2 3/4" vs 3" a very basic question

[Prophet-O-Doom]

I know I cannot shoot 3" shells in a barrel rated for 2 3/4" only; but can I shoot 2 3/4" shells in a barrel rated for 3"? Would this damage the gun/barrel at all?

 

[Ben Shepherd]

3" chambered guns should run 2 3/4 shells just fine.

 

[zinj]

No, shooting shorter shells is perfectly safe, although they may not generate enough energy to cycle some semi-automatic actions.

 

[bub8889]

No, you can shoot 2-3/4" in a 3" gun, in a 3-1/2" chamber you can shoot 2-3/4", 3". 3-1/2". The length on the barrel is the max. length you can saftely shoot.

 

[BozemanMT]

yes, it's ok
what everyone else said
bigger chambers are fine, smaller chambers are not ok

 

[Prophet-O-Doom]

Thanks!

 

[Zero_DgZ]

Note that a repeater (pump, semi, or what have you) may run into unexpected problems with short shells. Some 3 1/2" Uber-Duckhammer pump guns have lifters that don't feed 2 3/4" shells right, tending to flip them around and try to load them backwards or sideways or suchlike.

Other than that annoyance it's safe to shoot any shorter shell in a long chambered shotgun. Also note that unless you try really hard you can't chamber a 3" shell all the way in most 2 3/4" only chambers.

 

[zinj]

Actually that is not true. An unfired 3in shell is about the same length as a fired 2.75in round (2.75in, obviously). It will chamber fine, but the crimp will open into the forceing cone and drastically raise pressures.

 

[Zero_DgZ]

You could be right.

I've had 2 3/4" break-opens that wouldn't close right with a 3" shell inserted.

 

[zinj]

Are they older guns (like pre-30's?). If so, and they aren't marked 2.75in, it is possible that they have even shorter chambers (like 2 9/16th's). I obviously don't know the specifics, but it is a possiblity. Otherwise I can't find a reason why a 2.75in gun wouldn't close on a 3in shell.

 

[Oldnamvet]

Around here there are clerks in the sporting goods area telling people that for an 870 with slug barrel, you should ONLY use 3" slugs. Of course, that is all they had and they were about $4 more than the 2 3/4".