3-1/2" 12ga question

[Zundfolge]

Can you shoot 2-3/4" and 3" shells out of a 3-1/2" chambered semi-auto 12ga?

I often see ads for guns with 3" chambers and they usually point out you can use 2-3/4" and 3" shells in those guns, but when I see ads for the 3-1/2" guns there is no mention of other sized shells.

 

[Robert]

I believe so though I am no expert. I don't see why not.

 

[sbarkowski]

3.5" chamber will shoot 3" and 2.75" shells.
Just a side note. the 870 I had was NOT a supermag but the barrel was stamped to accept 3.5" shells. But that could only be done when mounted to a supermag reciever. I assume it saves money opposed to producing several differently chambered barrels.

 

[earlthegoat2]

As a general rule a 3.5 in semi auto will have a hard time cycling light 2.75 in shells. Sometimes they wont even cycle heavy 2.75s. As another general rule the gas operated semis have better reliability with the lighter loads than the recoil operated.

A semi auto 3.5 in gun can and will shoot the smaller shells though but they may not cycle correctly.

 

[MCgunner]

Under 500 bucks at Academy....

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/SPR_models/SPR453_autoloader.asp

 

[Pete409]

Yes, you can safely shoot 2 3/4" and 3" shells out of a 3 1/2" chambered gun, but they may not operate a semi-auto properly. If it's a pump action, it shouldn't be a problem with operation for the next shot.

 

[rcmodel]

Unless you are a duck & goose hunter, forced to shoot steel shot, there is not much good reason for a 3 1/2" gun anyway.

Just a longer action you are not going to use for normal shooting 99% of the time.

rcmodel

 

[gifters]

I have to say, you know when you pull the trigger with a 3 1/2" shell.

 

[exflatlander]

A have a 3.5" Benelli Nova pump that has functioned will all 3 sizes

 

[JImbothefiveth]

they may not operate a semi-auto properly.

The force of the flinch I have from shooting 12 gauge supermagnum loads cycles the action.

 

[Zundfolge]

Unless you are a duck & goose hunter, forced to shoot steel shot, there is not much good reason for a 3 1/2" gun anyway.

I guess that's kind of the point. If I get a duck/goose gun, I don't want to have to spend the big bucks when I shoot clays with it.

3-1/2" ammo is pretty darn expensive to be wasting on clay pigeons.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I hate to break it to you but there is no such thing as a duck/goose gun chambered for 3 1/2s that will also function as a clays gun.

You better go with the 3in model and use hevi shot for the fowl.

 

[sbarkowski]

Earlthegoat2, Im guessing your talking about autoloaders?

 

[earlthegoat2]

Yes, sorry about that.

Auto shotguns in 3 1/2in are not good for any kind of skeet or clays.

 

[Zundfolge]

Auto shotguns in 3 1/2in are not good for any kind of skeet or clays.

If they are capable of cycling 2-3/4" shells what would make them "not good for any kind of skeet or clays"?

 

[earlthegoat2]

OK, if can cycle the 2.75s then it would be OK but not IDEAL for clays

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

I hate to break it to you but there is no such thing as a duck/goose gun chambered for 3 1/2s that will also function as a clays gun.

Except possibly the Rem SPR linked to by MCGunner - says it has an adjustable gas system, so it functions with anything. That's the allegation, anyhow.

 

[BP44]

As a general rule a 3.5 in semi auto will have a hard time cycling light 2.75 in shells. Sometimes they wont even cycle heavy 2.75s. As another general rule the gas operated semis have better reliability with the lighter loads than the recoil operated.

A semi auto 3.5 in gun can and will shoot the smaller shells though but they may not cycle correctly.

I use 3.5'' for geese 3'' for ducks and have burned over 800 rds of cheap walmart 2.75'' out of my recoil operated ''inetria driven'' benelli SBEII and the only bobble it had was with a 3.5'' turkey load, cant say i blame it i dont like to shoot them either

 

[sbarkowski]

PremiumSauces, friend has Baikal 453 and yes, once broken in it does cycle the light loads also. Not the winchester value packs but the Winchester AA just fine.

 

[MCgunner]

3.5 could be useful to the turkey hunter, too.

I don't really care about clays, myself, since I don't regularly shoot clays and I'm not serious about it when I do. But, I do have lighter guns on rare occasions that I do. The problem with waterfowl guns that shoot 3.5" is they're heavy and don't point or change directions very quickly. Don't mean you can't go out and bust a few informal clays with 'em, though.

I've got a friend that shoots a 835 ultimag for about everything, doves to geese. Well, this year he bought a 10 gauge Browning BPS for geese, but I mean, he has all these shotguns an only ever uses the 835. He has four or five 870s, a couple of 500s, two old slamfire Ithacas, among other pumps.

 

[JohnBT]

I have a 2003 Winchester SX-2 Waterfowl, a 3.5" gun, and it will shoot 1-ounce shells just fine. This comes to mind for example:

"Fiocchi Premium Target 12TL, 12 Gauge, 2 3/4", 1 oz, 1150 fps, #8"

www.ableammo.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=89228


I've never tried a 3.5" shell in it, but it's a great duck gun anyway. I really like the Dura-Touch non-slip coating on the stock.


A Win SX-2 Waterfowl 3.5" weighs 7.5 pounds.

Beretta says their 391 Parallel Target autoloader weighs 7.3 pounds.


John

 

[tango2echo]

I've got several different 12ga 3.5" guns. ALL SHOOT 2.75-3.5" shells. ALL will function with everything from light trap loads to the heaviest turkey loads.

That said, there's not much need for a 3.5" shell.

T2E