3/4" or 3"....you can shoot any shell shorter then what is marked on the barrel.

You can NOT shoot any shell longer then what is marked on the barrel.

Congrats on the good buy....enjoy the learning to shoot a shotgun....clays are soooo much fun