[TrucksNCoffee]

A 12 gauge pump-action shotgun has become my primary long-gun home and truck defense weapon of choice. It's chambered for both 2-3/4 inch and 3 inch rounds. Are there any real-life advantages to using 3 inch shells over their "vertically challenged" brothers for these purposes?

The disadvantages seem obvious: reduced capacity within the magazine tube , increased cost-per-round, and increased recoil. I don't live in bear country - the biggest dangers in my area are venomous snakes and rabid four-legged vermin; also the occasional (but increasing in numbers) two-legged vermin one hears about on the morning and evening news.

It seems that, for me, 2 3/4 inch ammo is sufficient unto the day for the evil thereof. (I am considering buying an adapter and stocking up on mini-shells, but I haven't decided yet.) I have a five round box of 3 inch 12 gauge from somewhere in the distant past, but I can't think of a reason to buy more of them unless Ursus arctos, or hordes of 400 pound feral swine, decide to invade the Oklahoma City metro area.

Any thoughts on 2.75 vs 3 inch shotgun ammunition for home defense and truck gun purposes? (Also, please note that the shotgun does not mean I don't carry a pistol at all times.)

 

[RogueTS1]

Usually a bit more powder aka recoil and a few more pellets in the load. In our opinion, stick with the 2.75" shells for more capacity. Capacity is the only real draw back to the shottie so do everything you can to keep it fed.

 

[DeltaBravoKS]

If you could load 11 3" shells, you should be able to load 12 2.75" shells. I don't how many 11 round shotguns there are out there, so capacity doesn't seem to really be an issue. If you used a magazine feeder, it wouldn't matter either. I suppose at some point weight would be a factor. I'd say use whatever is cheaper. If you're using 2.75" shells, I suppose it would contribute to a longer lifespan for the gun.

 

[Jake3501]

Most LEOs use reduced recoil shells with only eight pellets of 00, for quick follow up shots and reduced recoil.

Early on, in my purchase of a Saiga 12, I got three inch 12 gauge in 00. I probably have at least 125 rounds of the 3" 00. I didn't shot any of them, but one day shot a round of a turkey load in #5 shot, 3" with a 1 7/8 ounce load. Ten rounds to a box, and since that one shot some 14 years ago, the box still has 9 rounds left, it was an unpleasant experience. I have about 250 rounds of 2 3/4 " 00 buckshot.

As my bones continue to add years, I bought a .410 Mossberg Shockwave. 2 1/2" shells only have three pellets of 000, where as the 3" shells have 5 pellets and fill a pattern a little better and with recoil not being bad, I opted to carry five 3" shells (one in the chamber) instead of 6 of the 2 1/2 shells. This is my truck gun in addition to the regular model 66 .357 mag.

 

[Echo40]

2-¾" Shells produce less flash, less report, and less recoil, while still being extremely effective, with one shot center mass being enough to stop most attackers dead in their tracks. Even with body armor on, the sheer blunt force trauma generated by a single center mass 2-¾" 12 Gauge shell loaded with 00 Buckshot is potentially lethal.

So yeah, there isn't much of a point in choosing 3" shells over 2-¾" shells unless it's for Grizzly bear defense or you're worried about being faced by some mutant or monster who will take a 2-¾ shell and keep on coming. Heck, even then, unless you're carrying a single shot, another 2-¾ shell would most likely stop whatever freak managed to withstand one shot.

 

[TrucksNCoffee]

Heck, even then, unless you're carrying a single shot, another 2-¾ shell would most likely stop whatever freak managed to withstand one shot.

I agree. Remington 870 holding 6+1 of 2-3/4" 00 buck should do the job. 👍
Now, if only I can find a rifled slug barrel for the right price. 😁

 

[Zen Ape]

Anything you are shooting at won't be able to tell the difference so long as the shot # is the same. Your shoulder and ears however, as well as the number of shells you can send without reloading, will. Short of putting more shot in the air for birds, or shooting at something that outweighs you substantially, stay clear of 3".

And now since we're on the subject of shotgun shells, here's something to entertain you.

 

[maloy]

Stay with 2-3/4". If 2-3/4 can't take care of the problem, then you needed Ma Duce from the start!

