the bigger, the better?

[ThE_LoNgShOt]

my new HD shotgun will accept 3 1/2" shells, but I'm not sure I'd ever use them. I'm sure these would be great for hunting geese where you're taking some really long shots, but for home defense? I'd rather shoot low recoil 2 3/4 inch 00 buck and have an extra two shells in the gun. so am I looking at it the wrong way? anyone want to make a case for 3" + shells for HD?

[CK_32]

I think anything over 2 3/4" for HD is such over kill if oh want power shoot standard slugs or 00 you'll be fine.

My thing is for HD take advice from people but don't ever rely on a load or bullet you havnt shot a few times through your HD weapon. Most important thig is being 1000% sure it's going to work.

And id say after shooting a 3 1/2" even a 3" with out hearing protection at the range a few times you'll get your answer if it's a good thing for HD load..

[BigDogatPlay]

anyone want to make a case for 3" + shells for HD?

There's no reason to make a case for them, IMO. The payload and powder charge of 2 3/4 inch shells should be plenty sufficient in most any HD scenario if the guy behind the gun does his job.

While the longer shells carry more payload and at higher velocities, the trade offs in magazine capacity, recoil and muzzle flash aren't worth it, again IMO.

[Kodemonkey]

From my understanding 00 buck in

Federal low recoil 2 3/4 = 9 pellets 1145 fps
remington express 3" = 15 pellets at 1225 fps
Winchester 3.5" = 15 pellets at 1450 fps

So the 3" is close to the same velocity but more pellets. May not be a bad choice.

For my HD, its the Federal low recoil in 2 3/4. I think 9 pellets will certainly do the job if I hit center mass.

[BigDogatPlay]

So the 3" is close to the same velocity but more pellets. May not be a bad choice.

The force required to get those six additional pellets worth of mass moving 80 more FPS over the less mass of the managed recoil ammo is actually significant.

[RuskieShooter]

My shoulder is still sore...

I'd rather shoot low recoil 2 3/4 inch 00 buck and have an extra two shells in the gun. so am I looking at it the wrong way? anyone want to make a case for 3" + shells for HD?

Funny you should ask...

I was considering moving up from 2 3/4 to 3" 00 buck in my home defense Mossberg 590 (with ATI Scorpion pistol grip and collapsible stock). I went to the range on Sunday and put 15 rounds of Remington Express 3" 00 bucks down range to get a feel for it.

When I got home I reloaded it with 2 3/4....

-Ruskie

[bsg]

2 3/4 inch buckshot is all you'll need for HD. i prefer to have the extra magazine capacity and less recoil in a defensive duty shotgun.

[intensefab]

Load it with 3 1/2 magnum loads, that will fix the problem!!!

[Sicarius]

2 3/4 may be overkill as it is seeing its penitration on typical house construction. I would rather have the magazine capacity too...
Kevin

[ThE_LoNgShOt]

Funny you should ask...

I was considering moving up from 2 3/4 to 3" 00 buck in my home defense Mossberg 590 (with ATI Scorpion pistol grip and collapsible stock). I went to the range on Sunday and put 15 rounds of Remington Express 3" 00 bucks down range to get a feel for it.

When I got home I reloaded it with 2 3/4....

-Ruskie

haha.... overkill??

[CasperSYTFU]

3" kick like a mother compared to 2 3/4".

Forget about 3 1/2"! Poor shoulder/eyes/ears!

[RuskieShooter]

haha.... overkill??

Very much so. Its Tuesday and my shoulder is still a little bit sore.

-Ruskie