Magnum Shotguns

booboo0115

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My Uncle shoots a 3 Inch Magnum and I'm wondering what makes it a magnum?

Does it have to do with the 3 inch chamber, or can you have a 2 3/4 inch magnum?
 
There are 2.75" Magnums too, as well as loads that have a higher velocity instead of the heavier payload that is usual.
 
Way back in the good old days when shotgunning first began the standard 12ga.load was 1 1/8 oz as powder development advanced it was possible to use slower burning powder hence lower pressure and presto along came 1 1/4 oz with the enhancement of even better powders along came 1 3/8oz 1 1/2oz and even 1 5/8 oz in the 2 3/4'' hull . The magnum description of the load was a sales marketing strategy that has worked quite well bigger is always better. so basically anything after the standard 1 1/4 oz was dubbed magnum. Obviously the 3'' hull fit in.
 
They are all Magnums these days.

Though 2-3/4" Magnum shells do exist, they have nothing to do with the Magnum nomenclature of an 870.

Before 1955, I think, only 2-3/4" chambered 870's were made. Wingmasters. When REM started producing 3" guns, they stamped them Remington 870 Magnum with an 'M' in the serial number to distinguish receivers.

What makes an 870 a Magnum? -- The combination of a 3" chambered barrel and 3" capable receiver with the correct size ejector.

There's no such thing as a 2-3/4" Magnum REM 870.
 
They are all Magnums these days.

Though 2-3/4" Magnum shells do exist, they have nothing to do with the Magnum nomenclature of an 870.

Before 1955, I think, only 2-3/4" chambered 870's were made. Wingmasters. When REM started producing 3" guns, they referred to them as Magnums and stamped an 'M' in the serial number to distinguish receivers. ie Marine Magnum, Police Magnum, 870 Magnum.

What makes an 870 a Magnum? -- The combination of a 3" chambered barrel and 3" capable receiver with the correct size ejector.

There's no such thing as a 2-3/4" Magnum REM 870.

Who said anything about an 870? Why do these posts alway's have to be about 870's?
 
I have some older CIL loads in 2 3/4". 3 1/4 Dram 1 1/4 oz. They are marked Magnum. And they are Magnum in every sense of the word.
 
yes thy are magnum shells .thy would be used for duck and goose hunting.were lite loads would be used for rabbits and birds .i still have lots of 2.75 inch shells that are magnums even SSG and slugs DUTCH
 
You can use any length of shell up to the maximum length of your chamber, but to use a 3" or 3 1/2" shell in a 2 3/4" chamber can result in dangerous pressure as the shot column attempts to pass through the shell crimp that is held partially closed by the end of the chamber. The term magnum when referring to shotguns most often refers to a heavier shot load and not necessarily to higher velocity, where as the term magnum in metallic cartridges most often refers to a cartridge that produces a higher velocity due to a greater powder capacity with any given bullet weight.

I used to have a high regard for the lead, ounce and a half baby magnum load in 2 3/4" shells and the 1 7/8 ounce loads in 3" shells. I have seen neither load in steel shot, but not being an enthusiastic shotgunner I may have just missed seeing them in bismuth or some other lead equivalent shotshell.
 
If you refer to SAAMI pressure maximums it is 11,500 psi for 12 gauge 2-3/4" and 3", 14,000 psi for 3.5".

In the case of 3" shells it really it just increased payload that is being offered. (normally with less velocity as well)
 
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