Maloy

 

[Divebum]

My opinion, and my opinion only. Shouldn't make a lot of difference. If you have an 870, that's 5 in the mag, 1 in the pipe with 2.75" rounds. If you are in a situation where you need more than that, then you have more pressing problems. My own choice for home defense is a coach gun in 12g. My back up is a 1911. I carry a .45 or 9 in the truck because moving a long gun around is a pain in the butt in high stress conditions - or any conditions for that matter. Considering most SD situations are less than 10 or 15 feet, any shotgun is going to give a bad guy a bad weekend. I guess I just don't see the issue.

 

[Doobie]

2 3/4 4-buck in my 1100 suits me just fine. If some dirtball decides to knock down my front door, I'ma feel real sorry for the mortician who has to put that puzzle back together.

 

[maloy]

For a pump gun my 870 is setup with a Carson's mag extention, Magpul furniture, and a Remchoke slug barrel. It is a 7+1 setup.

My Mossberg 590a1 is setup to use Remchokes with Magpul furniture and is a 8+1 setup.

The other is the 590S that can hold 12+1 Aguila mini slugs.

Maloy

 

[Zen Ape]

For a pump gun my 870 is setup with a Carson's mag extention, Magpul furniture, and a Remchoke slug barrel. It is a 7+1 setup.

My Mossberg 590a1 is setup to use Remchokes with Magpul furniture and is a 8+1 setup.

The other is the 590S that can hold 12+1 Aguila mini slugs.

Maloy

I've been thinking about "upgrading" to a 590S for just that reason. The ballistic reports I've seen on those Aguila mini shells are so close to their 2-3/4" brethren that the difference is minimal, yet the addition of that many more rounds is not.

 

[Echo40]

I agree. Remington 870 holding 6+1 of 2-3/4" 00 buck should do the job. 👍
Now, if only I can find a rifled slug barrel for the right price. 😁

I keep this baby at my bedside, loaded with Winchester Military Grade 12 Gauge 2-¾" 00 Buckshot Shells.

My Mossberg 590 Shockwave 12 Gauge FDE

• Echo40
• May 26, 2019

However, the option to load more powerful 3" shells provides versatility for a number of other potential self-defense scenarios...

Alaskan Wilderness Defense Loadout Concept

• Echo40
• Feb 9, 2022

Rothco Ramster SKK / Mossberg 590 Shockwave FDE / Brenneke Black Magic Magnum 12 Gauge Slugs

Zombie Apocalypse Dynamic Duo

• Echo40
• 2 mo ago

The Mossberg 590 Shockwave 12 Gauge Scattergun + KA-BAR Zomstro Cleaver.

Frankly, I'd feel perfectly confident loaded up with some of those Federal 1-¾" Mini Shells. They're roughly as powerful as .410 Shotshells, which I also trust for Home Defense and more.

Wilderness Defense Loadout Concept

• Echo40
• 8 mo ago

Schrade SCHF27 Extreme Survival Knife / Taurus 4510 Judge Magnum / ThruNite BSS V4

 

[kschilk]

I'd say it all depends on how dead you want your target to be. They'll be 1/4" deader if shot with a 3" shell vs a 2 3/4". Shot from a 3" shell will be 1/4" faster, will have an effective range of 1/4" inch farther, will kick 1/4" harder and will be 1/4" louder. If you shoot with earplugs, be sure to use the 1/4" longer ones for 3" shells to avoid 1/4 hearing loss or if you use muffs, use a size 1/4" bigger. A 2 3/4" load will work as well as a 3", if you just let them get 1/4" closer before you shoot. Basically, if a 2 3/4" shell won't stop it, a 3" won't either.

 

[maloy]

I've been thinking about "upgrading" to a 590S for just that reason. The ballistic reports I've seen on those Aguila mini shells are so close to their 2-3/4" brethren that the difference is minimal, yet the addition of that many more rounds is not.

The energy from those little slugs out does any 44 mag round and closer to .454.

Maloy

 

[TWS]

I never found 3" or +p to be worthwhile. Gave them both up years ago.

