mini shot shell feeding?

[Vern56]

Have a new mossberg 930 on the way.
Anyone try/use those mini shot shells? Will they feed ok in a semi?
Pump gun?

 

[dfariswheel]

Almost always... NO.

First the mini-shells don't have enough power to operate a semi auto shotgun, and second, almost no pump or auto shotgun will reliably feed the mini-shells without being altered.

There's a kit that can be installed in a Mossberg 500 pump gun, but then the gun can't shoot standard length shells.
Some other pump guns can be modified to feed the short shells, but again can't feed standard shells.

One of the few shotguns that "usually" work with the mini shells are the Kel-Tec KSG and new KS7 bullpup guns.

Some pump guns "May" work with mini-shells but you have to shoot a good number to verify reliable operation.
A box of two isn't enough to be certain. You'll often run a fair number then have the next shell flip over backward.
Your probable best option on mini shells are the new Federal 1 3/4 inch mini shells. They offer a #8 birdshot, a slug, and a #4 buckshot. They say that the shells are full power, not the reduced shells that Aquila sells.
They still won't operate a semi auto.

A good possible option are the 2 1/4 inch Italian Noblesport 00 buck shot shells. These "might" operate some brands of semi auto.

 

[Sistema1927]

Winchester 1300 handles them just fine, or at least mine does.

Mossberg 500/590 with the addition of a $15 Op-Sol adapter that pops right out when you want to run longer shells.

I have a KS7, but it is on the way back to Kel-Tec for warranty repair. I didn't get a chance to try them in it yet, but reports seem to show that they work fine.

Single shots, double guns, coach guns, good to go as is.

And as has been mentioned, the Nobel Sports/Herters 2.25" shells seem to work in most pump guns. They give you an extra shell in the magazine (maybe more) and reduced recoil.

 

[GRIZ22]

I found the Herter's Mini Shells work 100% in any pump gun I've tried them in. They are longer than the Aquila but don't require an adapter. The 00 Buck holds 6 pellets. Anything hit with 6 pellets if 00 will swear it got hit by 9 pellets.

 

[tbob38]

I'm curious as to why you want to use the mini shells? They are more expensive than 2 3/4" shells as far as I can see. Maybe to increase magazine capacity?

 

[George P]

Having tried to fire them in a friend's KSG, they were a disappointment as there were a LOT of misfeeds by everyone who tried to shoot them. For grins and giggles at some cans, sure; but for defensive use? No thanks.

 

[herrwalther]

Honestly I don't see much purpose in a mini shell besides low recoil. A 2 3/4" shell with a limbsaver (or similar) will mitigate recoil with more useful loads over mini shells.

 

[George P]

And depending on the payload, they might not be that low recoiling. 1oz at the same velocity from the same gun will recoil the same regardless of the shell length.

 

[Riomouse911]

And depending on the payload, they might not be that low recoiling. 1oz at the same velocity from the same gun will recoil the same regardless of the shell length.

Darn! Sir Issac wins again!

 

[herrwalther]

And depending on the payload, they might not be that low recoiling. 1oz at the same velocity from the same gun will recoil the same regardless of the shell length.

Seeing the advertisements for mini shells, that was one of the selling points that came up. The other consistent selling point was smaller shells leads to more ammo in the tube.

 

[George P]

But, IME, and that of many friends, we had a LOT of feed issues - this was with one of the Keltec bullpup double mag guns. They might be nice in a svelte SxS or O/U in the field where you can carry more ammo in your pocket or vest, or for grins and giggles at a club; but no way would I use them for serious HD/SD work until I was absolutely sure they would feed 100% in any semi or pump gun. YMMV

 

[GunnyUSMC]

I put 60 rounds of Aguila mini shot shells through my Remington Tac-14. I did find that sometimes the shells would not fully eject when pumping fast. But I found that if I turned the gun to it's right side when pumping fast, everything worked fine.
I was shooting the Buckshot and the slugs. Recoil was much lighter then the LEO reduce recoil 2 3/4" Buckshot we shot.
My friend's 10 year old son had a blast shooting the Mini Shells.

 

[paulsj]

Herter's 2&1/4" 00 Bk work real well in my Joe Biden approved HD gun. Read on another forum Cabela's will no longer carry Herter's shell line, that is a shame.

 

[Sistema1927]

The Nobel Sport 2.25" is the same as the Herters.

 

[GRIZ22]

I'm curious as to why you want to use the mini shells? They are more expensive than 2 3/4" shells as far as I can see. Maybe to increase magazine capacity?

Lower recoil makes a TAC-14 or Shockwave much more controllable. It also works in a pump or break action shotgun.

 

[George P]

Lower recoil makes a TAC-14 or Shockwave much more controllable. It also works in a pump or break action shotgun.

They would only be lower recoil because they have a lower payload and lower velocity which has nothing to do with the shell length. If the velocity and payload are the same as a 2-3/4" shell, then the recoil will be the same.

 

[Bama59]

I fired a few Aquila mini slugs with Moss 500 yesterday but the Opsol mini clip would slip out

 

[Sistema1927]

I fired a few Aquila mini slugs with Moss 500 yesterday but the Opsol mini clip would slip out

Do you have a real OpSol? There are some counterfeits out there, as seen on the OpSol website.

Minse stays securely in my 590.

 

[GRIZ22]

They would only be lower recoil because they have a lower payload and lower velocity which has nothing to do with the shell length. If the velocity and payload are the same as a 2-3/4" shell, then the recoil will be the same.

Well yes...but...they have a lower payload resulting in less recoil. The Herter's has only 6 pieces of 00 Buck.

 

[skeeterfogger]

First thing what is the effective use of a mini shot shell. Bet it's not any better then a 410 from a judge. Get a judge.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

First thing what is the effective use of a mini shot shell. Bet it's not any better then a 410 from a judge. Get a judge.

The Aguila Mini Buckshot Shell has seven #4 Buck and four #1 Buck pellets. That comes to a 19 gram payload moving at 1200FPS


The 410 Defense loads come in a few different sizes. The standard is three 000 buck moving at 850FPS.


I would take the 12ga Mini shell over the 410.

 

[Sistema1927]

Well yes...but...they have a lower payload resulting in less recoil. The Herter's has only 6 pieces of 00 Buck.

Only? Six .33" projectiles @ 1200 FPS is nothing to sneeze at.

Even the Aquila buckshot load is 7x #4 Buck (.24") plus 4x #1 Buck (.30") @ the same 1200 FPS. For the one who contends that the .410 Judge is better, check again.

 

[Sistema1927]

Gunny beat it to me (posted while I was double checking my sizes), and even included pictures.

 

[George P]

First thing what is the effective use of a mini shot shell. Bet it's not any better then a 410 from a judge. Get a judge.

Size of the shell has nothing to do with the ability of the payload. If it is moving birdshot or buckshot at 1200 or faster, it will do the same damage as a 2-3/4" shell with the same payload and velocity.

 

[GRIZ22]

Only? Six .33" projectiles @ 1200 FPS is nothing to sneeze at.

Even the Aquila buckshot load is 7x #4 Buck (.24") plus 4x #1 Buck (.30") @ the same 1200 FPS. For the one who contends that the .410 Judge is better, check again.

If you look at my prior post in this thread I said, "Anything hit by 6 pieces of OO Buck will swear it got hit by 9".

I was responding to GeorgeP's post informing him that the Herter's mini shells have a lighter payload resulting in less recoil.