 

[Echo40]

I'd say it all depends on how dead you want your target to be. They'll be 1/4" deader if shot with a 3" shell vs a 2 3/4". Shot from a 3" shell will be 1/4" faster, will have an effective range of 1/4" inch farther, will kick 1/4" harder and will be 1/4" louder. If you shoot with earplugs, be sure to use the 1/4" longer ones for 3" shells to avoid 1/4 hearing loss or if you use muffs, use a size 1/4" bigger. A 2 3/4" load will work as well as a 3", if you just let them get 1/4" closer before you shoot. Basically, if a 2 3/4" shell won't stop it, a 3" won't either.

You know, on any other forum, this post would have received multiple replies by now with links to outlandish cases in which some freak of nature managed to take a blast of 12 Gauge 000 Buckshot to the torso yet kept on coming, as if such obvious headline makers were a common occurrence or otherwise that such cases served as a cautionary tale of why you should never load anything less than 3-½ Super Magnum or 10 Gauge shells into your defensive shotgun.

Because, you know... Surely whatever creatures can withstand a 2-¾" shell will succumb to a 3" shell, right?

Honestly, if you're worried about running into an attacker who can shrug off a 2-¾" shell, then you might as well start handloading your own 12 Gauge shells with Silver Buckshot and have your Shotgun fitted with an ultraviolet flashlight and a bayonet that has been engraved with Bible verses while you're at it.

 

[Devil in the Shade]

In the South where I live we use nothing but shotguns for Deer as well as just about anything else. I never use 3" shells. No need to IMO.
By the way here is my KISS home defense shotgun. (although I do own others)
Beretta 1200F, same platform as the 1201 used by military and police years ago. Simple design, few parts and extremely reliable. Cut the barrel down to 20" added a larger receiver bolt. Just ordered a Meadow creek mount for the vent rib to add a Red Dot.

Poor man's home defense shotgun. (Lol, paid about $200 from Kmart years ago)

 

[kschilk]

You know, on any other forum, this post would have received multiple replies by now with links to outlandish cases in which some freak of nature managed to take a blast of 12 Gauge 000 Buckshot to the torso yet kept on coming, as if such obvious headline makers were a common occurrence or otherwise that such cases served as a cautionary tale of why you should never load anything less than 3-½ Super Magnum or 10 Gauge shells into your defensive shotgun.

Because, you know... Surely whatever creatures can withstand a 2-¾" shell will succumb to a 3" shell, right?

Honestly, if you're worried about running into an attacker who can shrug off a 2-¾" shell, then you might as well start handloading your own 12 Gauge shells with Silver Buckshot and have your Shotgun fitted with an ultraviolet flashlight and a bayonet that has been engraved with Bible verses while you're at it.

I have wolfsbane & garlic hung on the gas tube of my TAR12, gonna' stick a crucifix on there too but I haven't been able to find one with a rail mount yet. I only have a five round mag, which is fine since I load it with 00 Buck for home defense. My house only has four walls to blow out so I'll still have one shell left. I should prob'ly get a 10-round mag for it. I'm not plannin' on stormin' any beaches or invading any small countries but I don't suppose those are things anyone really plans......they just sorta' come up from time to time. Hasn't happened with me yet so I'm prob'ly long overdue and really oughta' be prepared.

In all seriousness though, I wonder if there may be any mechanical advantage to using 2 3/4" shells in a semi-auto chambered for 3". Seems to me that, mechanically speaking, a 3" shell is pushing the limits on clearances throughout the entire cycle and would thusly increase the odds in terms of possible malfunctions. Is the extra bit of "ka-bang" worth uppin' the risk of a "click" or "ka-chunk"? No facts to back-up the theory but after closely watching the action working with the 2 3/4", I'm totally cool with havin' the extra room. I know they're made to "take" longer shells but myself, I just don't see the point in pushing it for no substantial gain. Besides, most 3" shells I've seen are turkey loads, like 8.5 shot.

 

[Jake3501]

With a tube fed magazine, it may be more difficult to thumb more rounds in the bottom if they are 3" if you are reloading on the fly than with the 2 3/4", maybe not. My .410 Mossberg Shockwave is something I would never attempt to reload on the fly with 3" shells as there isn't much extra room . I do carry the 2 1/2" shells to reload on the fly. When I load it initially with the 3" shells, I have the gun turned on it's back so I can see what I am doing.